Monday, Indianapolis, Indiana

It was 180 years ago today that Noah Webster published the first dictionary of the English Language. For generations Webster’ Dictionary was our principle source for understanding words. Until the age of the Internet and the ease of Google, the dictionary was it - the essential resource for vocabulary. It was required reading for every school child in a time when competence with the English language was demanded. Being educated meant competence with our language, including it’s proper usage - grammar.

“…I never had went there before…”

“…a large amount of people showed up…”

It seems almost quaint now in a time when we seem to celebrate speech that is so casual that it violates all grammatical rules. Listen to the language you hear in casual conversations, speaking with service people in stores or on the phone. Common conversation makes vividly clear that millions of people simply did not pay attention in their English classes through a decade of schooling.

“…this is your guys time…”

“…the team are all ready…”

Even if you are not a grammar aficionado yourself, most of us can feel the cringe when we hear someone butcher the language. This is not to say there aren’t times when intentionally casual speech is fine. But if an individual cannot switch between informal speech and proper grammar when professionally necessary, it is a sure career show-stopper. And this limitation affects a lot of people with college degrees.

“…between you and I…”

“…they didn’t except my credit card…”

While this might seem a petty point, slovenly communication seriously inhibits a person’s ability to succeed in most professions. In fact in surveys, employers list poor grammar and spelling as the main reason they pass over a resume.

What’s sad is that when a person demonstrates such limitations in their communication, it not only exposes their lack of cultivation, but it’s unlikely that anyone will be kind enough to point it out to them. People who speak poorly rarely hear feedback that their language is holding them back.

I am no model of perfection. I frequently use the phrase “with him and I” instead of “him and me.” Thankfully my wife Sally, an elementary school principal, reminds me gently and I have mostly corrected the error. In fact, she tells me that the number one item missed on school achievement tests in misuse of the personal pronoun.

It’s become clear to me over the years that polished language is a critical asset for anyone’s career and life.

“…but comparing to me, he don’t talk too good…”

If you career is stalled, might be time to breeze through the classic Webster tome and perhaps your fourth grade grammar text. It will pay off. You get a job, a raise and the respect that you have become a real good talker!