Write an online opinion article aimed at an educated, non-specialist audience in which you
argue AGAINST using a standard or ‘correct’ variety of English.
The Guardian Online
Should we worry about whether it's wrong or write?
Let's block out the noise of auto-corrects and fiends on the internet informing
us of our "incorrect language." It's time to stop listening, and to start writing.
By Sophie Holland
Sat 17 2026 13:00 BST
Excellent headline and subheading!
We've all been there. You're passionately discussing one of your interests with fellow
colleagues/classmates/family/friends and suddenly you hear the dreaded noise... laughter.
Not at a particularly funny joke that's been said, not a laugh of connection, but one of
mockery.
'What did I say?' You sit there thinking. But don't worry you'll be told soon enough.
Didn't you know? You don't pronounce the 'l' in 'Salmon'.
Suddenly you can kiss goodbye to your reputation (reputation?) – and to your fabulous
conversation on the ethics and impacts of farming wild fish (of course) - because the next
hour will be entirely centred on your slip of the tongue, or differing pronunciation.
And this isn't limited to spoken conversations, from the big red crosses in your homework
because you wrote 'their' when you were supposed to write 'there,' to Microsoft Word
declaring it's "organize" not "organise," or simply because you left out a comma which
apparently rendered your sentence illegible. Excellent examples and use of humour
Is this really our main concern?
In a world full of poverty, collapsing ecosystems, and all-time high living costs, why are we
all so worried about sticking to the constantly fluctuating rules and pronunciations of the
mashup of languages that is English? Clearly appeals to the reader
Don't get me wrong, we all have our moments. I applaud the saint that has never once had
to bite their tongue over someone else flouting a grammatical/phonetical/orthographical
argue AGAINST using a standard or ‘correct’ variety of English.
The Guardian Online
Should we worry about whether it's wrong or write?
Let's block out the noise of auto-corrects and fiends on the internet informing
us of our "incorrect language." It's time to stop listening, and to start writing.
By Sophie Holland
Sat 17 2026 13:00 BST
Excellent headline and subheading!
We've all been there. You're passionately discussing one of your interests with fellow
colleagues/classmates/family/friends and suddenly you hear the dreaded noise... laughter.
Not at a particularly funny joke that's been said, not a laugh of connection, but one of
mockery.
'What did I say?' You sit there thinking. But don't worry you'll be told soon enough.
Didn't you know? You don't pronounce the 'l' in 'Salmon'.
Suddenly you can kiss goodbye to your reputation (reputation?) – and to your fabulous
conversation on the ethics and impacts of farming wild fish (of course) - because the next
hour will be entirely centred on your slip of the tongue, or differing pronunciation.
And this isn't limited to spoken conversations, from the big red crosses in your homework
because you wrote 'their' when you were supposed to write 'there,' to Microsoft Word
declaring it's "organize" not "organise," or simply because you left out a comma which
apparently rendered your sentence illegible. Excellent examples and use of humour
Is this really our main concern?
In a world full of poverty, collapsing ecosystems, and all-time high living costs, why are we
all so worried about sticking to the constantly fluctuating rules and pronunciations of the
mashup of languages that is English? Clearly appeals to the reader
Don't get me wrong, we all have our moments. I applaud the saint that has never once had
to bite their tongue over someone else flouting a grammatical/phonetical/orthographical
