I’ve been seeing a lot of posts recently dismissing the importance of language and grammar, claiming it’s elitist and outdated to focus on the rules of communication. So OBVIOUSLY, I have something to say about that…
You can say grammar doesn’t matter, spelling doesn’t matter, it’s the message that matters, not the way it’s delivered… but it’s usually people who struggle with writing who argue those points. It’s ok to not be an amazing writer, but discounting its value doesn’t make your opinion a fact.
Recognizing that you need someone to translate your genius into words is a strength, not a weakness. Ignoring the importance of language risks your message never being fully understood. When someone says the focus on language is arrogant (or worse, ableist), they’re ignoring the fact that precision creates accessibility. Clear, thoughtful writing respects your audience. It invites them in, regardless of their background or ability.
And every industry has its rules, its structures, its tools. You wouldn’t want an architect to skip the blueprints and just go with the vibe of a design, would you? Would you trust a surgeon who just grabbed any old tool to slice you open? No? Then why would you trust a message to land without the right words, punctuation, and nuance? The beauty of well-written language is that you don’t even realize it’s so good, so you just totally forget the impact it’s having. You have no idea why something you read just “feels right,” do you?
Language is what makes industries work. Finance depends on airtight contracts, tech relies on documentation that’s clear enough to teach a machine, all our entertainment thrives on scripts that keep us hooked. To pretend language doesn’t underpin all of it denies how much of the world is built on words.
And honestly, every industry is totally absurd when you think about it. . . We’re all little self-important ants scurrying around, building wee empires out of deadlines and deliverables. But within that absurdity, there’s meaning, and writing is what gives shape to it. It’s how we connect, persuade, entertain, and build trust.
So no, being precise about language isn’t ridiculous, and it’s not elitist or ableist. It’s the foundation of ANY message worth sharing. Because if your words don’t land, neither will your ideas, and no amount of pearl clutching about grammar or spelling being unimportant will fix that.
