Problem:
I agree with John A. Challenger's take on how much importance should be given to grammar in his article titled "Consider the Candidate and the Position." He concludes that when it comes to a potential hire's knowledge of grammar, it does not make sense to give it much consideration if that knowledge has nothing to due with the job that individual is seeking. I agree with Challenger's opinion, and would also go as far as to not throw out resumes for simple spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. For example, a plumber or a butcher may not need to be highly functional in grammar to be able to carry out the general tasks required of those jobs. If I owned a butchery shop and had the choice between an employee with passable grammar and amazing butcher skills or an employee with passable butcher skills and amazing grammar, I would choose the former.
Naturally, my opinion comports with my core value of compassion, and this drives a lot of my feelings on the subject of language and power. I find it difficult to assign value to a person based on their language ability, and I do not believe that their ability is a measure of their overall intelligence or worth. I would want to empathize with that individual and consider the circumstances that brought them to their current understanding of language. However, I do understand that mastery of language grants power. Perhaps, the butcher with amazing grammar goes on to get an awesome writing job or office job - his language skills grant him larger mobility, and more potential power in the job market. Therefore, despite my core values personal opinions on language and power, I acknowledge the connection and thus push myself to achieve a high level of skill for my benefit.
Q1. How are your perspectives different?
Q2. What do you think is the source of the differences between you and your classmate's perspectives on grammar and professionalism?
Q3. What insight have you gained from reading about your classmate's perspective?
Q4. What insight might you offer your classmate regarding their perspective?