Bostonist: Grammar Police Destroy Public Art

cheap_robv

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:57:42 -0500

For those interested, the National Park Service sent me a photo of the sign: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rob_v/2796795964/ ~r

Rick Sawyer

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:55:06 -0500

Romulus, it's funny you should mention the word "emense," because that was the occasion of the most hilarious, self-satirizing quote from the asshats: I was reluctant to disfigure the sign any further, so we had to let the other typo stand. Still, I think I shall be haunted by that perversity. Haunted? Really?

captnitpick

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:42:48 -0500

There is no "supposedly" about the episode. They pleaded guilty to desecrating the sign.

romulus

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:31:00 -0500

According to the Globe, the sign reportedly included the word "emense". Now, so far, nobody has a picture of the sign they supposedly desecrated. Doesn't that seem awfully strange? Zebbler would be proud.

Korri Leigh Crowley

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:08:57 -0500

captnitpick's name is quite appropriate, but he is indeed right. I stand corrected.

captnitpick

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:55:27 -0500

It is not a complex sentence because it has two independent clauses with two different subjects: "Barely anyone" and "we." It is a compound sentence and needs a comma before the conjunction.

Kerry Skemp

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:51:23 -0500

a complex sentence is not a run-on sentence.

Rick Sawyer

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:41:33 -0500

I would argue that altering a historic sign's grammar demonstrates a remarkably narrow view of the evolution of English. Many rules of English grammar have been in place for centuries, but usage of punctuation marks, especially apostrophes, commas, semi-colons, and colons, has varied widely, even since the 18th century. Other rules, like the shibboleth against the split infinitive, have come in and out of style. Now, granted, the work in question was only 60-something years old, but if these dudes took a trip to Boston historical sites, would they take it upon themselves to "improve" 18th century grammar? And what about all of the misplaced commas in Shakespeare? It's one thing to "correct" public signage that has obviously missed a crucial step in copyediting, but quite another to alter a hand-painted work of art at a National Historical Landmark site. That's why they are asshats.

captnitpick

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:31:41 -0500

(unless that makes me a hero)

captnitpick

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:25:33 -0500

Barely anyone in this country can write properly and we are way too lax as a society when it comes to good grammar. Perhaps I shouldn't point out your run-on sentence.

Rick Sawyer

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:24:15 -0500

To clarify, the sign in the photo is not the sign the asshats defaced. The sign they defaced was a hand-painted part of Mary Colter's National Landmark artwork. It is possible that it was this sign here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7202153@N03/432043193/in/set-72157594580929633/

Jim Genzano

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:21:44 -0500

Korri Leigh Crowley

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:19:09 -0500

They are not 'asshats,' they are heroes. Barely anyone in this country can write properly and we are way too lax as a society when it comes to good grammar. They should not commit crimes or deface property to get their very valid point across, but their aim is valiant. Perhaps they could start up a letter writing campaign and bring all of the errors to the sign-owners attention? I agree with ich..derek, the Government just brought more attention to their own errors and wasted money and effort by pursuing the case.

captnitpick

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:03:14 -0500

If only these asshats could vandalize the internet. They could fix "Banditos Misteriosos" to read "Banditti Misteriosi" or "Bandidos Misteriosos," and I could finally have a good night's sleep.

ichheissederek

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:54:37 -0500

Great use of asshat! Really, I think this word is brilliant. Though I kind of disagree with your position. I'm very pro-grammar and really enjoy the idea of grammar superheros running around the nation and correcting imperfect signs. I think the government wasted time and money prosecuting them.

Kerry Skemp

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:27:19 -0500

i suppose they should have also inserted an 'of' into this bookplate: http://www.nps.gov/archive/grca/photos/colter/drawings/pages/13231.htm and added some m's into "accomodating": http://www.nps.gov/archive/grca/photos/colter/drawings/pages/16682.htm http://www.nps.gov/archive/grca/photos/colter/drawings/pages/16712.htm i can't read this enough to find something to correct, but it's awesome: http://www.nps.gov/archive/grca/photos/colter/drawings/pages/16958.htm