ROLE OF LANGUAGE / GRAMMAR IN COMMUNICATION

ROLE OF LANGUAGE / GRAMMAR IN COMMUNICATION

Communicators must understand the role and importance of language and use of proper grammar in enhancing their written communication skills:

(1) Importance of language
A Chinese sage of distant past was once asked by his disciples what he would do first if he was given the power to set right the affairs of the country. He answered, “I would certainly see that the language is used correctly”. “Surely”, said the disciples, “This is a trivial matter. Why should you deem it so important?” The Master replied, “If language is not used correctly, then what is said is not what is meant, then what ought to be done remains undone. If this remains undone, morals and art will be corrupted, justice will go astray. If justice goes astray, the people would stand about in helpless confusion”.

Lee Iacocca, the famous former CEO of Chrysler, USA emphasized it further, “You can have brilliant ideas but if you can‟t get them across, your ideas won‟t go anywhere”. It must be remembered that knowledge is nothing but messaging of information and communication; it is the only factor of production that is not subject to the law of diminishing returns.