How casual
can we be when we write? This question has been in my mind ever since I entered
the writing sphere. Being a media patron, I have followed news since my school
days and I remember reading newspapers with a conventional writing style,
without the usage of the funkiness element. And maybe that is the era I am
still stuck at. Things have changed drastically over the years.
Today in the
web era, when I go though blogs, websites and even news portals, I notice such
drastic change of writing style. A very
important thing that I have learnt about writing is about connecting to
readers. I believe in writing my feelings the way readers want it to be written
and probably this same reason has compelled our writers to bring in this revolutionary
change in the writing sphere.
Today we see
slangs making its way into formal writing. Usage of SMS language, fusion
Hindi-English words and even smileys, everything finds its way into the writer’s
directory of words. But at times I wonder how correct is it? To what extent
should we give up our morals to connect to the readers? How much should we
commercialize our writing such that we give up our writing ethics to earn fame?
I am still clueless about it.
I categorize
writers into two categories; simple
language with content type and bombastic
language with bullshit type. There exists a third type, bombastic language with content, but
they are already legends, hence I would not comment upon it. But the sad part
is that the second category sells the most. By being simple and putting in
content, I believe all you can get is appreciation and a slight respect, but
when it comes to selling, it never works out. It is exactly like ‘Chennai
Express’ earning 300 Cr. Rupees while movies like ‘Madras Café’ struggling in
the market. At the back of the mind we always criticize and analyze what is
ideal, but move with the flow of the trend.
You get to
hear a lot. People label you as one of those vernacular types, because you
stick to the morals and you believe in simplicity. But what actually is even sadder
is the fact that even readers agree to it. A simple word like ‘fuck’ would gain
more attention than the world ‘moral’. Preferences have surely changed. I would
not say that its bad, but I would rather like to end by saying that, it shouldn’t
have been.
The deterioration of language in India is sad.
ReplyDeleteThere are times when newspapers and publications of record (like The Times, The Hindu etc) have to stick to their guns and not let the language they use crumble into worthless tripe. They can leave that writing style for tabloids. Unfortunately, our largest selling daily for one has decided that it must make money at all cost, so quality of content and prose have taken a back seat. I find it astounding how the grammar on much of their material on The Times website seems like it has not been edited at all!
Contrast that with the writing in The Washington Post and The New York Times and you realize how little respect we have for quality in India.
It won't be too bad if it changes. The writings are forms of art, which reflect the needs and wishes of people. If a language and a culture can adapt itself to some trend, it won't be bad; would it?
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