Immigration: Algebra Problem

Rules Of Grammar Dept: "I am just frustrated," he wrote, "that I cannot improve my English because no one seems to be able to help me or my students." His first message, written in a clear and forthright style, contained seven uses of the word "rules.", according to Montreal Gazette. P took exception to the idea. "It now makes sense to me," he bitterly suggested. "To speak English the way people do here is part of being politically correct. Do not offend anyone by speaking proper English." In his homeland, by contrast, "speaking and writing properly is not considered pedantic and an attempt to be setting oneself above other people, but simply to be well educated." And he added: "I thought that your column is supposed to point out the mistakes people make and correct them because you care about the proper use of English." What do you want from a language columnist? That's a serious question, folks. It's been on my mind this week after a testy exchange with a reader whom I'll identify only as P. An immigrant from Central Europe, he teaches high school math and science, and he complained to me that English-speaking Montrealers are ignorant of the rules of their language. "I respect and admire your concern for the language and for your students," I replied. But I suggested that the rules of language are fundamentally different from the rules of math. A typical algebra problem has only one right answer; anything else is wrong. Language isn't like that. I don't scorn the rules of grammar, I told P, but I don't believe they should be set on a pedestal. "What matters most is the ability to express oneself eloquently, in a range of idioms. The way I would address a 5-year-old child is not the way I would address a prime minister." As reported in the news.
@t high school math, language columnist