From Amy Dickinson of Ask Amy:
Dear Amy: I am dating a very, very nice man. We get along fabulously and have for the last year. There’s just one problem: his language skills. He was not taught to speak properly in his youth, whereas in my family I was taught correctly, though I’m definitely not linguistically perfect either.
For example, he consistently uses the wrong verb tenses in speech, incorrect words such as “hisself” instead of “himself.”
I am uncomfortable with his lack of language skills, yet also uncomfortable with correcting him (I don’t want to treat him like a child and interject when he errs).
I’ve gently, carefully and privately corrected him once or twice, but he’s been embarrassed, and it doesn’t seem to make any difference as he continues to make the same language mistakes.
I guess I have options: just get over it, try to fix it or move on and find someone else.
I’m in my early 30s and reluctant to reject a good, kind man because of this seemingly small thing, but it is an increasing concern for me. I can’t imagine raising children in an environment where incorrect English is spoken!
What do you think I should do?
—Loss for Words
(read Amy’s Answer here…)
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