In “The Phenomenology of Error” Joseph Williams defines the word construct: “as a set of ideas woven together over time until they seem inevitable.” He also says that writing errors should be seen as social constructs. By this I think Williams means that writing errors are a problematic exchange between the reader and the writer. Williams says that a social error is a violation of personal space, but what defines personal space? Personal space is a matter of opinion. What offends one person, may not offend another. So, one person may recognize one thing as a grammar error and another person may not. It is all a matter of opinion and it depends if you’re looking for error or not. If you are looking for errors in writing or social situations, you will be likely to find them. When you are not looking you may overlook something.
This relates to the uncertainty of Wikipedia because anyone can make mistakes. Like anyone can create a Wikipedia article. Knowing that an average Joe with no background could put up information about something they may or may not know much about scares people and makes them question the credibility of the content. The proof the Wikipedia doesn’t have many more mistakes then the encyclopedia just reinforces Williams’ point that anyone can make an error. I think he was trying to say people trust the scholars and teachers and English books too much. Just because “the teacher says so” doesn’t always necessarily mean it is always correct. I think people still do not trust Wikipedia because it is not a concrete published (on paper) source. It can change at any given time and anyone has the power to do so. But in this article Williams proves, just because it is published, and by a credible author, doesn’t always mean it is error free.
I agree with you. In the article Williams compare a few of the similiarites between violations in writing and violations in personal space. They are both different from person to person. Also, the article does show how the credibility of a source or "teacher" does influence us. Sure wikipedia still doesn't have the societal credibility say as a textbook, but that doesn't necessarily make the information on there inaccurate.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your interpretation of William's message. I felt that you touched more deeply upon the purpose for this article. The idea of personal space is something that we should all explore with our own writing and I believe that Williams implied that errors exist within one's own personal space only if another individual should observe it as an error. Ultimately, it is as you stated, we each have our own opinions that further establish our preconceived standards of what is correct or no.
ReplyDeleteI like how you are bringing personal space into this and talking about what might offend one, may not offend another. It's just a matter of opinion, how you were raised or taught with this teacher or that.. can definitely impact what errors you pick up on, or what errors you just use everyday in writing. I also am on your side when it came to people not giving credibility to W because it is not on a concrete published piece of paper.
ReplyDeleteI total agree that Williams was trying to say people trust the scholars and teachers and English books entirely too much and tend to over look some of the errors in their writing as well.
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