Stephen Fry on Language

This is an interesting 'essay' on language by Stephen Fry, the British actor, writer, journalist, comedian, television presenter, and film and football club director. He attacks those self-acclaimed 'guardians' of language who claim to be defending its proper form when they correct others' everyday use of language; he says that these elitist defenders seek out every opportunity to correct others but they do not appreciate the beauty of language themselves. Language is a communication medium-- it should not matter whether we are using the appropriate word to convey a particular meaning, it should only matter that we are understood. Very interesting viewpoint, because, on occasion, I admit I can be one the elitist 'rude and haughty' types who frown upon those whose use of language is not 'right' or 'proper'. This has got me reconsidering..