The Generation Gap

A couple of weeks ago I came across this article which has caused a lot of conversation in lessons – it’s about the skills I, a Baby Boomer (born 1946 – 1964), possess which Millennials (born 1981 – 1996) just won’t use. With no technology around, we grew up doing things quite differently …

https://za.investing.com/magazine/boomer-skills-millennials-just-wont-use/

I suppose this defines the Generation Gap, a term for which I couldn’t think of the German translation when I started to write this today. When I looked it up, I was a bit surprised to read ‘Generationsproblem’ or ‘Generationskonflikt’ which I find pretty negative for a phrase which could be looked at positively too. I mean, who needs to spend a sunny day ironing or read a map before a long journey? The latter was the cause of a whole load of arguments I can tell you and non-iron clothes are just wonderful!

Of course the question of correct or casual grammar is one which is being widely discussed in my profession today. When I was young, it was important to write neatly and correctly. However, with the arrival of AI and casual texting, does it really matter if your grammar isn’t perfect as long as the communicative style is up to scratch (passend)? I personally think that it’s important to have learned correct grammar but not to let perceived incorrect grammar ruin your confidence in an important meeting or business conversation.

And despite Instagram, it’s still nice to receive handwritten postcards as well as birthday and Christmas cards. I was glad to read in the article ‘perhaps this quaint (urig) trend should be revived’.