Xmas greetings from Nicola (but it looks like the Grinch has stolen her apostrophe!)
IN keeping with the time of year, it is a festive gesture of goodwill to all.
But despite its cheery design, Nicola Sturgeon’s Christmas card, which she revealed yesterday, seems to have fallen short of grammatical excellence.
For although it carries the well-intentioned message of ‘Seasons Greetings’, sticklers for correct punctuation have noticed that an apostrophe is missing.
As the grammar website Grammarly points out: ‘The correct formatting is “Season’s Greetings” – with the apostrophe. The apostrophe tells us that the greetings are regarding the current season (and all the holidays in it).’
The Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries also agree that the apostrophe is correct.
The design by artist Emily Hogarth, chosen by the First Minister, features Scottish landmarks and symbols, such as the Finnieston Crane and SEC Armadillo venue in Glasgow, and the thistle. Ms Sturgeon said: ‘I am thrilled to have such a striking design for my Christmas card this year.
‘Emily Hogarth’s artwork celebrates just a few of the things that make Scotland special, and there’s no better time of year to stop and reflect on the things that make our lives a little brighter.
‘I hope that this card will help to lift people’s spirits, spread some festive cheer and most importantly remind us all that better days are ahead.’
Ms Hogarth, who is based in Musselburgh, East Lothian, said: ‘I felt very honoured to be selected. It’s been lovely to work with the Scottish Government in the past, but to be chosen by the First Minister to do the Christmas card felt very special.
‘It’s more important than ever that we focus on the little things that make life better, whether that’s receiving a nice card or having chats with your friends.’
However, the missing apostrophe has irked grammar purists, who said it was a sign of declining standards in education.
Chris McGovern, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, said: ‘Sadly, this is a symptom of a continuing decline in literacy in Scotland. It’s pretty serious. If you have a First Minister who wants to improve standards but cannot even put an apostrophe in the right place, is it any wonder?
‘The thing is, she will also have staff, who will have checked this and they did not see the mistake either. So it’s not just Nicola Sturgeon, it’s worse than that.
‘It’s a symptom of a much wider malaise in the Scottish education system.’
The Scottish Conservatives said: ‘Is it any wonder Scotland’s education standards are falling when the First Minister cannot even get the grammar right on her Christmas card?’