PH's; Communication or spelling/grammar test?
Discussion
I have been a contributor on here for little more than a couple of years now and it still amazes me that some feel the need to criticise others inadequate spelling and punctuation etc.
What is the point?
As long as the sentiment/idea/point etc. is conveyed, does it really matter?
Are people that are good at English better people than those that are not?
Just gets my goat that is all.
I write as well as I can and am particular with regards to my spelling but would never embarrass another by pointing out their inadequacies or shortfalls in this department.
I guess this is another demonstration of small mindedness hiding behind a key board.
What is the point?
As long as the sentiment/idea/point etc. is conveyed, does it really matter?
Are people that are good at English better people than those that are not?
Just gets my goat that is all.
I write as well as I can and am particular with regards to my spelling but would never embarrass another by pointing out their inadequacies or shortfalls in this department.
I guess this is another demonstration of small mindedness hiding behind a key board.
Depends how it is conveyed.
Sometimes people are trying to be helpful, other times it is purely to take the piss.
Most frustrating is txt spk, just because it is so bloody hard to read!
My spelling and grammar is by no means perfect, but if I consistently make the same error I'd actually be grateful if someone would point it out, then I can stop doing it. How I communicate makes a big difference in my day-to-day life, so any improvements I can make will benefit me.
But I appreciate that other people don't mind/don't care, which is fair enough too.
Sometimes people are trying to be helpful, other times it is purely to take the piss.
Most frustrating is txt spk, just because it is so bloody hard to read!
My spelling and grammar is by no means perfect, but if I consistently make the same error I'd actually be grateful if someone would point it out, then I can stop doing it. How I communicate makes a big difference in my day-to-day life, so any improvements I can make will benefit me.
But I appreciate that other people don't mind/don't care, which is fair enough too.
Indeed. My attitude is that typing on PH is NOT writing a book, or an essay, or a report for work, it's a conversation, in which typos are going to occur and should be forgiven. It's frankly a PITA when certain people feel the need to disrupt the flow of the thread to make frankly irrelevant comments about spelling and grammar. Get a life FFS....would they do that in a real conversation? "It's bath, not barth....anyway as you were saying"......
Contrariwise it amazes me that people can be so lackadaisical about their spelling, grammar and punctuation. I'm more than happy to cut those who genuinely appear to have difficulties some slack, but in those cases where I suspect it's sheer bloody laziness than I shall, from time to time, have a pop. Why should anyone take what you have to post seriously if you can't even be arsed to read over it before hitting 'submit'?
For me it's only the posts that are obviously strung together with no effort or thought that annoy me slightly. But I've always been fairly good at reading, writing and spelling and it all comes naturally to me, so I can't understand the reasoning for typing like a retarded seven year old.
Sure, if I'm having a conversation on MSN or the like I don't bother with puncutation and let the odd spelling mistake slip, but that's because I'm talking to friends who don't care. On a forum it's complete strangers, and if you want help or advice, an answer to your question or your view to be respected then it's common sense that writing well is necessary.
Sure, if I'm having a conversation on MSN or the like I don't bother with puncutation and let the odd spelling mistake slip, but that's because I'm talking to friends who don't care. On a forum it's complete strangers, and if you want help or advice, an answer to your question or your view to be respected then it's common sense that writing well is necessary.
GTWayne said:
I have been a contributor on here for little more than a couple of years now and it still amazes me that some feel the need to criticise others inadequate spelling and punctuation etc.
What is the point?
As long as the sentiment/idea/point etc. is conveyed, does it really matter?
Are people that are good at English better people than those that are not?
Just gets my goat that is all.
I write as well as I can and am particular with regards to my spelling but would never embarrass another by pointing out their inadequacies or shortfalls in this department.
I guess this is another demonstration of small mindedness hiding behind a key board.
Seems a fair point.What is the point?
As long as the sentiment/idea/point etc. is conveyed, does it really matter?
Are people that are good at English better people than those that are not?
Just gets my goat that is all.
I write as well as I can and am particular with regards to my spelling but would never embarrass another by pointing out their inadequacies or shortfalls in this department.
I guess this is another demonstration of small mindedness hiding behind a key board.
Let's not descend into text speak though, please.
Darkslider said:
For me it's only the posts that are obviously strung together with no effort or thought that annoy me slightly. But I've always been fairly good at reading, writing and spelling and it all comes naturally to me, so I can't understand the reasoning for typing like a retarded seven year old.
Sure, if I'm having a conversation on MSN or the like I don't bother with puncutation and let the odd spelling mistake slip, but that's because I'm talking to friends who don't care. On a forum it's complete strangers, and if you want help or advice, an answer to your question or your view to be respected then it's common sense that writing well is necessary.
Watch out, just one mistake can make a post totally illegible. I mean really can't you even spell punctuation?Sure, if I'm having a conversation on MSN or the like I don't bother with puncutation and let the odd spelling mistake slip, but that's because I'm talking to friends who don't care. On a forum it's complete strangers, and if you want help or advice, an answer to your question or your view to be respected then it's common sense that writing well is necessary.
GTWayne said:
I have been a contributor on here for little more than a couple of years now and it still amazes me that some feel the need to criticise others inadequate spelling and punctuation etc.
What is the point?
As long as the sentiment/idea/point etc. is conveyed, does it really matter?
Are people that are good at English better people than those that are not?
Just gets my goat that is all.
I write as well as I can and am particular with regards to my spelling but would never embarrass another by pointing out their inadequacies or shortfalls in this department.
I guess this is another demonstration of small mindedness hiding behind a key board.
I disagree - it's a sign of laziness, ignorance and general small mindedness. I appreciate that some people find spelling very difficult, and I don't think anyone picks up on simple typos, but some of the nonsense that gets typed is appalling.What is the point?
As long as the sentiment/idea/point etc. is conveyed, does it really matter?
Are people that are good at English better people than those that are not?
Just gets my goat that is all.
I write as well as I can and am particular with regards to my spelling but would never embarrass another by pointing out their inadequacies or shortfalls in this department.
I guess this is another demonstration of small mindedness hiding behind a key board.
Surely if a grown adult can't be bothered to construct sentences in their native language then they and their opinions do not deserve to be given equal respect to people who at least make a good attempt at it.
You Write:
"i gon to the shops n i sor this guy what was driving a fiesta he said to me hav you got a tenner m8 i siad yeah but you need to pay it back or ill fukin nobl ya"
I Read:
"I am thick. Ignore me."
Of course - correcting an otherwise perfectly good post to point out that sentance is actually spelt sentence is very petty.
TheCaseAce said:
Of course - correcting an otherwise perfectly good post to point out that sentance is actually spelt sentence is very petty.
I agree. If everyone was as anal about it as some are on here the forum would rapidly grind to a halt. I dislike text speak, but making a mountain out of a mole hill over s single wrong letter in someones post strikes me a stupid and petty. And frankly won't do any good anyway. As IMO they can sod off in any case.
Edited by Timmy35 on Friday 5th September 13:23
There's a difference between the odd typo, and a stream-of-consciousness block of text full of misspellings, abbreviations and no punctuation. Even if the meaning is more-or-less clear, it makes it hard to read and the chances of people bothering to wade through something doesn't scan easily is greatly reduced.
Like it or not, this is a written medium and clear writing will get your message across more quickly to more people and with less chance of misunderstanding.
Like it or not, this is a written medium and clear writing will get your message across more quickly to more people and with less chance of misunderstanding.
If the point is communication then it is much easier to communicate with proper spelling, punctuation and grammar. It is considered to be impolite to point out failings in another's post, but a flagrant disregard for the written language is just as impolite. It is the written equivalent of turning up for a job interview wearing Bermuda shorts and a ripped t-shirt.
But this is merely a chat; not literature. Mistakes happen. I tend to view the whole argument with floccinauccinihilipilification.
But this is merely a chat; not literature. Mistakes happen. I tend to view the whole argument with floccinauccinihilipilification.
MonkeyBusiness said:
Will there be a time where people realise that the whole point of having a written language is so that it can be read by others?
To be fair though, the spelling conventions of the English language(s) are a royal PITA. Some might claim them to be of historical interest only.Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff