Quality of written English in topics.

[2ndMessiah 184]

Maybe I am getting old, or maybe I'm just not into twenty first century communications, but it appears to me the quality of written English is very poor.

Now I accept typing mistakes, I even accept errors in grammar as I know mine is poor. I do strive to inprove it but fail repeatedly.

When I see spelling like this:

but dt z if she z really desperate...other than dat...deni guess

I wonder really what is going on.

Is this just some derivative of texting?

Is this actually how they where taught to spell?

Is it just some lazy cultural thing I am missing completely?

Is this how English is actually taught in some parts of the world?

No doubt my post will be corrected by others, and Im happy for them to do so. It allows me see my errors. The above quote just comes across as lazy to me.

Edited December 26, 2010 by 2ndMessiah

[Pooky 3,784]

Maybe I am getting old, or maybe I'm just not into twenty first century communications, but it appears to me the quality of written English is very poor.

Now I accept typing mistakes, I even accept errors in grammar as I know mine is poor. I do strive to inprove it but fail repeatedly.

When I see spelling like this:

I wonder really what is going on.

Is this just some derivative of texting?

Is this actually how they where taught to spell?

Is it just some lazy cultural thing I am missing completely?

Is this how English is actually taught in some parts of the world?

No doubt my post will be corrected by others, and Im happy for them to do so. It allows me see my errors. The above quote just comes across as lazy to me.

In the spirit of cooperation, your written English needs to improve.

Most people treat a medium like this as informal communication and so don't give it the time and effort a formal letter might warrant. Occasionally, I like to mess with people and correct things within posts, when there is some comedic value to be derived, but I don't make a habit of it, as I am not an English teacher, nor do I play one on TV.

The other thing you need to remember is that most people write in American, not English.

[Brad and Vika 129]

The problem is that sometimes it can be difficult to understand what the posting member is saying, or asking. A topic titled HELP (for example), followed by some garbled up text can be confusing, and I think that the responses sometimes cause a member to give up.

[peejay 327]

In the spirit of cooperation, your written English needs to improve.

Most people treat a medium like this as informal communication and so don't give it the time and effort a formal letter might warrant. Occasionally, I like to mess with people and correct things within posts, when there is some comedic value to be derived, but I don't make a habit of it, as I am not an English teacher, nor do I play one on TV.

The other thing you need to remember is that most people write in American, not English.

In America we use American English, but it still is English and has clear rules for correct usage. Of course all of us are guilty of clowning around with written text for comedic effect or accidently mispell words. The problem occurs when people become so accustomed to it written the wrong way that they begin to associate the wrong way as being correct.

I have noticed that Firfox has a spellcheck and correction feature that Internet Explorer lacks. For people that are horrible spellers it might help them to look less uneducated.

[Pooky 3,784]

I have noticed that Firfox has a spellcheck and correction feature that Internet Explorer lacks.

You sure about that?

Of course all of us are guilty of clowning around with written text for comedic effect or accidently mispell words.

And how do you misspell the word "misspell?" Did you do it accidentally?

Edited December 26, 2010 by Pooky

[chri'stina 190]

On an international forum, you should expect to see some improper English when it's not the first language for many of the members. Yet some people native to English have horrible spelling and grammar around here anyway. Text style writing outside of texts can be annoying, for sure. U no wut im sayin!! gr8.

[peejay 327]

You sure about that?

Yes I am. I was using Internet Explorer at the time.

Edited December 26, 2010 by peejay

[2ndMessiah 184]

In the spirit of cooperation, your written English needs to improve.

Most people treat a medium like this as informal communication and so don't give it the time and effort a formal letter might warrant. Occasionally, I like to mess with people and correct things within posts, when there is some comedic value to be derived, but I don't make a habit of it, as I am not an English teacher, nor do I play one on TV.

The other thing you need to remember is that most people write in American, not English.

Yes, thank you for pointing out my typing error.

I was expecting a "dont throw stones in glass house" response.

[2ndMessiah 184]

Yes, forums are an informal medium, and I dont expect letter writing formality. I dont know the nationality of the person who wrote it. To me, it comes across as poorly educated, and as stated by someone elsewhere in this forum topic, makes me a lot less inclined to read it, translate it and answer it.

I also do make mistakes, typo's and struggle with grammar. Also I feel there is a differnce between poor spelling and just trying to come across "Ghetto".

English, American English, there are spelling differences and these I understand (even correcting them in my head).

Colour to me will always be spelt colour and never color.

[SuperDuper! 230]

I agree with the majority here. Posting on a forum is considered an informal form of communication, so creeateve spellin' is expected. Much more so on an international forum like vj.

Just know this as sure the wind blowzzzz. If your spouse starts a nit-pickin' on your spellin' and nags ya for leavin' the top off the toothpaste, ya better take a serious soul searching....Relationship killer warning in effect.

Happy New Year!

[thongd4me 69]

Maybe I am getting old, or maybe I'm just not into twenty first century communications, but it appears to me the quality of written English is very poor.

Now I accept typing mistakes, I even accept errors in grammar as I know mine is poor. I do strive to inprove it but fail repeatedly.

When I see spelling like this:

I wonder really what is going on.

Is this just some derivative of texting?

Is this actually how they where taught to spell?

Is it just some lazy cultural thing I am missing completely?

Is this how English is actually taught in some parts of the world?

No doubt my post will be corrected by others, and Im happy for them to do so. It allows me see my errors. The above quote just comes across as lazy to me.

I think that improvised modification of language is a time-honored tradition.

Many folks over 80 yrs old (my mom included) will use such terms as:

"whozeewhatzis" (what's-his-name)

"whatchamacallit" (whatever-that's-called)

to update those, we might end up with "whozis"? & "watchit"?

Now practice those in the the accent of a classic English butler...

[2ndMessiah 184]

I think that improvised modification of language is a time-honored tradition.

Many folks over 80 yrs old (my mom included) will use such terms as:

"whozeewhatzis" (what's-his-name)

"whatchamacallit" (whatever-that's-called)

to update those, we might end up with "whozis"? & "watchit"?

Now practice those in the the accent of a classic English butler...

You are commenting on regional accents and slang. If you heard my speech pattern, you might have at times big problems matching it up to the written word.

Written English changes all the time. It needs to, to evolve and meet the needs of the time but when the written word is so distorted and doesnt match the current lexicon, you might as well be writing a foreign language.

Well my rant is over. Thanks all those who took the time to reply, those who corrected my typing errors and those who told me Its American English here.

Happy whatever holiday you celebrate at this time of year and good luck in whatever part of the immigration train you are on.