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Are Spelling, Punctuation, Capitalization, and Grammar No Longer Taught in School

I know I'm not the best speller in the world, but I usually use correct English grammar and try to use proper punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. For some reason, these skills seem to be lost on this forum. I'm not talking about people for whom English is not their primary language. Either our education system is failing badly, or something else is going on, but I cannot believe how many people can hardly write a coherent sentence.

Comments

Torgo

Agreed. But I hate to point out that you omitted the question mark from the subject line of your post!

Torgo

So you can't use question marks in a title? The title to a post seems the same as the headline for a newspaper article, where a question mark is reasonable to print.

bulldog69

I think it is taught but when people use phones it's much easier to leave out and skip some things to speed up the process of posting and on to the next chore of the day. Just a guess

commonsense101

u must be knew here, wlcm 2 teh internetz.

SallyC

Oh man, I feel this one!

Sometimes it makes it really difficult to figure out what a person is asking or saying. Sentences run on, have no punctuation and words are spelled phonetically just to be cool (I guess). I find it can be fatiguing to sort through and try and mentally translate into the noun-verb language I understand. I realize that sometimes it's difficult to input all the commas and such on a mobile device,but although keyboards and input methods have really improved, it seems like output looks the same.

I don't want to be the English Grammar Nazi about it but it would be greatly appreciated if people would at least try.

Cody21

lol ... and then there's SWYPE ... don't get me started on issues using THAT !!

B33

Well Noted an Agreed an if think i'm a little off on my Words i put the Droids to Work! i say the Word it shows me the Correct Spelling. An if it is still off i will Correct it till it's Right.. B33

B33

Cody did you get your Maxx figured out you having with it..

Cody21

@B33 - yes, I have it figured out after going to the Verizon store and seeing how the 1 they had there performed next to mine ... I guess we'll just call this "weirdness of glowing" a feature. I'm mushing through some other stuff ... I'm having separation anxiety from my trusty DX though .

verizonmoderator1

<Discussion moved to the Off-Topic Lounge from the Droid Razr space.>

<Everyone, please remember to keep it courteous.>

sunybeaches

tru and iz gud 2 sifur many lingos wn txtin stay current rt?

sunybeaches

I write based on the intended audience

sunybeaches

Do you have difficulty in translation of the text language the author uses? Consider learning the language. Surely you know the author of the texts with which you take offense, correct? Perhaps it is some group company type texting with which you refer. Consider a courteous private discussion, Sir, with the author of the texts with which you take offense. If that is not an option, Sir, which would certainly be a curious conundrum, which certainly you must know the author of the texts YOU ARE READING, I suggest you get more familiar with the author. Since you appreciate educated communication skills, I cannot fathom why you would be in communication with an author of a text that you consider less than educated. Much of the most acclaimed American and English literature has been written by authors communicating to the intended audience. Those that are unable to understand the language the author uses don't take the time to finish the book, and often are less educated by "throwing the book at it", or by not taking on the challenge to finish the book. Get to know the author. If you take offense with the language the author uses, you must not be apart of the intended audience and therefore shouldn't read it. DELETE IT. FORGET IT. DON'T COMMUNICATE WITH THEM. WHY WOULD YOU? UNLESS YOU ARE THEIR EMPLOYER, BOSS AND/OR PAYING THEIR BILLS, IN WHICH CASE YOU CAN DEMAND THEY CLEAN UP THEIR TEXT LANGUAGE, GIVE AN EDUCATIONAL TEXT CLASS, OR FIRE THEM. I SUGGEST YOU STICK TO COMMUNICATION WITH THOSE THAT ARE ON YOUR EDUCATIONAL LEVEL.

mikedamirault

I have to agree with jimfitzgerald about this

Now I am guilty myself about using improper punctuation (as you can tell from most of my posts, there's never a period and way to many commas), but that is usually due to the fact that I am not sure where to put a period or when/when not to use a comma

What really gets me is improper spelling and improper use of words like "Their, There, and They're", like "Their always like that" instead of "They're always like that", or using ebonics or shortened words (like "r" instead of "our") when replying to somebody's post or even starting a thread/post, this kind of stuff is fine in text messages and messengers/chat, but not on a forum

The way I see it, how am I supposed to trust somebody that doesn't at least try to use proper english, or at least look somewhat professional when they reply? If they can't figure out how to spell most simple words, or don't take the time to make sure that their post/reply is readable/legible, how am I supposed to trust what they're saying, or if they even know what they are talking about? I know there is no correlation between the two, but it usually seems/feels that way

SuzyQ

Don't get me started.... it's not just this forum. Newspaper articles, websites, "professional" advertisements that obviously were not proofread by anyone halfway competent...

Wildman

I guess I must have developed a habit of simply dealing with the situation of interpreting what a user meant to say...

I know sometimes users may mistype or put something out of contents when they are inputting information in a hurry or allow auto correct to complete their sentence and I cant say I am perfect to always make things clear but sometimes its a simple mistake and that happens.

askjeeves

You know, I agree with you. I'm 19, and when I talk to people online that are my age, and even sometimes older, I feel like I'm in Idiocracy. They all talk like: "yo, dawg u was liek so drunck laste nite. i cant belive u did dat."

Obviously I do not have perfect spelling or punctuation, but I think I'm at least smarter than that.

And I know i'm not that smart.

Which really worries me. If i'm above-average according to test scores and english skills, then what is the world coming to?

AZSALUKI

i think this is part of the issue. people now type just like they talk. slang has always been somewhat acceptable when speaking. however, it seems like we used to at least type properly. now, it seems as though people type exactly as they talk. i know i'm guilty of poor grammar rules when typing (i never take the time to capitalize.....i just don't), but i still try to properly annunciate what i'm trying to say. for the record, the way i just spelled annunciate is correct. yet there is a red line under it when i type, indicating it is misspelled. maybe our pc's aren't even sure anymore....."lol"

and yes...the young generation will lack communication skills as a result of technology. my son doesn't even talk to his friends. they text or IM....period. everything he texts is in the texting style of shorthand as well. he knows proper grammar, but at some point they will lose that grammar as they text in shorthand more and more.

Wildman

You can thank ebonics for this one, a dictionary of street slang being viewed as a actual language or method used for everyday conversation... That's basically where our world is going.

SuzyQ

AZSALUKI wrote:
i still try to properly annunciate what i'm trying to say. for the record, the way i just spelled annunciate is correct. yet there is a red line under it when i type, indicating it is misspelled. maybe our pc's aren't even sure anymore....."lol"

Just had to comment, AZ -

Did you mean annunciate (meaning to announce) to enunciate (meaning to pronounce or articulate) ?

bigtitan

I think there are plenty of things that contribute to this issue. Quite frankly we are living in a world that is continually dumbed down. Across the board the popular thought process is "easier is better."

In forums such as these people tend to communicate much like they would if they were sending text messages or chatting. The focus tends to be on merely getting the message out rather than how that message is constructed, which oftentimes is counterproductive. Truth be told, I am an offender. In haste I often spell words incorrectly...and sometimes I don't review my posts for grammatical errors or follow the rules I learned in grade school...and I tend to use "elliptical commas" quite inappropriately...

Perhaps it is just me but the standards I set for what I do online in forums are much different (lower) than those I set for other things such as professional documents, personal letters, emails, etc...

UNREGISTERED2

Thank you. I am so glad to see this issue raised. I actually carry a black marker and little white stickers in my purse. I engage in civil disobedience on signs displaying poor grammar in public. If you have not read it, do find a copy of "Eats, Shoots and Leaves" which will assure you that you are not alone and there are many of us out there. Plus it is funny. Everyone may not want to edit other people's signs, but I think most of us feel a concern to do something proactive.

askjeeves

You are a hero.

askjeeves

You are a hero.

dragonflyher

This thread is too funny but alas it is true! I've taught middle school through college level and was am amazed at how many assignments I get with the abbreviated words inserted into their final drafts! English is not the subject I teach but I do require properly written and sited text in their final assignments.

Yes it has changed English as we know it and as many of us were taught was proper. I have no doubt those hard core "Proper English" teachers and advocates are biting at the bit to "correct" these inevitable transitions that all languages are known to go through in time.

Ebonics being but one branch of that tree, and certainly not the most recent. IM, SMS, Facebook, You Tube... etc, these all have had major influences. Don't forget music and especially music videos.

Where I'm at currently I do have students discuss these issues but must insist on their use of "proper English" because it's mandated by the Departments of Education at both National and State levels. Makes for an interesting, even funny topic as it seems to have turned to in this string. I needed a laugh this evening. My guess is it isn't going to go back to how it was ever again, & with all the rules and exceptions in the English language that may not be a bad thing.

How will voice over programs change this dynamic yet again, & in the very near future??

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