grounding in basic reading and writing (Moved Post to it's own thread)

[VedaSloan 119179]

I'm going to sound like a grumpy old man, but I find that the young adults today (I'm only 36!) don't seem to have the same grounding in basic reading and writing...I don't think it has anything to do with intelligence...

Posted via Mobile Device

 

It's true. My parents pulled me out of public school in third grade and put me into private school. I credit private school to my excellent spelling and grammar skills. It's that "no child left behind" bullshit.

[YoungStud 468]

It's true. My parents pulled me out of public school in third grade and put me into private school. I credit private school to my excellent spelling and grammar skills.

 

Isn't that where you also learned to wear those cute little uniforms with the plaid skirts? Not to mention how to bend over a desk to receive what was coming to you when you had to stay after school because you were naughty? (Honest, my view of private girls' schools has not be coloured by the media, pornography or my own evil thoughts, Miss Jones. Actually, I think you're the best gym teacher ever! And I'm so glad you personally showed all us girls the right way to wash in the shower. lol)

[Cowboy kenny 50799]

I agree, these damn fangled cell phones 'n blackberries are the decline of proper english as we know it. Seriously, I've received cover letters for resumes with U not You, and 2 not to in the body of the letter along with typos and spelling errors. This aint for no burger flippin job either, these are college and specialty training graduates. Makes ya wonder what those high tuitions are paying for ?

[VedaSloan 119179]

Isn't that where you also learned to wear those cute little uniforms with the plaid skirts? Not to mention how to bend over a desk to receive what was coming to you when you had to stay after school because you were naughty? (Honest, my view of private girls' schools has not be coloured by the media, pornography or my own evil thoughts, Miss Jones. Actually, I think you're the best gym teacher ever! And I'm so glad you personally showed all us girls the right way to wash in the shower. lol)

 

I hate to burst your bubble, but we didn't have to wear a uniform. And I was never naughty in school. Only nowadays. :-P

[buggernot 588]

I agree, these damn fangled cell phones 'n blackberries are the decline of proper english as we know it. Seriously I've received cover letters for resumes with U not You, and 2 not to in the body of the letter along with typos and spelling errors. This aint for no burger flippin job either, these are college and specialty training graduates. Makes ya wonder what those high tuitions are paying for ?

 

That is, without a doubt, brutal.

 

The one that bugs me the most, as it is slowly creeping in to the common lexicon and may just change the dictionary by sheer volume of erroneous use - YOUR. Like, "your the best" or, "let me show you what your missing". How's about, "your dumb"! My dumb what? I know the point gets across in a pinch, but it's a different word altogether...well, 2 words actually but who even cares anymore??

 

Back on topic, I think he/she spelled sexy with an 'ie' today. Sexie might be ok though ;)

[mod 135640]

I hope you don't all mind, I moved this to it's own thread and out of the bait and switch area. Wondered off topic just a bit ;)

[halfbelgian 101]

That is, without a doubt, brutal.

 

The one that bugs me the most, as it is slowly creeping in to the common lexicon and may just change the dictionary by sheer volume of erroneous use - YOUR. Like, "your the best" or, "let me show you what your missing". How's about, "your dumb"! My dumb what? I know the point gets across in a pinch, but it's a different word altogether...well, 2 words actually but who even cares anymore??

 

I agree on "your/you're" ,it drives me nuts but you may be unfortunately correct that it will become acceptable just by (mis)usage. :-(

One other I see all the time is confusion between "then" and "than" which will often completely change the meaning intended. :-x

 

I think I've given up though trying to correct people, the saying "spitting into the wind" seems appropriate.

[Cowboy kenny 50799]

I must admit that when I type you're/your gets me quite often. I type faster than I think, as I'm sure you've noticed from time to time in my blog or here. I'm not as critical 'bout it here although I should be. When I actually put pen to paper I'm much more aware of my spelling and grammar, and therin lies the problem, kids these days don't use pen and paper any more.

[brandi 231]

 

I think I've given up though trying to correct people.

 

I don?t mind being corrected. If you see errors in my posts by all means feel free to let me know. Sometimes I read them later and see the mistakes but I rarely edit.

[mod 135640]

I am glad they don't use pen and paper any more!! Why!?! We have evolved past that!

 

I could care less about spelling and grammar errors myself (Mostly because I am really bad at BOTH so if the spell check does not pick it up it's good enough for me!).

 

If you're going to correct me than you know I made a mistake... but you know what I meant so why bother correcting me in the first place.

 

I am a math guy. I don't care to read novels or newspapers for that matter. I read some magazines, I read reference manuals and I read the odd cereal box to see what is in it... In general most of us computer guys (We like to be known as the logical thinkers) we don't do well with English (Obvious some exceptions exist) but for the most part the English language is not logical.

 

If someone tries to correct my grammar or spelling I just laugh and wonder why someone would take the time to do that AS they obviously knew what I was talking about or they would not know I needed to be corrected in the first place!!

 

I am old, I have been doing it all my life... You are just wasting your time (and mine) if you try to correct me.

I often wonder why people bother to correct others, is it a way to say "I am better than you?" (Yes I purposely put the ? in the quotes)

 

You must see that a middle aged men like myself are not going to change because you corrected us and like I said.. you obviously knew what I was trying to say.

 

Chances are when you correct someone that person doesn't give a crap about proper English or grammar and 9 out of 10 times they may be offended by your correction.

 

I like the way the language is heading. It needs change!!

 

First... I hope we get rid or upper case letters as that would be a good start. It would let kids learn MUCH faster and spend less time learning to draw letters and more time learning important things.

 

We no longer need to put TWO spaces after a period. That got changed so we still have some hope left for the rest of the mess!

 

I wish they would settle with one word for each "item" and if the word sounds the same as another word find a new word to use (There, their, they're, then, than, see, sea, saw, seen, etc... etc.. - DUMB!) - Really can they make it any more complex? It's hard enough for most of us to learn it as a first language and since it is becoming a global language of choice can you imagine how hard it is to learn later in life as a second language!

 

Don't get me started on PH/F and Silent letters... not to mention stupid "I" before "E" crap... really if we did not have to spend so much time in school being forced to learn all this shit we would be much further ahead as a society! The only PH word I like is phonetics! and I don't like the word but I like the meaning. If it sounds like the word it's good enough. (I actually worked on software that was phonetic based so that if your trying to look up someones name and you type it in the way it sounds the computer will find what you are looking for based on a phonetic algorithm - the way it should be!).

 

Memorizing silly rules and exceptions and learning how to draw two sets of letters is pointless! We all know it's pointless so how about all you smart English people start figuring out how to fix the language as opposed to correcting everyone who misuses it. That would be a lot more productive!

 

I am sure this post has grammar and spelling errors (Some intentional) I am sure most of my posts do, but keep in mind that... I don't care.

[whatsup 11893]

I could care less about spelling and grammar errors myself (Mostly because I am really bad at BOTH so if the spell check does not pick it up it's good enough for me!).

 

If you're going to correct me than you know I made a mistake... but you know what I meant so why bother correcting me in the first place.

 

Memorizing silly rules and exceptions and learning how to draw two sets of letters is pointless! We all know it's pointless so how about all you smart English people start figuring out how to fix the language as opposed to correcting everyone who misuses it. That would be a lot more productive!

 

I am sure this post has grammar and spelling errors (Some intentional) I am sure most of my posts do, but keep in mind that... I don't care.

 

I like it Mod !!!:lol:

 

Phonetics should be part of the school curriculum again, my kids cant spell worth shit.

[Guest C****** K***e]

I'm a bit of an anomaly - I may be one of today's youth, but I take a lot of pride in my grammar and spelling. Growing up with two teachers for parents, I actually did homework all summer long. Nothing irks me quite so much as bad grammar or misspelled words. It's unfortunate because during my lifetime I'll probably see a super-radical change in language, and I don't doubt that it will piss me off every step of the way!:cry:

I even use full sentences on msn and texts...

Then again, I can't do basic math to save my life. I guess there's always a trade-off!:wink:

[a******s.m*****e 187]

Allow me to chime in on this issue. Not because I want to contradict, but because I would like you to take a look at it from a different point of view.

 

English is my third language and spelling has always been easy for me in any language. Grammar is a different story, but let's not change the subject ;)

 

In my native language, we have what you call "phonetic" spelling. Meaning that you spell everything exactly the way you say it. All you have to do is to learn a few simple rules and you can spell any word.

You can't imagine what a difference this can make for a student. No spelling bees, no desperation for kids with no special talent for remembering strings of seemingly illogical consonants and vowels :)

 

In Italian, for example the sound "ee" is always, without an exception is spelled as "i". In English it can be spelled "ea", "i", "ee", "ie".... let me know if I forgot something :)

 

I don't know why the English spelling is so complicated. I am sure it must have had a reason hundreds of years ago, but today the whole thing is unnecessary. I think - especially because we are heading towards globalization, and it looks like English is going to be the common language - the spelling should be reformed, and I am sure it will be sometime in the future.

 

Yes, when I see abbreviations like "U" instead of "you" I get the picture of a teenager with an ipod in his ears, but I can't blame the people who do that. Everybody does a lot of typing nowadays, and I think it is only natural that people want to say more with less effort :)

 

Yes, traditions are beautiful, but sometimes they have to give way to modernization and progress.

[mod 135640]

Then again, I can't do basic math to save my life. I guess there's always a trade-off!:wink:

 

Chantal, I think you hit the nail on the head. This world has MANY different kinds of people and we all need each other, so yes it is a trade-off.

 

Some are math smart, some are word smart, some are artistic, some are bad at everything and some just coast by and never find anything they are good at. (Did I miss anyone?) We need all these people in society as they all have a place.

 

What everyone needs to realize is we are all different. We must adapt and welcome change and accept people for what they are.

 

The popular saying is "Everyone hates change" but without change we would still be hunting our own food.

 

I am analytical. I solve problems and that is my ability (gift) in this world. You may be a artist, a magazine editor, sex worker, a public speaker, a politician, a musician, a doctor, office admin, etc... I could not be any of those things as I do not excel in any of those area's.

 

When society tells kids that they can be ANYTHING THEY WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP they are LYING as that is the furthest thing from the truth. What they should say is keep your mind open and try everything, eventually you will find something you are good at and enjoy doing.

 

Not everyone is cut out to be a fireman or a rocket scientist or a sex worker for that matter... and no matter how much you apply yourself unless you have a gift your not going to excel at anything you do. If you find yourself at a dead end job or not moving up on the ladder (or just unhappy) chances are you never found your true calling. It may come later in life for some.

 

Thankfully most education is general enough to help you find your gift and set you on the right path but some people become lost souls.

 

We are all different and that is a good thing. If we were all the same nothing would ever get done in this world. We need engineers, doctors, musicians, sex workers, entertainers, garbage men, plumbers, etc... everyone has a place in life and I do beleive everyone has a "gift".

 

If you are going to get "Pissed Off" at someone because they do not excel at the same things you do... well you are going to be pissed off for most of your life as we really are all very different... funny thing is when you are not able to do something yourself you are going to wish you had one of those other people around to help that piss you off. ;)

[mod 135640]

No spelling bees, no desperation for kids with no special talent for remembering strings of seemingly illogical consonants and vowels :)

 

That would be wonderful and much more logical. I can just imagine how difficult it would be for you to learn English!!

[a******s.m*****e 187]

That would be wonderful and much more logical. I can just imagine how difficult it would be for you to learn English!!

 

Actually, I have a trick. Ever since I started learning English as a kid, when I see a new word I pronounce it phonetically, like it would be written in my language, and that way it is relatively easy to recall when I need it :)

 

I feel sorry for the kids here. They have no such crutch to rely on.

[thetiminator 100]

I hope you don't all mind, I moved this to [it's] its own thread and out of the bait and switch area. Wondered off topic just a bit ;)

 

The its / it's things really bothers me.

[mod 135640]

Your joking here right? Have you read the rest of the thread or did you just look for something to correct me on so you could make a post?

 

If it did actually bother you I must ask... Did this cause you to misunderstand what I was trying to say somehow? If you are bothered by a apostrophe missing from the word it's you must get some serious road rage!! If something as minuscule as this bothers you how do you get by?? Is this a neurological problem? OCD? I can't imagine something like this "Bothering" someone.

 

Hopefully your just trying to be a joker/smart ass by correcting me on this thread as I would have to feel very sorry for someone if this actually bothered them.

[a******s.m*****e 187]

The its / it's things really bothers me.

 

I know where mod is coming from. :)

 

Logical people don't want to stop their train of thought and stop to think about which form of its/it's is correct in a certain sentence.

It disrupts their attention and it is hard for them to get back on track again.

They are like: 'you know what I mean, what's the fuss?'

 

Having said that, I, too, notice these mistakes, but only because I am not sure of my English and want to double check if I am right.

[whatsup 11893]

Your joking here right? Have you read the rest of the thread or did you just look for something to correct me on so you could make a post?

 

If it did actually bother you I must ask... Did this cause you to misunderstand what I was trying to say somehow? If you are bothered by a apostrophe missing from the word it's you must get some serious road rage!! If something as minuscule as this bothers you how do you get by?? Is this a neurological problem? OCD? I can't imagine something like this "Bothering" someone.

 

Hopefully your just trying to be a joker/smart ass by correcting me on this thread as I would have to feel very sorry for someone if this actually bothered them.

 

Sorry, Im ROTFF:lol: now.

[the lurker 160]

Actually whilst on the topic. I HATE healthy foods. Not sure about the rest of you, but I much prefer mine quite dead. Nothing worse than having a bite of chicken and have the hen turn around trying for my eye. It's just off putting really with its nasty noises and feathers ;)

 

And yes I know that yogurt is crawling with little beasties. I just think it's nasty :D

 

Now healthful foods like offal or burgers, yer gots yer self a meal!

[VedaSloan 119179]

Personally, I detest spelling and grammar errors. English not being your first language excluded.

 

I personally detest it even more when I get emails from people (not so much work), that are simply bastardized versions of the English language. People seem to forget that when you email someone that you'd potentially like to meet, your email is their first impression of you. So if you write to me like a bonehead, I'll assume you are one and delete you without replying.

 

I think shortforms are just lazy and only allow ignorance to proliferate.

[the lurker 160]

Word up!

 

Actually I use email all day, every day and could not agree more. Mind you, it's a mixed blessing for me. I make less than an SP and the company... well they get MUCH more :S

 

I can't just delete them, but actually do call the people instead and make notes in the Queens's English :D

 

Interesting thread tho Hah! As I now wear glasses due to reading far to much when younger. Not because as popularly believed, that I did not know about SPs!!!

[YoungStud 468]

I tend to agree with your Erin, though not quite so vociferously. I've made a good living over the years from, among other things, my ability to write reasonably well, usually in a clear, concise and communicative fashion.

 

Those who say, rather defensively, I don't give a shit as long as you can understand me, often don't actually express themselves in a way that I can do that easily, thanks to deficient written English skills that are a result of poor education, laziness or both.

 

Take, for example, a recent post on this board wherein a CERBite was seeking "a woman black from birth". After quite a lot of posting and speculation, not to mention some derision and ridicule, it was determined that he probably meant he was looking for "a black, who has been a woman from birth" (not a TV).

 

Not all that difficult to express that idea clearly, if you not only have basic written English skills, but perhaps more importantly, care enough to express yourself in writing in a way that others understand you, rather than an arrogant, smug, self-centered "fuck youse if'n U don't gitit. I just expressin' the way I feels" attitude.

 

After all, isn't the whole point to be understood by others, whether you're writing an e-mail to a friend, posting on a board, textin' your buds or applying for a job?

 

 

Personally, I detest spelling and grammar errors. English not being your first language excluded.

 

I personally detest it even more when I get emails from people (not so much work), that are simply bastardized versions of the English language. People seem to forget that when you email someone that you'd potentially like to meet, your email is their first impression of you. So if you write to me like a bonehead, I'll assume you are one and delete you without replying.

 

I think shortforms are just lazy and only allow ignorance to proliferate.

[VedaSloan 119179]

I tend to agree with your Erin, though not quite so vociferously. I've made a good living over the years from, among other things, my ability to write reasonably well, usually in a clear, concise and communicative fashion.

 

Those who say, rather defensively, I don't give a shit as long as you can understand me, often don't actually express themselves in a way that I can do that easily, thanks to deficient written English skills that are a result of poor education, laziness or both.

 

Take, for example, a recent post on this board wherein a CERBite was seeking "a woman black from birth". After quite a lot of posting and speculation, not to mention some derision and ridicule, it was determined that he probably meant he was looking for "a black, who has been a woman from birth" (not a TV).

 

Not all that difficult to express that idea clearly, if you not only have basic written English skills, but perhaps more importantly, care enough to express yourself in writing in a way that others understand you, rather than an arrogant, smug, self-centered "fuck youse if'n U don't gitit. I just expressin' the way I feels" attitude.

 

After all, isn't the whole point to be understood by others, whether you're writing an e-mail to a friend, posting on a board, textin' your buds or applying for a job?

 

Oh I can't help myself, but, he was looking for "a black female from birth." An appropriately placed comma would have cleared up the confusion on that one.

 

I just love language, very much. I hate to see it turned to shit.