Why do so many people pick on others' incorrect English?

Question

It's obvious that some people aren't native English-speakers. It's not like Yahoo has an "only native speakers" policy. If they're saying things like "wuz" instead of "was" and stuff like that, that's a different story. But if it's obvious that they're struggling a little bit with the language, cut them a break! Geez! Help them out a little instead! Everyone always says "If you live in America, speak English." How do you expect them to do that if people are only going to pick on them, insult them, and make them self-concious??

How many people on here have tried learning a foreign language in school or whatever? Not always the easiest thing ever. How would you like it if you went to another country and all people told you was "speak proper Spanish/French/etc!"? You'd be a little upset, wouldn't you?

By the way, when I say "everyone," I mean it figuratively. I'm not saying that literally EVERYONE picks on non-native English-speakers :-)

I appreciate all the answer so far! And I understand what you all mean. I get annoyed at the lazy English-speakers too. I know it doesn't need to be formal or anything, but intelligent-sounding helps a little bit. But I see in many many questions that the questioner uses very poor English (not from lack of caring or out of laziness) but simply because they aren't fluent enough, and I see so many people put answers like "SPEAK ENGLISH!!!!!" (all in caps with the !!!s and everything), and it's just rude. You wouldn't want anyone to do that to you, so don't do that to them. But I guess that's just the way some people are...... Maybe someday they'll realize how much they can hurt people sometimes.......

Answer 1

Spanish is my second language and in Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries, they do not critisize you but encourage you. I always do the same. Any fool can critisize and most fools do. Be bigger, be a teacher. Instead of critisizing them, correct the person with tact as to not hurt their feelings. It's simple to point out what's wrong - look at politics! But it's not easy to teach another how to correct it. If it were, we as a country would truely be great. I think we are, but we do have much to learn. I totally agree with you. By the way - 12 years later I am a fluent speaker having made several mistakes and am a member of the American Translators Association www.atanet.org I can tell you that if I had enough people making fun of me during my learning process, I might have been discouraged and never have been able to get to the native level of fluency that I have today. Also, 99.9999% of the time the person critisizing someone's foreign attempts don't speak anything but 1 language anyways. So know inside that you're as good as they are in your native tongue and better because you are learning theirs as well.

Answer 2

Because Yahoo! will reward them whether they answer the question, or not.

Technically, using the answer-space to carp on someone's language skills is violation of the community guidelines, so it is the responsibility of the questioner that receives these kinds of answers to report the abusers, attempt to send an IM or email to the person (ie: please take down your non-answer) or just keep it politely to themselves. The mechanism to take care of the abuse is provided by "the team," so if you see it and you don't address it, I guess it doesn't bother you enough, and yet you made a 5 point investment and made a very well written case for why people shouldn't do it in the first place. I humbly submit for your consideration that if people haven't figured out "if you don't have something nice to say, don't say it," no amount of rebuking will change them, but you might feel better for having done it.

Answer 3

I have a MA in English, and I use wuz , cuz, ain’t, gonna . . . you get the picture. It is essential to use Standard English when writing formal correspondence and academic essays. I don’t think Yahoo cares about formality, though. Two of my best friends are Swedish and Italian. I also have French and Spanish acquaintances. We communicate. I am from the South. One of my American friends moved here from the North. He told me that “learning” Southern “English” wuz like learnin a whole new language, ya’ll! This is not a formal forum. Relax and TALK to each other!

Answer 4

It's not those who are not native English speakers, but rather those that do speak English as a first language and are too lazy to spell correctly or use the provided spelling checker!

Answer 5

Oh yeah! My husband used to mention "ax" rather of "ask" and "excape" as a substitute than "get away". He's from the east coast and was once raised by means of mothers and fathers who spoke like precise New Yorkers. When he moved to California, he picked up on every other dangerous conduct, like pronouncing "I wouldn't have no" and "wherein are you at?" I did fear that it might all rub off on me, however I refused to difference and my right use of grammar has honestly rubbed off onto him. It took a couple of years, however my husband now speaks extra eloquently than such a lot persons I've ever met, adding academics and vice presidents of businesses.

Answer 6

I only do when it's really, really bad. Like not usingaspacebar for the whole question. Or just rambling with acronyms that only a 14 year old would truly know...only it's not a 14 year olds question. Or every other word misspelled when there is a spell check button. Nobody's perfect, but 'cmon. Sometimes...too much is too much.

Answer 7

I don't pick on the language skills of non-native speakers... but it is a major pet peeve of mine when people who can speak/write English fluently and still choose to write like they can't... it just makes them look foolish (and annoys me to no end).

Answer 8

Good observation! You are indeed a nice girl.with a heart that cares about other people...

Answer 9

because its hilarious that people don't know how to speak correctly + its really annoying

Answer 10

the english teacher is your friend, not your enemy. please don't demonize the english teacher. the english teacher is there to help you with your spelling and things like that. the english teacher is there to serve you and your children.