what is WRONG with Y! answers?

Question

What is with the extreme lack of proper spelling and grammar skills from a large percentage of the participants on this site!? I mean, I'm all for wRitiNG CrAZy LiKe tHiS sOmETimEs (not all the time, maybe after a night of drinking), but when the replacement of words with numbers and symbols makes a sentence hard to read and understand and none of the verbs are in the right tense, you have to wonder about the 12-15 age bracket and what they really are learning in school.....

and this has nothing to do with who speaks english and who doesn't, in fact the people on here who reside in places other than the US have better syntax than these kids

I agree with many of your points, and I want to make it clear that i did NOT want it to come across that the kids AREN'T being taught in school or that the quality is sub-par.....it's most likely the apathy on the students' part and their unwillingness to learn because it seems as though the internet has the answer to everything (true to a certain degree). I graduated with honors from one of the country's most recognized public school systems with stellar standardized test scores so maybe I have a skewed view in that I never experienced what it's like to have illiterates as classmates. So to that affect, I retract that part of my statement that insinuated it was the teachers' fault. Teachers are this country's greatest resource and if I wasn't so close to graduating, I would chnge my major to Education. I salute you TEACHERS!!!
Cheers,
Fizzy

Answer 1

DO NOT be so sure that the poor writing and use of English is coming only from the 12-15 age bracket. In fact, how would you know to begin with? Answers does not give out the ages of respondents.

The poor use of English has become epidemic in our society because few insist that good English be part of a person's persona. In addition, the Internet has replaced so many activities of both young and older people. Look at the number of people who want someone else do their homework for them? Look at how poorly read the last two generations are. I taught high school English for many years, and the biggest difference between the students in the 1960's and today is their lack of reading. Students need to read and need to be held accountable for using proper English in all assignments. ALL teachers are, in my judgment, reading teachers and should teach whatever reading skills and other skills that students need to succeed in their class. History teachers CANNOT overlook poor writing, nor can math teachers. Until and unless ALL teachers see that their responsibility is to teach the whole child, then we will continue to graduate illiterates. Standards are too low, and too many teachers don't give a damn. That attitude tarnishes the reputations of the great and excellent teachers among us who belong to a great profession.

Well, after 40 years in education, I got that off my chest!!

Answer 2

I teach English and I have say that I notice many high school students transferring this "internet chat" into their essays, school work, etc. I always bring it to their attention and make a huge deal of it. They are instructed on how to write for the appropriate audience, but this new language has become such a habit that they don't realize they use it all the time. I chat a bit online too, and I always write out my words. I tell kids to do the same, but their excuse is that they are in a rush. I teach proper grammar and spelling, but for some it doesn't work...it gets frustrating during correcting, my efforts are failing....it is a sad situation indeed to see this type of writing.

Answer 3

This is a great issue to be raised, and also extremely important. I agree with what a lot of people are saying... It is part of internet linguistics and using the shortest and fastest way to say what you need to say... However it also comes down the the serious lack of education among 10-16 year olds.
My neice is 14 and when she talks to me via messenger or text, (we live in 2 different countries), it takes me a little while to deceifer what she is actually saying, because not only does she type in her Yorkshire (UK) dialect, but she also uses short term internet words.... It's annoying, and also makes her look rather unintelligent. I have asked how she gets along at school and she's doing really well, so I can only draw the conclusion that she uses this type of vocab when she is communicating with friends via these types of mediums.

Answer 4

It is not just Y! Answers, it is everywhere in society. I made the decision to change careers to Education and teach Language Arts because of the horrible mistakes I saw in everyday communications by people in positions that should know better. My personal favorite is when a very high level manager sent out an email to everyone below her explaining changes in a policy. The email ended with “I am sorry for the incontinence.” About 10 minutes later, she sent another email blaming it on spell check. I also do a lot of work at a local YMCA – you would be amazed at the quality (or lack thereof) of writing that take place in their materials that are sent out to parents, volunteers, coaches and employees.

In regular typing, I do not think that the abbreviations are that beneficial. To me, it takes longer to because I am used to typing it out. I suppose it is easier to use the abbreviations in the instant messaging realm, especially with restricted keypads (on phones).

My personal opinion is that it is a culmination of three factors
1.An overall lack of consideration in today’s society. The writers do not care about the difficulty of trying to read one of their messages
2.A lack of pride in one’s self, which translates into a lack of pride in what is produced.
3.It is another example of a younger generation finding a way to separate themselves from the older generations through modifying the language so that it can be used in a way only they can understand.

I did not attend a parochial school so I have to speak to this from what I have heard. If we could get a few of those nuns to go around with their rulers and crack knuckles every time one of those ridiculous abbreviations were used, we could end it in no time. I am sorry I had to add a little humor to my thoughts.

Answer 5

Who says its only the 12-15 age bracket? Many adults do not have the basic writing skills mastered. Myself included I don't recall proper grammar having been stressed much in my high-school years. As long as you could read and write with some comprehension you passed on to the next grade and out the door eventually.

Answer 6

Well, there isn't any real answer to this, but I'm right there with you. I guess it's just a game they play, at least part of the time. There does seem to be a good deal of good old fashioned ignorance here, though. Like the person who asked if they celebrate the 4th of July in the UK.

Answer 7

It's not Answers fault its the kids. The use of proper spelling and grammar is totally unimportant to most of them. And trust me it isn't the schools' faults either, they're teaching these kids everything, including proper english. They just don't listen

Answer 8

I thought I was the only one to notice. Grammar appears to be of lesser importance these days. I grew up with encyclopedias and the dictionary; today's youth have a vast selection of reference materials that make it very easy to get through school without learning much.

Answer 9

While I sympathize and agree with what you're saying, I think the English found on Yahoo! Answers is better than the English spoken by President Bush anyhow... hehe...

Answer 10

it is probably due to lack of time. everyone is so busy and want to take the fast way out. so if words can be replaced with numbers and letters, they can cover more ground. it does make it hard to understand some of them though. i am not familiar with all the new jargon and symbols.