I apologized before, i guess i need to do it again ??

Question

I was raised in the Netherlands, I live in Romania now.English is my fourth language.

Yahoo!Answers has no dutch or romanian section.So, i'm stuck to the english version of it. My english is not perfect, i'm very well aware of that.

My english dictionary tells me this:
Spell Check Nazi: A person on Yahoo!Answers who points out bad grammar, but forgets that we are not all native english speakers. Spell Check Nazis are the worst kind of human beings on earth.

Not my definition, it's from my dictionary.

I promissed myself that everytime a Spell Check Nazi crosses my path, and answers my questions with only a remark about spelling or grammar i would do this:

You, Spell Check Nazis are ignorant fools, who are too arogant to appreciate the trouble people take to try and speak english on a World Wide Web.

I would like to apologize for my last sentence, even if i am not even sorry. Will you accept my apology?

(i guess in the next weeks i'll do this a lot of times more)

Answer 1

I think it ought to be spell-check N.A.Z.I or Spell-check Nazi. Just trying to help.

Answer 2

I am sorry, but I disagree with your definition of Spell Check Nazi, for the following reasons:
1) - I believe that you made up this definition.
2) - Yahoo!Answers has only been going since 12/2005. Any legitimate dictionary would not have had the opportunity to add "Spell Check Nazi" to their database from that time to this.
3) - Your experiment, search, could not be repeated. To be sure, there are references to "spell check Nazi" to be found with a search of yahoo, but no dictionary reference.

Mistakes in grammar are easily tolerated, and I have no argument with one who makes a grammatical error. Lord knows, I make enough of them. However, since a spelling checker is available, there is no reason not to use it. It's not a case of not having time. You will always have to time to use it. It's a case, in my opinion of laziness or arrogantly believing that you are right, whether the dictionary agrees with you or not.

As a Dutchman, you should know a little history of your country and the Nazi occupation during the Second World War. I dearly hope that you are not making a comparison between some people of then and today. That would be a terrible offense to those who fought to give you the privilege to make your statements and apologies. Be glad that you can make your statements in English and not in German.

Answer 3

Your English is very good for it being your 4th language. Besides, I doubt the Spell Check Nazis will target you considering some of the atrocious spelling and grammar I see from posters on here whose first language is english. If you are ever self-conscious towards yor grammar in a question you wrote, just add something at the bottom that says something like "I apologize in advance if this is hard to read, as english is not my first langauge," and I dont think anyone would give you a hard time about it.

Answer 4

If you mention "non-English speaker" in your future questions, perhaps the Spelling Nazis will get a clue and leave you alone.

Unfortunately there are a lot of lazy/ignorant/stupid English speakers that can't or won't learn how to spell properly and it really gets on some people's nerves after a while.

I'm on several international fora and people try to spell correctly and use correct grammar because otherwise it messes up machine translation (such as Bablefish).

My grandfather was from Romania....

Answer 5

Don't worry... there are plenty of native English speakers on here who have worse grammar and spelling than any foreign speaker/writer ever could. It is sadly true, however, that often when people can no longer make a good argument they resort to attacking grammar and spelling. (The Internet Movie Database's forums are notorious for this). Just ignore the "Spell Check Nazis."

Answer 6

Hold on there, partner. There is at least one important consideration you may have overlooked. Most people on yahoo (at least in my experience) seem to have the impression that all posts are of American origin. The criticism of poor grammar, punctuation and spelling is directed solely at this population (and in my opinion, rightfully so!). One would think in this highly literate age that people would take the time to coherently put two words together, not to mention two sentences. Not only is it easier to read, but then one ensures the possibility that one is accurately representing what one means. As for you, my friend. Anyone that is able to communicate in more than their native tongue deserves respect and admiration. So in the future, try to consider that these Spelling Check Nazis may be more parochial in their aim.

Answer 7

I think you spell better than alot of Americans I've encountered. Four languages, that's great.
More importantly, I would like to share with you the Truth about the afterlife. I only tell you this because I care what will happen to you when you die. Have you ever told a lie, stolen anything, used God’s name in vain? These are just a few of God’s Moral Laws. When you die, God will judge you on the basis of His Moral Law. If you stand guilty before God of breaking His Laws, He will send you to Hell. If God is Just and Holy, He must punish lawbreakers. The good news is that God provided a way for you to be forgiven and go to Heaven. Jesus Christ died on a cross and rose again to pay the debt for your sins and take your punishment. What you must do is Repent, which means to say you are sorry to God and turn away from your sins. Then put your complete Trust in Jesus Christ. Only then will you be accepted into Heaven, not because you’re a good person, but because you’re a bad person who’s been forgiven. Please give this some thought. Your Eternal Destination depends on it.

Answer 8

Hey I'm on your side! My sister is a word Nazi too and she's an American like me. Anyone mispronounces a word, even if it is Spanish or Mexican( WE are neither)and she's all over you. Nothing worse than that!! Americans do not realize that most people in this world do have English as a 2nd or 3rd or even 4th language. In this country we are lucky if most people speak English correctly. You're doing fine.

Answer 9

Well, I will tell you again, you have a better grasp of English than a lot of people who were raised in an English-speaking nation. I will never spell check nazi you.

Answer 10

What's wrong with you don't you know English? "A lot of times more" is not proper English.


I'm sorry. I had to do that. I really couldn't care less if your grammar is bad. I would have thought English was your first language. I don't really remember a focus on grammar while I was in school in England. I was only there until I was 13. I guess they figured that by being English it came naturally.

Answer 11

Apology accepted...Although I don't think it's needed. There's usually a big difference between the stupid people who just can't spell, and those whose first language is not English.

However, I would suggest that you use the Check Spelling feature...it's really very simple to let the computer look for misspellings on your behalf.