Does anyone value the English language anymore?

Question

In searching through the many, many questions and answers on this site I have come to a startling conclusion. People don't know how to spell. They don't know proper grammar. They don't know what words mean. What is the matter with everyone? Am I one of the last people left in this world who values the beauty of the English language? I love words. Yes, I know I'm weird. I guess I'm just a word person. Does anyone else agree?

I'll give some slack to people who are not native. If English is your first language, however, you have no excuse!

Answer 1

I'm big into words and enjoy having English used well too, but I get the feeling you don't spend a whole lot of time in sites such as these. This site is not too different from chat rooms where abbreviated language is typical and grammar atrocious. Maybe it has to do with the somewhat countercultural nature of the internet at times--a sense of rebellion thrown into the language. Lots of kids roam these sites, so that's a factor. Certainly computer talk requires some speed to keep up with everyone, so sloppiness typically ensues. Regardless, it's a different world in here, and I doubt that you'll find many great literary moments here--at least within this form of English.

My beef (as an English teacher, no less) is that it is all creeping into my students' writing out in the "real world". Sloppy English spelling and syntax are no longer a big deal to many of them. They will be quite sorry when they realize how this will affect the way they are percieved by the more academic and business ends of society when they cannot produce clean language skills.

Even more (quietly) apalling is the way the language, and specifically the responses to questions on this site, is shortened and lacking detail which would help make one's meaning clearer. I swear that I always find myself writing the longest response to these questions, perhaps because so few people out there have the patience or skill to answer a question carefully and completely.

In the meantime, we are seeing a fascinating example of how languages and dialects develop through isolation and different "landscapes" which need adapting to.

Answer 2

I agree with you and I don't think you're weird for liking words. However, I think you might be confusing your love of grammar for love of the English language. I think language is a beautiful thing period, the equivalent of paint for an artist. In my opinion language is varied, constantly changing and like an artist's love for certain aesthetics or color coordination; I think you may have a passion for grammar.

I strongly disagree with the earlier comment about the English language being "ugly", "bland", etc. The English language has based roots on many other languages, a "mutt" language if you will, and I think that only a person who doesn't know that would make such a comment.

Bottom line is that language is victim to ignorance, laziness and people who just don't care, but even though that may sound awful, I think it's just the way language evolves. Those of us who love and understand it and find it simple now will just have to try and keep up with the changes.


By the way, I also am Mexican and English is my second language.

Answer 3

I love words because they allow me to communicate and because without them, literature (which I value a lot) wouldn't exist. The problem is that sometimes it is kind of boring paying attention to every single thing you write. Language should benefit us, not the other way around. Even though, I admit that the English language (specially the one in the United States) is very far from what real English is. That's why British English is better...

Thanks for reminding me that there are still some intelligent people in this world.
Have a nice day!

By the way, I am Mexican, so, my first language is not English

Answer 4

No you are not weird. I agree with you, the majority of the population (nothing to with ethnics) have no idea. The problem, I think is the fact that English and grammar is no longer a subject at school, but rather we now find that is more important to learn about sex, manners, our rights to be rude and not respect either laws or our parents. These should be left for the home. I find it infuriating when I get a text message that it is all abbreviated and garbbled with symbols and numbers. Until we have the three "r's " brought back into the school curriculum, we are doomed.

Answer 5

I too, truly find it amazing and appalling, that in the English language. A language that has well over 600,000 words. That so few native speakers have only the slightest command of even as few as 2,000 of those words. Truly a sad state of affairs, and a dismal report upon our hallowed halls of higher learning.

Why? I ask is it that those with the worst usage, refuse to use the simplest of tools, (I refer hereto the "Check Spelling" button)?

People, don't blame the learning tools of language such as phonics, it is pure, unadulterated laziness. Nothing more nothing less.

Query to the person that said English was harsh and ugly, have you read any of the prose of Shakespeare? Beauty and meaningful rhetoric that artfully conveys a intricately spun yarn.

Answer 6

As a former teacher in a family of educators I am appalled at the sloppy way people everywhere slaughter the language. Education is not valued by far too many young people and much of the time their parents don't insist their children work hard in school. You're not weird; you are aware of a trend that is shameful in today's world when there are so many opportunities to become educated and successful in meaningful careers.

Answer 7

I agree... I'm the sort of person who actually enjoys editing papers. I hope that the simplified spelling that some people are lobbying for doesn't catch on, as I find all of the variations in the English language fascinating.

Answer 8

English is one of the most difficult language to learn. It is also very confusing, because you never know how to pronounce it. People I used to work with ask me (I am a foreigner) how to spell words and I thought this is unbelievable, why don't they look it up in a dictionary! I guess they are just lazy or because of Spell Check!!!

Answer 9

Well people may just be in a hurry to type properly or just are so used to the "online talk" and abbreviations that they don't really even realize that they are in fact butchering the English language.. but none to take too seriously I find myself doing this often.

Answer 10

I completely agree. I know there are slang and the short word terms but still come on I seen this one dude meant to spell "where" (I hope that was what he tried to spell) but instead he typed "were". O for everyone who don't know how to spell there is a Check Spelling tool in the right hand corner of this little typing box.