Improper English: does this bother anyone else?

Question

People who want to “aks” a question, words like “imbetween” (in between, how hard is that?), “alot” (its not “alittle” either). Or people that use the word literally in a sentence when it doesn't apply, "Oh my God, I was so shocked my jaw literally hit the floor!". Really? Are you okay? I don't see any bruises, d@mn that had to hurt! WTF?

kyVanes
Howdy...sweetie, im from Texas. trust me i know slang. LOL, honestly i just wanted to see peoples reaction to this question. im quite facinated with how pissy people get! wow!
Y'all take a chill pill! HA HA.

Answer 1

Sounds FUBAR to me . Ya'll Have a nice day !

Answer 2

It bothers me most of all because bad grammar and bad word usage have become acceptable. Mediocrity has become the norm, and even our educators don't seem to understand or appreciate the fact that imprecise English usage results in imprecise communication which, at best, results in confusion and, at worst, results in conflicts. But the real problem is this...

Thinking and language are so intertwined that they are virtually one and the same. In essence, language is the "software" of thought. Our ability to think complex thoughts and solve complex problems is a direct result of the evolution and development of our complex language. And that is where the real danger lies. As our use of language becomes less precise, so does the clarity and precision of our thinking.

I believe our educators lost their way some years ago when they began to de-emphasize the importance of proper grammar: the diagramming of sentence structure; the identification and accurate use of the various parts of speech (verbs, adverbs, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, gerunds, infinitives, participles, etc.); proper punctuation; and the building of vocabulary. Our educators must return to these disciplines with a renewed sense of urgency and give them the importance they deserve. Otherwise, not only will our language and communications continue to deteriorate, but so will our very ability to think.

Answer 3

Yes, bad grammer irks me when I hear people use all of the slangs. At one point in my life I was an English teacher. I have noticed over the last few decades that more and more people are getting lazy in their speech. What really surprizes me are all of the so called educated people in the media that abuse and misuse the verb tenses,etc... As in has, have had, got etc... It is not we've got a car We have a car. To me, the way people speak proves a theory I had many years ago that America is dummying down. I am curious as to what the hell they are teaching in schools today. What ever happend to the RIFF program? And don't get me started on this crap called eubonics. Let me ax you a question? I hear people use that word and I can't help it, but I automatically think a lazy person.

Answer 4

I'm beginning to think that some is "intentional" .
It does get attention.
Some is unknowing by many "foreign born" on here.
We have to realize that those are learning and practicing English, and should be applauded.

Unfortunately, some are "ignorant", NOT STUPID.
I place blame on many teachers, either for allowing grammar errors to slide, or even themselves being "ignorant".

Be certain that we all understand "ignorance".
We are all ignorant, about different things.

I once had a two hour discussion, by email, with a person on this site. I, a layman, was correcting grammar for him. I finally asked if this was his homework.

He is an English teacher.
He found "nothing" erroneous about the following statement. Our conversation ended.
We see and hear it often.

"A mind is a terrible thing to waste". Geeezz.

Answer 5

It only bothers me when I don't understand what the person is trying to say to me.

What bothers me more is people who get all bent out of shape because other people don't talk exactly like they do. Something else that bothers me is when people use the slang words not because they don't know better but because they think its cute. Some people "literally" do not know better and those people do not bother me.

Answer 6

english is probably the hardest language to learn correctly. its the nuances and pronounciation which causes so many problems, and of course, it's incredibly rich. we have so many words which although they sound the same, mean very different things. its in between, A lot, or A little, they ask questions, (not aks)


sentence construction is difficult at best. i was in between offices when the alarm went off. of i was inbetween two people who were fighting.. and i am English, so what chance will foreign nationals have of learning to speak it fluently? it does cause me concerns, but, languages arent written in stone, they change over years, and geographical location... here in England we have many dialects. some of them barely recognisable as english. try listening to Geordies from Newcastle,scousers from Liverpool, Cornish.. Welsh, Scots, brummies from Birmingham, or anyone from the black country, (wolverhampton), and theres the potteries, stoke on trent, manchester, lancashire and yorkshire...

eye up duck tah nahs wit am wantin fa me suppa...
hello my lovely, whats for tea...
chezwantin abrewthen...

and amazingly, its all perfecty understandable... and it make England what it is. multicultural and diverse.

Answer 7

Yeah, people aren't as smart as you and me, LoveBug. A Couple posible solutions:
1) Beat them into using proper English.
2) Move to England. They may not use proper English but with that accent, they sure sound smart.
3) Become a teacher and change the world.
4) Learn to ignore people.
5) Get over yourself.

Answer 8

I reckon, you just don't need to visit south of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi. In fact just don't come to any southern state because, these here southern folk could just drive you a mite crazy with their southern slang. Sorry that's just the way they talk. Y'all come back now ya hear. :)

Answer 9

You have to remember that for a lot of people who are on here English is not their first language. lt would be like me trying to write in French and that would be improper French, because l can't write it let alone read it. But it does seem that nowadays people don't seem to care about how they write.

Answer 10

Nope I dont care as long as I understand it. Now ofcourse if this was for a business proposal or a medical document, then you would expect proper grammer and spelling to be used.

Answer 11

It don't bother me when people don't talk correct. I know a lot of people never been to a liberry but it ain't always they fault. Myself, I personally always try to talk proper. But if I di'int know no better, I think some people just don't give a d@mn!