Do you make judgments upon people based on their grammar? Your assumption of the reason for the bad grammar?

Question

Do you assume that people who make grammatical errors perhaps didn't have the money for or means of obtaining an education? Do you assume that they may be using English as a second language? What other assumptions have you made?

Some of you have come up with funny answers! lol

Answer 1

I just think a lot of people write how they speak. Then many use IM language, but I think most of us are just lazy and to relaxed to care how we write. lol

Answer 2

As a second laguage, I have absolutely no problem with poor or questionable grammar. I could only imagine what how I write in French with such limited experience.

The huge difference, which is pretty easy to notice, the they way in which the grammar is so bad. For example, someone that uses English as a second language may write "The grass green do grows near my house blue" because they are usually using the laws of their native language in an English context. Now, with just downright bad grammar using English as a first (and often only) language can be read something like, "wat dose yr dad do fr werk". A major difference between the two, and very easy to spot which is which if you look hard enough.

Now, on the subject of those that use bad grammar (especially on the internet), I blame nothing but complete laziness. People should have a large grasp of proper grammer by the time they are in highschool. You dont need a formal or any kind of higher education to know whether or not you're speaking/writing correctly. So money (or lack thereof) really has very little to do with bad grammar.

To further prove my point, a couple of months ago a university (forgot which one) did a study in the US. They found that people from the ages of 10-17, even though the majority will use improper grammar while writing text messages or emails have a normal, and sometimes higher than normal grasp on proper grammer and its rules.

Answer 3

The only judgments I make about people who use bad grammar are:

1) English is not their first language. This is quickly demonstrated (or not) based on the type of errors. It can be determined very quickly if speaking in person with them. They get more of a "pass" on grammar mistakes.

2) If English is their first language, then I assume they do not care enough about clear communication to meet normal grammar expectations and are also considerate. No matter how much education someone has, when communicating there is an expectation of good grammar, spelling and punctuation. Anything else obscures the message and is inconsiderate.

Answer 4

I have a lot to say on this topic because I am a linguist and I taught a class on this subject both semesters last year.

Almost everyone is constantly judging each other on their grammar, whether consciously or unconsciously. The dilemma for those who choose to consciously judge based on grammar, though, is that the rules by which we are supposed to judge are so unclear, for a number of reasons. Many previous answerers of this question claim that they learned grammar in elementary school, but I suspect that each person has very different understandings of the grammar rules applying to certain situations. Not to mention that there wouldn't have been a demand for the classes that I taught last year if people thought they really knew grammar! Those who choose to criticize others' grammar may soon discover themselves ironically using the exact same grammar "mistakes" that they've criticized in others. You will see this time and again on Yahoo! Answers, for example, when a question that complains about bad grammar has a spelling mistake, or something of the sort.

Even very educated people don't follow "grammar rules" all the time. It's just that people, on the whole, are largely unaware of exactly what their language behavior is. I think a very revealing exercise for anyone would be to tape record yourself in a conversation (with the interlocutors' permission, of course) and transcribe the conversation. On the occasions I've done this, I've learned A LOT about myself.

An interesting Internet search that anyone can do to learn more about how the grammar rules that we try to judge each other by were created is "history of prescriptivism".

Answer 5

Means or money? Come on,grammar is taught in elementary school. Poor grammar and lack of vocabulary makes you sound stupid even if you aren't. It isn't always the speakers fault though. In recent years,our schools have not placed the proper emphasis on language arts. Even some college grads are lacking in a good working knowledge of grammar,spelling and vocabulary because education is now all about specialization. I still can't help shuddering when I hear someone use double negatives and my initial reaction is they aren't too bright. Those using English as a second language are easier to spot for various reasons so I pass no negative judgment on them.

Answer 6

Sometimes I do, though I feel foolish when I realize I'm doing it.

Probably, I connect it with a lack of education, or maybe a lack of caring about education. Almost everyone in the US has access to TV, and most people on TV speak reasonably grammatical English. So, I'd assume laziness rather than lack of money...

But, when I hear a non-US accent, I'm impressed by the effort it takes to learn to communicate in another language. Grammatical errors don't detract from that.

Answer 7

If I answer honestly, then yes I do make judgements based on grammar, however, if someone appears as if they are speaking English as a second language then my impression of them is one of respect to take on another language. However, if you are over 18 and grew up in an English speaking culture and cannot speak properly in daily use, then yes, this gives me the first impression of poor education or manners. I have been proven wrong once getting to know a person individually however.

Answer 8

I do not judge them, but it certainly gives me a ruler as to what kind of person I am dealing with. I was taught proper grammar and sentence structure in the 3rd grade. I can tell if the person is just being lazy or cute, or just doesn't know any better.

I can tell when English is their second language and I do not fault them for that because I have to use my broken Spanish every day, hopefully it will get better....

I do believe that people should do everything in their power to improve their circumstances and if they have a computer and have the time to hang out on Yahoo, then they can learn sentence structure, punctuation, grammar, etc...In some of the postings, I have to struggle to figure out what they hell they are saying....

When I am writing, regardless of what I am writing for, it is an extension of myself. It is a form of communication. Why would I want to run the risk of being misunderstood or coming across as uneducated? I do not go to job interviews with a torn, dirty tee-shirt, I do not go to church unless I am dressed properly, I do not pull on Superman's cape nor do I spit in the wind. I believe it's just common sense. It is also one of my pet peeves

Answer 9

I typically assume that if it's not from being ignorrant of proper grammar (or surrounded by poor examples), then it's laziness: they can't be bothered to do it correctly, or to find out what's correct.
If it's something I'm reading where I can't tell if there's an accent, I often allow that the writer may not be familiar with the rules.
I never assume that they're less intelligent than someone who is using proper (or at least more correct) grammar.

Answer 10

I'm 34, i was taught the correct grammatical rules for writing in school, however I can't remember what they are it was too long ago and they are not as important as some people try to make out, these people that complain about grammer and typos are nitpickers - if you can understand the message it's done it's job, oh and research at cambridge univerisity has proven that correct spelling is unimportant

Answer 11

I definitely do.

If English is their first language, then I expect that a person who is intelligent will have picked up good spelling and grammar habits from talking, reading, writing.

If a person hasn't picked it up or corrected their bad grammar over the years, then I decide that they probably aren't smart (or they have a learning deficiency of some clinical sort).