Is it just me that is a stickler for correct spelling??

Question

I like reading different kinds of questions on here but I get annoyed with the spelling mistakes and the lack of punctuation. No capitals, commas or full stops etc. I know with mobile phones there are a lot of shortcuts ( I use them myself) but this is just because of a lack of space. Are people just lazy and can't be bothered or is it a genuine lack of education??

Answer 1

I'm fussy too, but I think we're pretty much alone. I'm guessing you're not a teen? I don't think it's an education thing (all those qualifications) but they seem to write a different language. All electronic shorthand that makes me feel like a dinosaur. Maybe we're just unadaptable...

Answer 2

In this context- where people are just having some fun online (and like others have said maybe english isn't their 1st language, or they're young kids) it doesn't bother me so much, but I see it everywhere, the worst that I see is on job applications!! I also hear a great deal of people speak exactly as they write in this type of forum, and that does bother me- I'm concerned for these kids that are learning to read, write and speak solely in the language of i.m.
Even if someone is very intelligent, if they can't express themselves intelligently, their intelligence can be overlooked, and that's a shame
Sorry if a bit off topic

Answer 3

You are not alone. I work in a call centre and I am appalled by how people spell and punctuate.
The younger staff are more prone to spelling as they would on a mobile phone. I would guess it begins with simply being lazy, however, it soon becomes normal to mis-spell because that person has forgot how the word is supposed to be spelt.

Answer 4

I pity you for asking this question, because I'm willing to bet that most of your answers will be sarcastic and intentionally misspelled.

I used to be extremely anal about spelling, but after I started spending more time online I learned to laugh at some of the unintelligible things. I love when there are questions or answers entirely devoid of complete words. Its kind of like a puzzle, I guess. Milton-Bradley could market it: "Decipher moron-speech! Its better than crosswords!" In all seriousness, sometimes I feel like everyone is regressing when it comes to language. Some argue that its faster to abbreviate, and honestly I don't type out many full words when I text message. Still, I may be a worrywart, but I can't help but wonder how far its going to go.

I guess I could sum all of it up in one, eloquent statement:

Mbg, tyer gogt plz plz plz.

Answer 5

I agree, I'm the same way...It's a bit annoying when you read words obviously spelt wrong...No one seems to care anymore, and the kids are so much used to using the 'Spell Checker'...I have to admit that I'm getting a bit lazy too...I 'know' how to spell and use the correct pronunciation but it's sometimes quicker just to leave it as it is, rather than go back and re correct it.

Answer 6

I'm not a stickler for correct spelling on this site. Many of the users on here are young kids so they aren't too concerned about correct spelling. Numerous other people who use this site do not speak English well, so the spelling is difficult for them. English is a tough language in many ways, and all of us find some things easier than others. I have lots of patience with the spelling and grammar errors. Life is too short and precious to let them get to me.

You might get a laugh out of this poem:

When the English tongue we speak
Why is break not rhymed with freak?
Will you tell me why it’s true
We say sew, but likewise few?
And the maker of a verse,
Cannot rhyme his horse with worse?
Beard is not the same as heard,
Cord is different from word,
Cow is cow, but low is low,
Shoe is never rhymed with foe.
Think of hose and dose and lose,
And think of goose and yet of choose,
Think of comb and tomb and bomb,
Doll and roll and home and some.
And since pay is rhymed with say,
Why not paid with said I pray?
Think of blood and food and good;
Mould is not pronounced like could.
Wherefore done, but gone and lone -
Is there any reason known?
To sum up all, it seems to me
Sounds and letters don’t agree.

Answer 7

My spelling is usually appalling but I do make and effort. English is not everybody's first language.
I don't see the point in writing 'dat' when you mean 'that'. It's not that much shorter. I blame mobile phones. I am not sure why people don't record a voice message and send that. It costs the same and is quicker.

Did you triple check your question so you would not look like a prat?

Answer 8

No, you are not the only one who is a stickler for proper spelling and grammar. Most people are lazy when it comes to correct spelling and grammar. One would think that after the obscene amount of time a person spends in school, they would have cared enough to have (at least) picked up a minuscule amount of useful information from years worth of English classes.

Sometimes you just have to sit back and laugh, though. We all have our moments when it comes to spelling and grammar. It is hard to be 100% correct with it all the time. We must not forget those who have learned ESL. I am more understanding in their cases as opposed to people who have spoken english all of their lives and failed to pay attention in English class.

Answer 9

People can't be bothered. Most of the time, it is not because they lack the knowledge.
However, in your question, it should read
"or full stops, etc." You missed a comma, so take it easy on other people. No one is perfect.

Answer 10

Both,I fear.Teachers have been told not to correct every spelling mistake and/or punctuation error, lest the poor bast***s get upset.Diddums! Thus , they never learn from their mistakes because they are unaware that they have made any.