How is it that even with spell check offered, so many people submit questions and answers with bad spelling?

Question

I am stunned at the level of bad grammer, poor spelling, no capitalization, etc. that people allow when they ask or answer a question. What you publish is a reflection of your effort, intent and care. Why present a profoundly flawed statement and still expect people to value what you say? I am baffled and somewhat disheartened. Any insights will be helpful.

Answer 1

language is a means of communication,if it is not done perfectly, it may not exactly communicate the feeling of the person who uses bad language. yes you are right, NOW a days, people, especially the youth does not bother about the spelling, grammar etc as they are influenced by Internet lexicon. this trend is to go.

Answer 2

There's a new way kids communicate when text-messaging -- I don't even know what it's called but they'll write "c" for "see," etc. They often carry it over to their posts here. If they communicate with each other, I guess that's okay, as long as they know how to communicate in a more formal way as well. (I was just thinking about this re: my 11 year-old son. I think he can use both as appropriate, and I suppose I should have the same confidence in other kids).

Maybe I'm wrong, but I also think some of the posters are learning English and practicing here. There are a lot of references to India, and if they've grown up speaking Hindi or whatever their English skills may not be what we'd expect from American or British kids.

Also, in my opinion spell-check is grossly overrated. The newspapers use it, and often the errors are so appalling they'd be funny if the person writing wasn't supposed to be a professional

Answer 3

First of all spell check does not correct grammar and capitalization.
Many of us are not English speaking in the first place, some of us struggle to become better others are proud of what they already know. 8-9 years ago when I started using the web I didn't care to check spelling or grammar since I thought I was doing a good job with my writings. (That of course proves that my teachers gave out grades that was worth nothing in reality.)

Then there is the fact that we live in the "fast instant gratification era" people really don't care as long as it's done fast and turns out give some sort of gratification. "Hey! I'm posting on the web where everybody can see me! I don't care if I look like as a ignorant fool, people can see me that's what's important!"

Edit to add;
I use a browser that don't have spell check, not in the toolbar and it doesn't show the spell check that I know Yahoo have here at YA! Sometimes I just hope it's right instead of copying and pasting it into a Word document to check it and copy and paste it all back.

Answer 4

(Did you mean "grammar"?) I've tried the spellchecker only a couple times, but I thought it was sluggish.

I enjoy reading questions and answers that convey respect, and I agree with you that presentation matters. However, certain misspellings are stylish these days--perhaps a logical consequence of people with the same real names needing unique screen names?

I'm no expert in the evolution of language, but I do know that it's beyond my control--and I don't think it's a battle worth fighting, for several reasons. First, it's unwinnable. Second, this trend in writing styles seems to be a rejection of authority, and resistance will only feed it. Third, I suspect that my attitude about this is motivated by my own fear of the unknown (I'm accustomed to the standard way of doing things; do I have to learn a whole new set of rules?). Perhaps it's time for me to learn what other people are doing with the art of communication.

Trying to interpret leetspeak, etc. has become a game for me. I don't claim to be any good at it, but when I view it this way I tend not to get frustrated by others' mutilations of my language.

Answer 5

Well, mistakes do happen. I note your spelling of "grammar" with some dismay.

I think that there are several reasons why some don't spell check.

For one, young adults are predisposed to attempt to abbreviate their words because they are so adept at communicating using text messaging. In that world, misspellings are acceptable and expected.

For another, some become so enthralled with the brilliance of their question that they cannot waste an extra few seconds before posting it for all of the world to see.

Additionally, if you type in too many characters before doing the spell check, it ceases to function properly.

I, myself, have encountered this problem and have resorted to only a cursory look at my possible misspellings.

I've found that if I want to continue to enjoy this site, I must choose to accept the bad phraseology and spelling and focus on the questions, which are usually most intriguing and insightful.

Answer 6

This is the state of the world today. No one has time and everyone is in a hurry. That is why people offer their questions and suggestions with such poor grammar just as yourself in the first line. :) (grammEr)

Answer 7

Lack of education would be my guess. School has to be too easy anymore and schools are so afraid of lawsuits if they stand up and try and enforce rules, so what is the point?? No one tries.

Answer 8

Laziness!

Answer 9

We have a whole generation of semi-illiterates thanks to our badly flawed ed. system. They cannot even recognize that they cannot spell or write grammatically. They do not read books or newspapers and see no reason to change.

Answer 10

For the same reason you post this in the psychology section: indifference or ignorance.