Horrible spelling on these boards.?

Question

Is it me, or do the spelling mistakes on these boards drive you nuts? Should I get over it, or insist that people use correct spelling and grammar when posting questions and answers?

Answer 1

The horrendous spelling is not unique to these boards. It's as widespread as the internet itself. It's very easy then to blame poor English skills on the fact that non-English speakers are also using these forums. But I don't think that's the real reason. It's pretty clear to me that the worst spelling and grammar mistakes are committed by native speakers. I honestly believe a culture of 'degraded' a.k.a. 'bastardized' language is being perpetrated by electronic media such as text messages, e-mail, chat, etc. People (especially those who grew up with text messaging) don't know proper language skills and no longer care to learn.

Answer 2

I agree with you and especially with Jeremy K!

You can't insist that people use correct spelling and grammar because those who don't use them usually don't listen, or don't read (as when a sign is posted on one side of a pair of double doors, that reads: Please use other door. But an idiot ignores the sign and tries to open the door with the posted sign.) They don't listen, they don't read, and they don't think. They even admit it sometimes: "Well, gee, I didn't think . . ."

And, if you're like me, you can't just "get over it" because it doesn't go away, but rears its ugly head with every other posting.

The best thing to do is just be glad that some people are the "designated idiots" in the world, and thankfully you're not one of them.

My computer troubleshooting son uses a special term for those who are not computer literate, but they think they are: ID10T.

Look closely and it "spells" IDIOT, an apt description for some of the people who post on a computer internet forum like Y! A.

Answer 3

Because this is the internet. Spelling is not as important here as it is in real life. There is also a thing called "internet lingo" and I believe that it has been around for somet time now. Some short words may seem to be spelled incorrectly, but they actually mean something else.

Answer 4

I too am shocked that people don't just use the spellcheck, it's really not rocket science right?
But on the other hand, I know that some are just bad spellers or in a hurry.
So, I guess I would say "get over it".

Answer 5

There, there....now here's a tissue: wipe off your tears, blow your nose and get on with your life.

Er, what exactly do you mean by "insisting"? How do you plan to sanction bad spelling? Sending bad karma down the line?

Answer 6

Bothers me too. It's not just on here, though, it's all over. You should read the book Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynn Truss. It's for us sticklers!

Answer 7

The only time it bothers me, is when the question is so mangled I can't come close to understanding it. It then becomes obvious that the person that asked it, gave absolutely no thought as to how it would look to another person. How inconsiderate.

Answer 8

I think many people feel the same about it.
But you should get over it, because there is no way to get people to write in the correct manner if they don't want to.

Answer 9

i agree that people do have horrible spelling on these boards. there is really no way to stop them. you can't exactly report them or anything. i wish you could, but unfortunately you can't. sorry.

good luck with finding a way to get people to stop!!!

Answer 10

No, it's not just you. It's me too.
Alas, nothing can be done about the poor spelling if the writers are poorly educated. Frankly, they don't give a damn.