Could anybody explain to me why the standard of English has become so poor in the questions and answers posted

Question

The spelling, syntax and general grammar has become extremely poor that a large number of questions and answers posted become so ambiguous that it is hard to tell what the person posting actually means. It's as if nobody proof reads their postings, or knows how to structure a sentence or read correctly. I would not mind, but Word has a grammar and spell checking facility.

Why are standards to poor?

Answer 1

Don't be so hard on people for this!

Many, if not most, are classic English as a second language mistakes.
-although I admit there is some laziness at work as well.

Remember this is an international forum and many people on here are doing the best they can with their English skills.

Many of them may be much smarter and more hardworking than those of us who are grammar geeks.

Answer 2

As a person who has had the benefit of a lifetime teaching (Art), I'd like to make a few comments;

The medium of blogging, posting is informal and more akin to speaking than writing. Many of us do not use language formally and some appear not to appreciate that writing is different from talking. Many computer users appear not to read and do not seem to have the experience of reading extended texts. (perhaps the testing mania prelevant in the educational systems of the USA and UK militate against the enjoyment of reading). A number of particpants seem to be young and therefore will be seeking identity and expression and rebelling against restriction and formallty. Unfortunately again, within anglo-saxon educational establishments the "street" culture rules with a heavy hand - the greatest "sin" is seen to be a "prof" or a "boff". The "jocks" rule, you can't afford to be seen to be intelligent and the penalty for doing so is heavy. Unfortunately the movies and mass media promote this attitude, it's profitable to do so, popular and industry would prefer not to deal with well informed, literate and intelligent consumers. However when it comes to employees, the attitude changes, then they want their graduates to be highly intelligent and articulate. Hence the situation of Oxford graduates competing in the media to produce seductive but dumb shows that are often destructive. For example "Big Brother" , highly manipulative, clever and well presented media output, getting more and more extreme in the pursuit of audience figures.

Answer 3

I don't know, but as a fellow Grammar Nazi, I feel your pain. I've never noted people online to be particularly careful with spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Plus it doesn't help that most of them have perhaps an 8th-grade education. That doesn't excuse them, though. I was producing better-quality statements in third grade than some of these people. Of course, I also taught myself to read at the age of 2, so that might have had something to do with it. XD

Answer 4

I have noticed five errors in your own passage of text. I do not claim to be perfect either. The grammar and spell checking facilities on computers are limited to detecting non-words.

In the UK, as much as 30% of the population do not have more than a functional knowledge of written English.

For myself, as long as the person writing can make themself clear to the reader the question they are asking, that is fine.

Also bear in mind that some of the people posting on here do not have English as their first language.

Hope that helps

Answer 5

So you type everything you send through Answers into Word first to spell check?

And if you are such a role model for spelling/syntax/grammar expertise then why say 'why are standards to poor' when it should be 'too'

ahem.

Answer 6

I agree that the common of English on "solutions" is particularly undesirable. i think of that there are a number of reasons for the enormous numbers of human beings who insist on utilising undesirable grammar, careless spelling and "textual content cloth communicate" which incorporate right here:- a million. Overuse of texting on cellular telephones 2. An over-extensive curriculum which does no longer focus on the middle matters of analyzing and Writing. 3. Many little ones are no longer being inspired to stable examine books at homestead. 4. instructors are no longer inspired to mark incorrectly spelt words; this is the content cloth of a written passage it is deemed to be of extra magnitude. 5. Carelessness and laziness. i could think of that the common of English could desire to strengthen with the increasing use of observe processors that have spell-examine and word record centers, regrettably, i do no longer think of it is the case. i don't be responsive to if this appalling common of English is rife in the first inhabitants yet I certainly desire no longer. no count if this is I worry for a manner forward for the English language.

Answer 7

cos its gone 2.30 am

cos we are mid week so is likely we have had afew to drown our sorrows/ dutch courage for the next day/hair of dog from weekend.

And plus its been a long time since school for most of us. (Being them under 15's have settled down for thier early start tomorrow) and so we revel in our rebellion against hitlers of the 80's and 90's.

Maybe its to do with sleep. Maybe you have hit on some scientific genetic trend- maybe insomnia and poor grammar are inextricably linked.
Maybe that I am not stupid afterall- I am just an insomniac- the root to all my problems !

Answer 8

The British (New) Labour party under Tony Blair has used all the school money in Iraq and Afghanistan. So as you can see from the results, standards have dropped badly. They are now so low that children have to share re cycled A4 paper. And teachers are being imported from Poland to teach that one - Shakespeare!

Answer 9

I am as bemused as you. I am a little out of touch with standards and I thought it must now be the norm in UK. The Yahoo spell checker is the best I have used

Answer 10

If you think this bad, you should visit Detroit sometime and try having a simple conversation with blacks. I can't understand half of what they say. I'd guess that only 3% don't use slang, and they actually pronounce the words correctly.