Ignorance or stupidity?

Question

I am completely sick of all the poor grammar, spelling, and punctuation on this site. Until recently, I had been willing to give the transgressors the benefit of the doubt and chalk it up to ignorance, i.e. simply not knowing any better. Now, I realise that there are many non-native English-speakers here, but it's pretty clear who they are.
I've finally decided to just ask, and, like a fool, hope for serious, honest answers.

Which is it? Was/Is your education so poor that were never taught or given access to materials to instruct you in the proper use of the language? Or have you simply so little respect for yourself and your expression that you choose not to exercise your skills?
I must say that I am particularly appalled when I come across questions posed by parents with school-aged children.
So, which is it?

Obviously, Pokey. Thanks.

Oh, I am, HAHA. I am.

The consensus seems to be that laziness is to blame. I suppose I can accept that... Though, it's not very encouraging. It's much more difficult to teach someone to resist sloth than it is to spell and punctuate correctly.

All of this upsets me so because it undermines my faith in humanity's ability to progress. We are capable of limitless accomplishment, and it just breaks my heart to think of all of the wonderful achievements I'm going to miss because so many are so 'lazy.'

Avantikaj, you ARE a Mensan, aren't you? I'm glad to see you.

P, I think I love you. If I weren't already married... ;)

Answer 1

Laziness, mostly, and the fact that "slanguage" seems to be aided and abetted

Answer 2

I understand your frustration.

Non-Native speakers have a hard time adapting specially if you come from a country that doesn't even use the same alphabet. Some people are lucky to have a good education others are not.

It is a personal responsibility to better yourself. So yes, laziness is to blame.

Now don't go around looking down on people just because they don't have the same education level as you do. That is not polite. Imagine yourself in a foreign country trying to learn a new language, not having enough time to go to school to learn it and having to rely on what other people teach you. Just imagine that. I am not saying it's an excuse. But just try to imagine that.

Answer 3

It's a combination of things. Fast access to spell check and grammar checks are part. The point that teachers are now required to teach beyond the basics is also part. Personally, my mistakes are due to a learning disability.

To answer your question the best I can, most people I know just do not believe it matters much when posting in a forum as this and revert to using slang and ignore typing errors. So ignorance or stupidity? No ... pure laziness? I think there is a winner!

Answer 4

1- Since you admit that you've realized that there are many non-native English-speakers here , it's a good thing that these non-native participate in this site despite the fact that they lack control of English
2- If someone asks "what is language? , I'm sure you will in no time answer that it is a means of human communication . Even when you knock at the door of a friend , this is certainly a means of communication . Knocking at the door will attract the attention that there is someone at the door . So it's obvious you're a native English -speaker ; therefore you have yourself to encourage those who try to express themselves in English . I'm sure you understand what they write whether the writing is correctly-punctualized or not .So it is neither ignorance nor stupidity . It's lack of practice .

Answer 5

It is the age we live in. I am 21 years old and I find myself using poor grammar all the time I am credit AIM with that. I really got into the whole online chatting thing and abbreviating everything that I type. What makes it even worse is that when I am typing a paper, essay, or letter I will use works like "u" or "urself" and have Microsoft Word autocorrect it to substitute in "you" or "yourself" for me so I dont even know I am making the error... I am often appalled at my own actions and I really feel bad for people like you that feel this way because I feel that way too yet I am committing these crimes.

(Once I got done typing this I pasted it into Word to see what errors I made so I didn't look like a complete moron and I noticed that when I typed the word "dont," I didn't use the apostrophe nor did I when i typed the work "didn't" but I only caught that error because I was typing about it)

Answer 6

Both...as for myself, i feel that there are times when my grammar should be correct (seeing as how i'm an english major). But on here I use slang and akward spellings of words just becuz the forum isn't a place where I feel I NEED to use proper grammar all the time. So...i've been taught better....been taught very well actually...but sometimes, I just don't feel like being PROPER

Answer 7

Uneducated, uninstructed, unlearned, unschooled, untaught, untutored are most likely the culprits for ignorance. Stupidity on the other hand is usually a problem from birth and they simply can not absorb information. So I would have to go with ignorance. But there again these questions and answers are not being sent to your CEO, or your english teacher either ! So why worry about grammar ?
P.S. Realize not realise

Answer 8

Y don't you just step off...This site doesn't need a grammar monitor. Sometimes incorrect spelling, etc can still easily convey the meaning intended by the typer and also shorten the word at the same time.

Most of us can use proper grammar if we want. <--SEE! :D

And those can't may be anywhere from foreigners to to school age children, in which a little slip-ups in english grammar and spelling should be understood.

So relax...

Answer 9

Ok, I'll explain it to you. My brother is in third grade and his SPEECH PATHOLOGIST always confuses "they're", "their", and "there" in notes to my parents, spelled fourth grade "forth" in a handwritten note, and confuses affect/effect. It's appalling that my brother's education is put in her hands...
Also, I don't get why people have to shorten words on instant messaging like "u". It's not even that much shorter. I type like a normal person and it doesn't make my typing slower at all.
English is my second language, and oftentimes i find native English speakers to have really bad grammar even though they've been speaking the language all their life. I guess they don't put as much an effort into learning since they probably write as they would speak. But still...it's really sad.

Answer 10

I think one should work on his/her skills and try not to write with spelling mistakes. However, having one or two mistakes is noting if we consider that there are so many people here who have another native language but they still communicate in English. But again, wheter native or not, we should try not to be too wrong; it is a sign of irresponsibility.

Answer 11

I don't like smartasses....only because you are able to use words like transgressors and appalled and know what it means doesn't mean other people have to be as smart as you are. Yes, here are many people not born and educated in USA, I am one of them. I speak, write and read in three (3) languages and do my best...how many languages can you speak, write and read 100% perfect???

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