Do you sometimes despair at the standard of written English?

Question

liek wot we see al tha tim on hear????!!!!

I used to teach in primary schools and I would not accept some of the grammar and spelling we see on here from 9 or ten year olds never mind from teenagers or even adults. What do you think is the primary cause of this? The Internet or texting, or something else?

Its more of an open discussion than a question really, but it does concern me.

I'm specifically thinking about written English, not spoken regional English (I'm something of a supporter of regional identity) but its still a valid related area I suppose.

j_jdream - I'm not at all critisicing the occasional typo, I'm probably the worst offender. You are totally forgiven :)

derbydolphin - good point and I certainly didn't mean to pick out those who have a problem with literacy but that is not the majority by any means. And surely we should expect educational standards to improve? (Now I sound like a grumpy old man :) )

Mar - I sympathise with anyone who suffers from Dyslexia (as does my wife and daughter) but that is not what I am talking about. You are not honestly trying to say that everyone who writes bad English has Dyslexia are you? I have helped several students get support for Dyslexia, I don't think its very fair of you to make judgements about me from this one generalised question.

Mar, again - I have never said that this was more important than anything else, or that there are not other things for me to worry about, I simply thought it might be a subject that would raise some interesting thoughts on a subject that does interest me. Please don't take it so seriously, I am not targetting you, or any other Dyslexia sufferer (as explained above). I'm sorry if the question upset you.

I'm quite happy (and hoping) for people to disagree but "no" or "not really" is hardly worth the effort. Tell me WHY you think we should ignore standards of written English. In other words show me that your grammar and spelling does NOT reflect your intelligence. That would be some reassurance at least.

Answer 1

Due to suffering from dyslexia and poor education I can sympathise with anyone who is struggling with their spelling and grammar. They don't need some holier than thou.school teacher destroying their confidence.As long as I can read the question I am happy,If their spelling is really bad I can only sympathise with them, and wish they would seek some help. Adult education is nothing like going to school these people are there to help build you confidence, which people like you failed to do. HATE PEOPLE WHO NIT PICK AT SPELLING MISTAKES.

Answer 2

There never was a golden age when everyone could write coherent, correctly punctuated English. The only difference today is that everyone can expose their writing skills to a wider audience and the truth about levels of literacy have been revealed. Way back, when large numbers of 'diggers of holes and hewers of wood' were conscripted into the armed forces for WWI and WWII, people in authority were shocked at the poor levels of literacy in the population as a whole. It was a surprise to the educated elite who had never bothered themselves about the 'lower orders' too much.
If you look at some of the figures (see below) you can see that the proportions have not altered much over the last sixty years, there have always been people who find reading and writing, as well as basic arithmetic, a problem.

Answer 3

As I teacher I despair at the standard of English seen almost everywhere.

Much of the homework I receive is illegible due to the amount of "txtspk", poor spelling, non-existent grammar and illegible handwriting.

The most depressing thing is that when I try to explain the need for standard english, I may as well be talking to the wall.

Unfortunately the same standards seem to apply on this and other sites. I often find it difficult not to correct other peoples' spelling and grammar when I respond to there questions.

I think video games and poor parenting are blame. Kids just aren't encouraged to read enough nowadays.

Answer 4

It is the social need to belong to certain groups - chavs speak one way innit etc, and then a lot of general UK English (spoken by English people) has its own regional colloquilisms, (Essex for example), all a far cry from the Queen's English which is the only correct spoken form of the language. The only problem is that if you speak the Queen's English you run the risk of coming across as a bit snobbish.
The really ghastly inexcusable mistakes is the badly written English in the tabloids - I am sure as a result my own spelling is begining to suffer.

Answer 5

I do despair of the standard of written English. (I think this kind of forum is kinda (sic) different). It is less to do with the mechanics of writing, as with the fact that so many people fail to organise their thoughts into anything resembling logic. They simply don't understand what it is they are trying to say and end up tying themselves in linguistic knots.

Worst offenders are those in business who indulge in purple patches at the expense of getting their message across (and who think erudite is a tube of glue).

Why does this happen? I think that people do not read enough good examples to see how it should be done - although I am pleased to see J K Rowlings work has encouraged a new generation (as Tolkien and CS Lewis did for mine). I always check spellingsand meanings I am not sure of, and the act of looking it up helps it stick. Now that you can check it online means there's even less excuse than ever.

Merry Christmas

Answer 6

It's sad.

I think i could spell fluently by the age of thirteen and i read a study recently that said some fifteen year old's can't even spell their own name !

The text craze play's a major part in the illiteracy of many youngster's these day's. It's deemed "cool" to write,and even speak like a **** !

I've also noticed a lot of "ghetto" talk on here too. That was a new one to me until i saw it here.

It's all "dat" and "dis"

I find it extremely sad how the English language is being totally abused.

Answer 7

Yes, it's sad. It's been dummed down for 30 years or so. In the 70s spelling wasn't considered important across school subjects other than English. But take heart...although we've let down a generation the wheel is now turning full circle. Spelling and grammar is now being checked in all subjects at good schools. Hopefully commas and semi colons etc. will be understood by up coming pupils.

Answer 8

Well, with regards to the spelling, most of the time, when i'm on the internet, typing with a keyboard and make a mistake, it's just too inconvenient to have to go back and proofread and fix the work. And sometimes i really just can't be bothered using the caps locks button or the apostrophe button for a letter here, or a word there.

But yeah, i suppose you're right. Although one could argue that the bad spelling is done purposely by teens/adults in an attempt to be cool.

Answer 9

I think it's the way children have grown up with mobile phones.It's this texting language.Shortened to send a quick message on a small phone screen, however they seem to carry the same text on in every other way now too.You only need to read some questions and answers on here to see that.I taught young children to read at a local infants school.It's sad how many of them from the age of 7 can't read properly.Many parents just don't take the time to teach them.

Answer 10

My English grammar is terrible the reason being lack of an education as a youngster today it hinders me so much and i regret i didn't try in school or should of been in school young people in education today finds school boring and to much English is forced upon them.
school is not fun anymore in fact being a teenager is no longer fun due to political correctness rule and young people having no say in life every thing is decided for them the standard they should be at the way to conduct themselves what they should eat drink when where it is ridiculous there childhood has been stolen from them children used to like school have fun laugh and carry on no more see young people coming out of school now into a car whisked away to sit in their bedroom on line no more going out playing in the woods or down by the river or beech because it is unsafe today to let your young children out for a game of footy or it is not aloud for young people to hang around with friends Dave (Mentor)

Answer 11

Yes I do, some of the e-mails I get from my staff are horrendous and sometimes difficult to make out. It has caused issues and mistakes in the past.

There is a time and a place for slang and the work place is not it! The reason behind this I believe is that people just except it - I don't anymore at work.