Tired of the Grammar Nazi.

[ToyotaNSaturn]

Originally Posted By: greenaccord02
Originally Posted By: labman
I do have spell check and the pride to produce presentable posts.


With a healthy dose of alliteration, nonetheless!

 

[Audi Junkie]

 

[OVERKILL]

I had a (very good) interaction with another member recently in the NASCAR thread who was apologetic as to the conveyance of his thoughts lacking their intended precision, since English was not his first language.

I was completely unaware! His written English was far better than many who speak it natively.

I don't think anybody is expecting honours-level English out of board members. There are some on here who obviously take great pride in their ability to properly communicate their point in a clear and precise manner, using words that perhaps leave others searching for a dictionary. But this performance is surely not demanded of everybody.

I don't think there is anything wrong with the expectation that a native-English speaking individual should at least be able to communicate their point in a reasonably clear and concise manner. It makes the conversation easier for everybody involved and can lead to quicker answers and far less confusion.

 

[PF52]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL

I don't think anybody is expecting honours-level English out of board members.


I think we should, however, expect an attempt at full sentences and proper spelling from the native English speakers. After all, its the stuff they teach in schools; at least I think they still do.

Everyone makes typos from time to time but like I said earlier, "txt" isn't a real language and doesn't belong here.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Originally Posted By: Popinski
This is an mechanical/oil forum. There are hundreds of talented people on BITOG. So many people helped me because of this manly site and I am so happy that I got the help. My rant here is that people are ignorant enough to post about people's English grammar and vocab even if they're talented on another subject.

Just because a person's post has many grammar errors, how can you judge him while he's helping you with your car problems?



There is a difference between someone who occasionally spells a word incorrectly or makes a grammar faux pas and someone who can barely string a coherent sentence together. We all make occasional mistakes, but we're obligated to those who are reading the posts to at least make an effort at decent spelling and grammar. Those with handicaps or for whom English is a second language are of course an exception as long as the effort is put forth.

I have the privilege of quality checking the work of a lot of programmers from other countries, and it always astounds me when they have a better grasp of our language structure than a lot of people who natively learned our language.

An occasional mistake is completely acceptable; not even trying to grasp our language structure should not be acceptable under any conditions, even if this is just a "manly site".

Originally Posted By: Popinski
I'd rather have someone help me in poorly written English than perfect Spanish.


I'd prefer to teach our kids how to correctly write in both languages.

 

[Scooter_man]

heuked on fonics reeeely wurked fer me!

 

[LS2JSTS]

I am wondering.....If I were to start posting all my comments in the Ebonics form, would it be politically incorrect to critique my post?

 

[CharlieJ]

Do it and lets find out.

 

[greenaccord02]

Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
I am wondering.....If I were to start posting all my comments in the Ebonics form, would it be politically incorrect to critique my post?


Not if it isn't a commonly spoken dialect of english on this forum. It is a form of speech that might not be readily understood by the rest of the users, and therefore it would be correct to direct you toward standard english, which is something that we can all understand. Now, if we brought race or intelligence into it, then it would be both politically and actually incorrect.

This is fundamentally different from an accidental misspelling or poorly punctuated post. The dialect of english that you know as ebonics is simply a product of a descriptive rather than prescriptive understanding of language. It has identifiable and predictable features, patterns, and structures that set it apart from standard english. This is different from hitting the wrong key on the keyboard or not knowing where the comma goes.

Nice try, though.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Speaking of native tongues, why does my bank kiosk (Santander) ask me what language I prefer every time I make a deposit? You'ld think it would have a learning function. I just want to get outta there fast - the smelly guy, standing behind me and breathing down my neck, makes me uncomfortable whilst I manage my account in such an exposed, public place.

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Speaking of native tongues, why does my bank kiosk (Santander) ask me what language I prefer every time I make a deposit? You'ld think it would have a learning function. I just want to get outta there fast - the smelly guy, standing behind me and breathing down my neck, makes me uncomfortable whilst I manage my account in such an exposed, public place.


Have you tried just ignoring the language selection and punching in your pin? That works on my credit union ATM.

I also found out that if I ignore language selection and just start scanning that the automated checkout machines around here default to English.

 

[labman]

I do that too. I think English should be the default language, but don't object to an easy way to switch to Spanish.

 

[AcuraTech]

Misspelling complex or infrequently used words is one thing, but it seems that nobody these days can seem to figure out the difference between too, to, two/their, there, they're and other very basic grammar. It's almost like a very basic form of illiteracy.

The problem is that I think it's only going to get worse, a lot of people I know won't pick up a book or newspaper to save their lives. People have more free time than ever, but often spend it on brain dead activities like watching bad TV.

 

[greenaccord02]

Originally Posted By: labman
I do that too. I think English should be the default language, but don't object to an easy way to switch to Spanish.

+1

 

[tonycarguy]

It amazes me there are educated adults in college or who have graduated from college who write like... "i dun noe". I can understand using abbreviations when texting, but when you have a full keyboard in front of you, type in regular, correct English not SMS-for-12-year-olds

 

[scurvy]

Originally Posted By: tonycarguy
when you have a full keyboard in front of you, type in regular, correct English not SMS-for-12-year-olds
Not only do I wholeheartedly agree, but to extend this slightly - BITOG is an internet forum, which means the primary mode of communication is through the written (typed) word. So it behooves you to structure sentences properly and use correct grammar, spelling & punctuation in order to more accurately communicate your ideas.

Nobody's going to think your automotive skills aren't up to snuff if you make a comma splice or never take your advice because you use 'Mobile' lubricants, but we're mostly adults and should be able to communicate like adults. Some of the posters (here and on every other forum) have truly atrocious grammar & spelling to the point their posts are illegible.

If wanting people to communicate via writing complete thoughts through mostly structured sentences with semi-correct spelling & punctuation makes me part of ze Grammatik Schutzstaffel, so be it.

 

[Benzadmiral]

Since I think it's rather appropriate language for an oil forum, I'm going to quote my earlier response to another poster who wondered why we care so much about "grammer" [sic] in this forum:

Because it's part of proper human communication.

English may have weird spelling and lots of exceptions to its rules, but we accept that as a tradeoff for the turbocharged power this language gives us . . . when we use it properly.

Change your verb tenses as appropriate, keep the subject-verb agreement topped off, properly inflate the spelling, and English'll serve you for a lot of years.

That is all.