Re: thread titles (gated, things to do, teacher)

[ThatTNGuy]

Originally Posted by domino

When did the idea of corresponding and conversing in grammatically correct English become elitist?

Read both my post and the post I quoted again. As evidenced by my posts, I do take the time to write with correct grammar, capitalization, punctuation, etc. I could forego all of that, but it has simply become habit by now. Plus, I would never disagree with the suggestion that posting in correct English is a good idea - even if it's not necessary, it can't hurt.

What I DO take issue with, however, is Lovehound's ridiculous assertion that he won't lower himself to reading posts that aren't written in perfect English. What kind of person takes an internet forum quite that seriously? I can read a sentence if the first word isn't capitalized and the period is omitted at the end, and it's entirely possible that a very intelligent person is the author of said sentence. The idea of conversing in "grammatically correct English" is not elitist. The idea that one shouldn't "lower" oneself to reading posts using incorrect English, and the idea that all who don't use correct English on an informal internet forum are stupid or lazy, is absolutely elitist. Lovehound seems to look down (in a serious way) on all who don't have a desire to write in a formal and professional manner at all times.

Elitist is as elitist does.

I do think the occasional typo or subject/verb disagreement can be overlooked.

Very generous of you. What if the mistake is more serious in nature?

[lisdol]

You guys should peruse a professional medical transcriptionists' forum if you really want to see a hyper attitude towards proper English.

Forget spelling, their/there/they're, affect/effect, etc... (and that is three dots and three dots only after that "etc"). These people will nitpick you to death over the placement of a comma in a question that has nothing to do with commas.

For instance, a young person enters the forum with a question about studying to become a transcriptionist. Their question will not be worded perfectly, but will have better grammar than the average post in internet forums. I have seen these posters get told time and again, "Go back and learn proper grammar and style before you even think about becoming a medical transcriptionist". Hmm, thought that was what part of the training was for?? I was gainfully employed as a transcriptionist, with stellar grammar and punctuation in my work documents, but I was quite fearful of typing anything in that forum.

Back to the topic at hand, I think proper spelling, grammar, etc... in titles is more important than posts, for the sheer reason I won't even open the thread if the title alone is difficult to read or is ambiguous. Once in the thread, I might give a poorly written question a shot, but, more often than not, I am simply impressed by those who can filter through the poor writing to figure out the question and answer it.

My three big pet peeves are: Writing Every Word In Caps, writing incredibly long runon sentences or not capitalizing anything so it looks like a runon sentence even though there are periods, nd rtng lk u R txtng (txt on ur phn, write on a message board).

[lisdol]

Originally Posted by ThatTNGuy

Very generous of you. What if the mistake is more serious in nature?

Then the Grammar Police will come to your home, drag you away, and beat you with an old fashioned HBJ Grammar textbook until you mind your Ps and Qs.

[Pintada Kid]

One of the Reasons people can be off in their spelling is their Vision cant see a mispelled word or leter missing slow downloading or battery operated keyboards that dont work right or get stuck while typing or batteries are down or their TVs if they have web tv are too bright. pintada kid at webtv.net

[Vinegaroon]

I think someone should find Pintada Kid right now and arrest him. The dude does not know how to use paragraphs.

[truckzter]

Originally Posted by Lovehound

I'm not sure what it means to direct writing towards an academic audience. Does that mean you should intentionally dumb things down for non-academic audiences? Insert some spelling mistakes, screw up the punctuation, skip the capitalization?

Hi Lovehound,

An academic audience is just an audience (readers, hearers, etc.) in academia (university). Academic writing is formal, typically stays in the 3rd person (no "I"), and written with impeccable grammar (cross fingers!).

Your description of good writing reminds me of the academic world -- how I expect my students (and myself) to write.

On the other hand, there is informal/casual writing which lends itself to MySpace, maybe CD, and other venues (often Letters to the Editor) where we (people) write as we speak.

It's really all about audience (who will read/hear it) and your (the author) purpose -- do you want it to be informal or formal?

I hope that makes sense.

[Pintada Kid]

I have a Good Police Record and Driving Record so please dont go and Louse it up by arresting me for not posting paragraphs. ha ha pintada kid at webtv.net

[Lovehound]

Originally Posted by domino

When did the idea of corresponding and conversing in grammatically correct English become elitist? I do think the occasional typo or subject/verb disagreement can be overlooked.

Actually there is such an attitude, in school. Some kids do poorly and they don't like the brighter kids making them look stupid so they try to make other students believe that being smart is nerdy and un-cool. It's along the same lines as saying that squealing is bad.

Originally Posted by ThatTNGuy

What I DO take issue with, however, is Lovehound's ridiculous assertion that he won't lower himself to reading posts that aren't written in perfect English.

I didn't say that perfect English is necessary. I admit that even my own has occasional grammatic, spelling and punctuation errors.

What I refuse to read is texting-like posts with no paragraphing, no capitalization, random punctuation and silly abbreviations like 'ne1' for 'anyone.'

That goes for thread titles too, like "need help" or "got a problem." Mr. "got a problem" has got a problem getting enough neurons to fire at the same time and collect his thoughts coherently enough to describe the thread topic in several words.

Why don't you just text your posts and I'll refuse to read them or reply to them? Then we'll both be happy!

[truckzter]

Originally Posted by Lovehound

That goes for thread titles too, like "need help" or "got a problem." Mr. "got a problem" has got a problem getting enough neurons to fire at the same time and collect his thoughts coherently enough to describe the thread topic in several words.

LOL (oops). But that was funny!



************

LOL = Laugh Out Loud (a big laugh out loud)

v.

lol = a little laugh out loud.

[20yrsinBranson]

Because of a sleep disorder I am frequently posting to threads at 2:00 am or later. Even though I can't sleep, I'm still dog-tired and frankly not all that concerned with the quality of my grammar nor the need for always-correct spelling.

Having a [worthless] English degree myself, I used to be tres anal about people who insisted on misusing and abusing the language in their posts. But, whether I am getting older or just more tolerant, such things do not bother me nearly as much as they used to. It seems more important to me to have the freedom of unfettered conversation and sharing of ideas, emotions, etc. Grammar be damned!

Some of the most charming, meaningful, moving posts I have read online were fraught with bad grammar and truly awful spelling mistakes. So what? There are more important things in life. Really. IMHO YMMV

20yrsinBranson