Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

its still a very debated topic about fluoride. I lived in an area with fluoridated water and because i drank more water than the average person from a young age its left me with discoloured teeth. One area of Scotland has the healthiest teeth in Britain, and its also an area where fluoride had been ousted.

Yeah I agree. Thats winds me up too. I think a lot of people find it easier to think - I must be dyslexic - and give up on learning. As for blaming the education system? Having seen different schools I found the standard varies massively. I recently read a year 11 student GCSE English essay about Alfred Hitch**** describing the 'wounds' inflicted in Pyscho as 'wombs', she had also talked about 'psychological tournament' (torment), and consequently got a B!

I'm very pedantic about spelling (Ebay cracks me up!), but I'm also the only person I know who looks up words they can't spell. I think people don't in fear of looking stupid. :)

(As for getting capitals right - I did check this post more than usual :roll:)

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

I was a complete failure at school. A "thicko".

There were a lot of things wrong as I was growing up but my mother insisted that we should all talk properly. She drummed into us pronunciation was everything.

I left school with no qualifications that were worth a damn. Whilst in the Army I took O levels in English, Maths and German. My spelling is still not the best and I use the spell checker all the time.

In this day and age with computers, emails and word processors, English grammar and spelling is not so essential. But what does matter is language skills. If my mum had not taught me the correct use of the English language I am convinced that I would not be where I am now.

For this reason I do not let the teachers teach my children and leave it at that. The teachers are there to enhance what I am teaching my children at home. The most important of which is to use the English language properly. My daughter knew her ABC well before she started school. She could not only write her name but she could write all our names. I used to teach her the ABC at bath time. She reads every day at home and we give her computer lessons. She writes a lot. But the point is, to her it's playing with Dad because I make it fun. I think that's the key to learning. People want to learn more if they are having fun.

My biggest battle is the influence that my neighbours children are having on my kids. They do not speak proper English. They speak what I call "lazy English". Not pronouncing the T's at the end of words. Wha.... instead of what. And all the rest of the lazy English that seems to be spoken more and more. I find myself correcting the neighbours kids all the time. I do not see why my kids chances in the future should suffer because their parents don't care.

I guess what I have tried to say but in a long drawn out way, is that spelling and grammar is no longer important. But speaking properly is. How often is someone asked to write something at a job interview? But you have to talk.

Does this make sense to anyone :?:


And yes I did use the spell checker again. :lol:

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

:thumbsup: Couldn't agree more. Education should start at home. If only more parents were willing to spare their own time! As fore spell-chequer, i often sea so many mistakes dew too using the correct spelling four different words.

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

I disagree. Spelling and grammar are important, at least to the degree of clarity. To use your analogy above, you may not be required to take a written test at an interview but you most certainly will have had to make a written application to get the interview in the first place.

In the case of my job, one of the key requirements is 'first class written and oral communicator'. This is because my job involves customer support where I need to convey complex technical information clearly and concisely to customers. For a job like mine, grammar is most important.

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

Hmm your right there. But you knew that already. :lol:

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

Yes, I'm not saying that it is no longer important at all. Just not AS important. If I thought it were not important then I would not spend my time teaching my kids how to spell read and write.

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

Well between us we have neatly demonstrated the need for clear written communication skills. From your last post it seems to be that you meant to say that written communication is not as important as verbal communication.

What you actually said was grammar is no longer important, but you really meant it is no longer AS important.

I'm not having a pop at you BigApe, just using the two points to demonstrate the need to have good writing skills. Grammar and spelling are a very large part of that. In fact I think you have made the point that parents have a huge role to play in their children's education very well.

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

Stop picking on me. :sad:

I told you I was a "thicko" :mad:


:wink:

Yes indeed should have proof read my thread before posting it. :lol:

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

I'm not even going to try to argue, I have slight dislexia and no grasp of languages... as for the use of their, there, and they're or anything else god knows. I have enough trouble with comas.

And don't try to explain, I'll have a blink and it will be gone again.

PS. Double E in my English GCSE and a U in French.

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

What about apostrophe use? ;)

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

Who?

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

That's what watching Soaps does to you!

:D :D :D :D :D

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

Ooooh, can you two move over I need some room on this particular soapbox too please.

Being an 'individual of Dyslexic enjoyment' (hey, it can be entertaining at times so I wouldn't say I'm a 'sufferer'), who managed to hold down a job as a proof reader for a pharmaceutical company, I detest seeing it used as an excuse.
You just need to make the effort to take the time to find the right methods/tools/techniques...
... or just rely on sheer bloodymindedness. Hey, worked for me.;)

One of the reasons I learned to pretty much touch-type as then my fingers 'generally' know what their doing when connected to my brain rather than letting my eyes screw it up.

Text-speak when you have a full keyboard at your disposal is just plain lazy. Which as you are meant to be trying to communicate to other people makes is also somewhat rude in my book.

It does make me sad though when people don't think very much of themselves. Take those poor individuals who feel they don't even rate the capitalisation of 'I', perhaps they just need a hug or something wet like that.;)

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

Oooh, please let that be intentionally ironic ;)

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

have just got an interview for a senior position with a train company. Applied on the website and it even had a spell checker on there to assist.

Saying that as an ex grammer school boy my spelling isnt normally too bad its the typing that lets me down.

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

Sorry, I wasn't dismissing dyslexia, just saying there are a lot of people who can claim to have it out of sheer laziness (and believe it themselves). However I also believe that people have different strengths and weaknesses; some are good with numbers, some abysmal:- the same applies to words. Your attitude of not letting dyslexia hold you back in any way is fantastic (I really hope that didn't come across in any way as patronising, I mean it :)), and testament to the fact that your condition does exist. However when people claim dyslexia yet make no effort to learn beyond diagnosis I find is often just an excuse not to use their head at all. My ex used to complain about how she was so so bad at numbers, and made no effort to learn. A week after working in a cafe and her mental arithmetic was quicker than mine (training as an engineer :p). It's a similar scenario to ADHD, that the over-diagnosis of children has caused the credibility of the condition to dwindle. Why blame yourself for being a bad parent when ADHD can be blamed and a drug can be used? Yet parents out there WILL be suffering under the burden of having a child with the condition but the public sympathy is being constantly diluted.
I feel for anyone who suffers directly of indirectly for either of these conditions, and I hope they understand my attack is on the 'impostors' making their life harder, not challenging the condition itself :)

On the other hand- I write a lot of rubbish :)

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

As long as it makes sense it's ok! :D

Not many people can write proper anyway!! :D

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

I was fortunate enough to pass the 11+ and win a scholarship to an extremely good Private school, but even before I started there I had learned to spell and use grammar correctly at my previous school. In my day, that was considered very important.

The difference today is marked. My younger son also passed the 11+ and attended the local Grammar school, my other two children didn't. The work he was expected to do and the expectation that he would use correct spellings and grammar was in complete contrast to the attitude that as long as they did some work then the rest didn't matter that was prevalant at the two State schools. I was the one who checked their work for proper spelling and grammar and pointed out their mistakes, the teachers certainly never did.

I also used to pull them up on lazy talking and incorrect use of words. The one that used to drive me absolutely wild was the habit they picked up of saying 'He goes, she goes' instead of 'He said, she said', as in 'And then he goes,'No, I didn't'. AAAARGH!!!! I hasten to add that none of them say that anymore:D

As for text speak.................I really hate it. I don't even use text speak in a text!:D

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

So whats wet and like a hug - sounds interesting..........

On the 1st point, well thats why I prefer to call someone than text on my mobile - takes ages to type real words on a phone but I refuse to use text-speak abbreviations.

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

I must be a bit anal as I actually use full stops, commas and the like when I text people, I must get a life ;)

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

I is cant right propa any whey. I is 35 init

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

i dnt agree wiv tlkin in txt tlk cos it makes evrythin hard to read innit

Ok, thats a poor attempt. But I do like it if people write properly; the spellings dont all have to be correct, and the mis-typed letter here and there is ok, because its not hard to hit the y instead of the t key! Well, not for me anyway. But I like the posts to be legible; you can always tell a new young person on the forums, because they leave posts in the same way they leave their freinds a message on myspace!

Spelling and grammar is important, but as long as its almost all correct I dont mind a few mistakes here and there; after all, Im far from perfect.

Matt

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

The importance of the correct use of English grammar, punctuation and spelling is dependant upon the target audience.

My youngest son has dyslexia. For him, it is more important that he communicates. For many years, he was criticised by his teachers for his poor reading, writing and spelling. Not until he was given a statement of special educational needs was anyone prepared to make an allowance for him.

My eldest is reasonably bright and working on a career in law. For her, the nuances of language, implications of incorrect punctuation etc. Could result in very expensive claims.

In my own defence. Where I make spelling mistakes it is generally because I am not a proficient typist and look at the keyboard, rather than screen. This generally results in spelling mistakes, where the correct letters are there, just in the wrong order.

So, I voted yes, accurate spelling and grammar are important. However, if somebody can please tell me where to find a spell checker on the reply form. I would appreciate it.

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

I do too :smt045 I must also get a life in that case :oops:

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

Me 2

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

So do I. Not only that, I text my brother in Welsh, in order to practise. (Welsh not texting!). So who needs to get a life? :oops:

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

Does predictive input work in Welsh? :rolleyes:

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

Wot 'e sed.

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

Or as Mr Churchill once said, "This is something, up with which I will not put" :grin:

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

Yoda? ;)

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

I think it has trouble with the amount of 'LL's.
As well as spelling golff with 2 f's.;)

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

I taught it where I live....

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

Get Firefox, you can get a spell checker installed then :)
+1 for the real-word-texters :)

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

I don't like seeing text speak on a forum post.

If they can't be bothered to write it properly then I can't be bothered to read it.

If they're asking for help then they're unlikely to get it (from me).

If they're suggesting a rideout - I'll avoid them and or the ride.

All this and I'm only (counts from '79 quickly) 27 years old.

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

I must admit that my spelling, punctuation etc, is bloody terrible.

I was crap and lazy at school in my younger years, what you would describe as a real pain in the ****.

Unfortunately that has no doubt had influence in my ****ness now, somehow I made it through Uni using spellcheckers etc.

So I apologise in advance, I do try.

(No doubt this post is indeed full of crap spelling etc and I would really hope that people would not judge me or avoid a ride out purely because of it, as its not like I’m an uneducated idiot, I managed to get a 1st class honours degree at uni and have a good job)

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

I agree with graeme; just because you can't write very well, or read as good as perhaps others can do, dosn't make you "thick". A freind of mine is heavily dyslexic, but she is well on her way to an excellent degree in psychology - a course which involves a mountain of reading and writing!

And my dad has very poor grammar and spelling, yet he's one of the cleverest people I know.

I always write text messages in normal text unless its with someone I'm certain isnt dyslexic and wont find shortend words hard to read. Same reason I try my best on here to get the correct spelling and grammar, to make sure that no-one is left out

If anyone takes notice...

Matt

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

I feel honoured. :)

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

:-) Still haven't finalised my arrangements yet, though I see I'm going to be there for 9:45-10:00 ... ouch! ;-)

Re: Spelling, Grammar and the like.
 

Yea, that's Luckypants getting ahead of himself.

I PM'd him yesterday to arrange when I'm going to meet him at Ruthin (9:30 btw). I also said I might be picking you up along the way if you're staying on the A5. He's obviously taken that as gospel.

Don't worry about it, just get in touch when you know & we'll sort something out.

Apologies about the derail :oops: