Am I the only one? Your or You're!

theMusicMan said:
Me too, and there's loads of incorrect spellings seen so often on forums that are not right, but at the end of the day... they're just spelling mistakes, that's all, and they are not going to hurt anyone, and... there's nowt that you can really do about it to be honest.

There's many different reasons for it; some people are simply poor spellers, some people are down right lazy, some unfortunately have dyslexia, some are young and are yet to learn, some are older and should know better, some have poor sight... but the important thing to remember is that each will have their own reasons for writing in the style and using the spelling they choose to post in.

OK, it frustrates you when you see it - and sure, it frustrates me too - but it's good to have variety and we are all different, and it's good to have tolerance and understanding.


:)
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:agree:
 
Jim.R said:
A lot of peoples posts (certainly the daytime people) are typed quickly while doing their day job. I know my evening posts are better, purely because the Mac spell checks everything for me, but I'm stuck with windows at work, and don't have time to copy/paste everything into word to spell check it before posting.
Clumsy fingers (or tryping errors, as my old boss used to call them) are probably as much to blame as a lack of spelling ability!
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very true
 
On forums I'm used to it, though at times I do find it frustrating, possibly due to the fact that as a kid my spelling was atrocious and my grammar not much better (it took me 4 attempts to get my English language o-level, mainly due to poor spelling !!). In some respects I get more annoyed by the use of 'Americanisations' partly because people are too used to spell checkers, many of which do not use Queen's English for either grammar or spelling.

Now in the real world I really do get frustrated by the poor language capabilities of people. At present and in previous roles I have had to write, review and read technical documentation and have rejected far too many documents due to poor English. Unfortunately the type of people who use the wrong words here also tend to be the ones who use the wrong forms in real world situations.

As to dyslexia. There are a number of people on this forum who are dyslexic, but I seem to remember every one of them has said that they are working hard to improve their abilities (and guessing by the possible ages all were treated as being thick while at school, which would not have helped them at a crucial learning age). Now if these people are willing to put the effort in, then why can't the majority who do not have any issues ?
 
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It doesnt bother me. Im guilty of it but its only a forum and as long as people understand what im trying to say im not bothered. Im writing a post on a forum, not a letter for a job application. :)
 
Andyvalver said:
It doesnt bother me. Im guilty of it but its only a forum and as long as people understand what im trying to say im not bothered. Im writing a post on a forum, not a letter for a job application. :)
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The problem is people do make mistakes in important documents such as job applications, how long does it take to have a quick scan of what you have just typed to make sure everything is ok?
 
Sniffing1987 said:
The problem is people do make mistakes in important documents such as job applications, how long does it take to have a quick scan of what you have just typed to make sure everything is ok?
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Yes i know. But my point was that a forum is not an important document, its a forum.
 
People generally make the same spelling and grammatical mistakes regardless of what they are writing on.

You don't intentionally write properly on a form or job application but decide to spell badly just because it's a forum.

Most people who use the wrong spelling of a word do so because they think it's correct.

If they think it's correct when written on a forum thread, it is likely that they will still think it's correct on an 'important' form.


Steve.
 
I think im the other way to you. I spell stuff wrong if i make a typo and if im not sure of the spelling then google is my friend lol
 
Andyvalver said:
Yes i know. But my point was that a forum is not an important document, its a forum.
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As Steve said people don't distinguish between an important document and a forum post, if you thrive to better yourself then eventually your spelling will get better. I'm not a natural at spelling or forming sentances and paragraphs and I confess some of the things I write aren't the easiest to read, infact it took me 3 attempts to get a C in GCSE English! However that doesn't stop me from reading and re-reading the vast majority of things I write to try to make sure I've got it right.
 
Hacker said:
Spelling and grammar doesn't bother me too much but what does tick me off (apart from text speak :D) is when people type using 'local' dialects and accents in forums or e-mail.

:runaway:
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Way aye - d'ye smirk tabs, aw hinny pet?
Wha ya wearin' a jacket fur? - it's arnly snurrr...
 
Lotte Simons said:
it annoys me too!
I don't understand what's difficult about distinguishing the difference!!! and using the right one!
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Using more than one exclamation mark in a row. That one really chaps my crack. :P

Also, people who make an ellipsis with as many dots as they like.

KIPAX said:
Its called being a big world and everyone being different...
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So you're saying that being unable to spell is some kind of expression of individuality that should be embraced? I'm by no means a spelling and grammar nazi, but that doesn't mean being able to place an apostrophe correctly isn't important (I'm going to try to not get started on apostrophes, but I do wonder how people who say they are confusing manage to tie their shoelaces without falling down).

People argue that "it doesn't matter, it's only a forum, it's just the internet, it's not a job application or an important document". So what? Spelling and grammar should be there anyway, it should be second nature, not something you have to think about, at least not a great deal. If it is something you have to think about, then it's probably because you're out of practice, in part because you cherry-pick occasions where grammar and spelling matter - so it's a self perpetuating cycle.

Not too much of a problem now, when it's the odd word, the occasional grammatical construct - language should evolve in line with the communication tools at our disposal. SMS (and now Twitter) naturally encourage brevity, and so new contractions will inevitably emerge. I don't think the evolution of language and people not bothering to use words correctly should be confused.

Anyway, I digress. Personally I think everyone should try a bit harder, then we won't end up like the movie "Idiocracy", staring slack-jawed at icons on a pushbutton burger menu.
 
Hopkin Green Frog said:
So you're saying that being unable to spell is some kind of expression of individuality that should be embraced? .
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wow arnt you the one for twisting peoples words.. I never said it should be embraced.. I never said it was good not be be able to spell..so lets not put words in other peoples mouths eh?

I simply point out that we are all different and some are better at some things than others.. we cant all ahve exactly the same abilities at everything..

Some of us understand thats how the world is.. :)

Some obviously don't
 
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KIPAX said:
thats a condescending and quite insulting attitude.. you presume someone who has problems spelling just didnt try hard enough ?
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Not at all, but I don't reckon there's anyone who can't improve by putting in some extra effort. If I was aware I had problems spelling, I'd be far more likely to use a spell checker, for a start - I know that doesn't catch correct words used incorrectly but it's better than nothing.

The point being there are tools available that can help. There are things you can do to become better at something you aren't good at, and if that something is as much of a core life skill as writing words correctly, you should probably make that effort.
 
KIPAX said:
wow arnt you the one for twisting peoples words.. I never said it should be embraced.. I never said it was good not be be able to spell..so lets not put words in other peoples mouths eh?

I simply point out that we are all different and some are better at some things than others.. we cant all ahve exactly the same abilities at everything..
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So you're saying it's NOT good, but we should just accept it? Why would you accept something that's not good, when it's a problem that can be addressed?

KIPAX said:
Some of us understand thats how the world is.. :)

Some obviously don't
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"thats a condescending and quite insulting attitude..." (with the added bonus of passive/aggressive phrasing)
 
Oh, and here's some info from the National Literacy Trust:

http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/Database/stats/adultstats.html

That shows that 16% of adults between the ages of 16-65 in the UK are only literate to the level expected of an 11 year old, and to me that's horrifying. I suppose when we drop any remaining standards for what defines literacy then those figures will improve though, eh? :)
 
Now who’s being condescending, lol.

--

I think its impossible for the English language to be diluted or corrupted by changing ways and words, simply because new words that are effective and add to our ability to express can only be a good thing, those that fail to delver concisely every time will inevitably fall by the way side. ..as has always been the way I’d suggest..

One of my favourite new changes/addons is the word 'Like'

"Its new secondarily meaning is like ...cool man!"
Personally I find it a very useful new word. (if I can call it a new word, IYKWIM)

Its new meaning is being added to our English dictionary I believe.
 
Forbiddenbiker said:
One of my favourite new changes/addons is the word 'Like'.
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Totally mis-used now. People don't seem to actually do anything now, they like do it!

e.g. "It was like raining", "He was wearing like a T shirt", "I've got like a list" are examples I have heard.

It is also used instead of said. e.g "he said......" becomes "he was like ...."

Yesterday I overheard a conversation a few teenage girls were having. Every third or fourth word was like (or like like!).


Steve.
 
I can live with bad grammar but people who use text speak really gets my goat.

Thats not bad spelling just plain laziness so most times I don't even begin to read the post.

The day after google invents 'Chav to English' translator is the day I start attempting to read 'txt spk'. ;)
 
razor777 said:
I can live with bad grammar but people who use text speak really gets my goat.

Thats not bad spelling just plain laziness so most times I don't even begin to read the post.

The day after google invents 'Chav to English' translator is the day I start attempting to read 'txt spk'. ;)
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See to me, that's all backwards - txt spk is an adaptation to a medium with a limited amount of characters that can be transmitted, whereas bad grammar and spelling on a medium without limitations, and also a medium that can offer easy basic spellchecking... that's plain laziness.
 
I can live with some spelling and grammar mistakes as long as I can see an effort has been made to get things right. I can live with text (txt) speak in text messages. I can't be doing with people putting no effort in to a post and expecting people to try and understand what is being said before replying.
 
razor777 said:
I can live with bad grammar but people who use text speak really gets my goat.

Thats not bad spelling just plain laziness so most times I don't even begin to read the post.

The day after google invents 'Chav to English' translator is the day I start attempting to read 'txt spk'. ;)
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Hopkin Green Frog said:
See to me, that's all backwards - txt spk is an adaptation to a medium with a limited amount of characters that can be transmitted, whereas bad grammar and spelling on a medium without limitations, and also a medium that can offer easy basic spellchecking... that's plain laziness.
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Sorry, have to agree with Razor here.
In the days when texting was first around, and you had 160 characters to use as there wasnt the ability to send multiple texts as a single message, then yes, I understand using abbreviations that were purely invented for that fact. However, people using "txt speak" on a forum like this, or on facebook or something else are pure lazy or mentally retarded!

There was the story going around that a girl wrote her whole English GCSE exam in text speak and got a C grade because the content was A grade standards, but the spelling was wrong.....wrong?!? it was words that that make little sense. I would have failed the stupid cow for being such an idiot

Back on to spelling and grammer, mine is a crock of ****! My Mrs has really helped me improve mine and I really thank her for that. However, i wouldn't like to come on here and have all my faults picked apart by a public forum.

I'm bored of typing now
 
Interesting. A friend of mine, who works with people with dyslexia, effectively told me off for rejecting cvs with lots of errors on - she feels that discrimination against people who cannot spell is basically wrong - ie using this as a basis for, say, intelligence, is very flawed.

L
 
Headless Lois said:
A friend of mine, who works with people with dyslexia, effectively told me off for rejecting cvs with lots of errors on - she feels that discrimination against people who cannot spell is basically wrong - ie using this as a basis for, say, intelligence, is very flawed.
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I wouldn't say lots of spelling mistakes is a basis for gauging intelligence is true but it does show a massive lack of effort, especially on a CV. It doesn't take much to run it through a spell checker and get a friend who's good with grammar to give it the once over. It's not a forum post or a text message - it's a CV being used to apply for employment.

I have friends who have dyslexia and I know that people who suffer from it have perfectly good grounds for spelling errors. However, expecting you to let every CV with spelling and grammar mistakes through on the grounds that the author might be dyslexic isn't fair.

Wouldn't a person suffering from dyslexia know that they may have made spelling errors and get their CV checked over before passing it on to a recuiter?

George.
 
Headless Lois said:
Interesting. A friend of mine, who works with people with dyslexia, effectively told me off for rejecting cvs with lots of errors on - she feels that discrimination against people who cannot spell is basically wrong - ie using this as a basis for, say, intelligence, is very flawed.

L
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Give it 20 years and we'll have anti discrimination laws for people who can't add up or basically have failed their qualifications. I always thought it was best man/woman for the job but this society seems to promote weakness as a strength. :bonk:
 
MJ Stebbings said:
Sorry, have to agree with Razor here.
In the days when texting was first around, and you had 160 characters to use as there wasnt the ability to send multiple texts as a single message, then yes, I understand using abbreviations that were purely invented for that fact. However, people using "txt speak" on a forum like this, or on facebook or something else are pure lazy or mentally retarded!

There was the story going around that a girl wrote her whole English GCSE exam in text speak and got a C grade because the content was A grade standards, but the spelling was wrong.....wrong?!? it was words that that make little sense. I would have failed the stupid cow for being such an idiot

Back on to spelling and grammer, mine is a crock of ****! My Mrs has really helped me improve mine and I really thank her for that. However, i wouldn't like to come on here and have all my faults picked apart by a public forum.

I'm bored of typing now
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Sorry, to clarify, I meant text speak in the context of texts, Not in general use!
 
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