NationStates Jolt Archive


Please Learn to Spell...The UN Says that You Must

States of Stephenson
17-12-2003, 02:41
His Royal Highness Bradley I would like to remind all nations that submit resolutions to the UN must spell and word them correctly. I was glancing through the pages of resolutions and I noticed one that wanted to change the UN structure in real life. Despite the fact that this game can not influence the real United Nations, this person spelled words incorrectly and used very poor grammer. (The resolution also slammed the US and then asked Americans to be objective...interesting, but beside the point.)

I am not sure how often this happens, but it is not that hard to run something through spell check. Please check your posts and UN resolutions for error before posting them. The States of Stephenson would like the world to follow the rules they pass. (Resolution 245A Proper Grammar) Please check your posts before posting. Thank you.

The States of Stephenson
Oppressed Possums
17-12-2003, 02:44
Resolution 245A does not contain the funding to learn people to spell or enforce "proper grammar"
17-12-2003, 02:55
Res. 245A's aims were very honourable (it's a lot easier to know what on earth you're voting for or against when it's in English rather than internet argot), but it was in itself a game mechanics resolution and as such in unenforcable.
17-12-2003, 03:05
as such in unenforcable

Oh I'm making a list....checking it twice. :D
Laurajean
17-12-2003, 03:06
People are only human. Spelling mistakes happen. If someone doesn't know how to spell a word, should they be condemned for it? I comprehend what you are saying with some of the internet slang. If the people who made this program wanted perfect spelling then they would have put a spell check on it. It is a little unreasonable to ask people to look up every word that they don't know how to spell.
Oppressed Possums
17-12-2003, 03:06
It also assumes the whole world (including EVERY nation) speaks English and English is "standard".
17-12-2003, 03:15
Good points from Oppressed Possums and Nazi Fox. I believe the complaining was about wrongly spelled UN proposals though
I have only been here a little while. Why don't they just put a big sticky at the top suggesting that people learn to spell? Oh they got one?
LOL!
Then there is the whole issue of typing also, I have to check all my stuff twice cause I am a terrible typist...
In any case, obviously there are many pedantic English spelling teachers here. Go get those crummy spellers and typists!
Laurajean
Kov
17-12-2003, 03:22
There is spelling, and there is... well... let me give examples:

9 Year old ramble format:

this one time i talked to this guy andhe went to the store and got me a bunch of stuff that was realy coll but i didnt like it so i took it back and then the world exploded and so i am stuck here in starbucks with no money (period)

Note: The 9 Year old ramble format can also be seen with no spaces, or gramatical wholeness what-so-ever.

10 Year old ramble format:

you stupid **** ** *** *** i told you *** *** that **** *** **** no way **** you **** stupid **** (3 more sentances)

There are more, but I do not want to give those typeing secrets out to other people.

As for the human format, take what I am writeing. It is understandable, semi clear, but has spelling errors.
Oppressed Possums
17-12-2003, 03:31
Personally, I'd like to see a proposal sort of saying why I should care instead of saying agree or else.

The problem with more of the proposals and the whole process is there is no middle ground.

One example is "medicinal marijuana." The closest classification is "recreational drugs." Medicines are not supposed to be recreational.
17-12-2003, 06:49
Teh nayshon uv Londana siports tihs purpozul.
17-12-2003, 14:08
I would like to suggest that any proposal to the UN where the words 'your' / 'you're' / 'there' / 'their' / 'they're' are misused be voted against on principle.

As in: 'I don't like your proposal so your an idiot'

(If you can't spot what's wrong with that sentence please don't post anything on the net again. Anywhere. Ever.)

Just to annoy the Yanks, no American spelling either. Colour is a six letter word.
17-12-2003, 16:55
17-12-2003, 17:00
I would like to suggest that any proposal to the UN where the words 'your' / 'you're' / 'there' / 'their' / 'they're' are misused be voted against on principle.

As in: 'I don't like your proposal so your an idiot'

(If you can't spot what's wrong with that sentence please don't post anything on the net again. Anywhere. Ever.)

Just to annoy the Yanks, no American spelling either. Colour is a six letter word.

I often vote against proposals that I otherwise agree with because the language is idiotic or the spelling is horrible. It shows a lack of thought on the part of those making the proposals--an unforgivable offense in Andinostan.

Further, as an American, I will support you're (wit!) proposal on English, with the following amendment:

"All proposals before the UN shall be written in the third person, with no references to the second person. Further, all proposals will be written using the style guide used by the publication known as 'The Economist.'"

This should get us in line with the programme. But, you will have to excuse us if we fail at the task for the first few years. And, we reserve the right to call them fries.
Xianoshi
17-12-2003, 17:03
Despite the fact that this game can not influence the real United Nations, this person spelled words incorrectly and used very poor grammer.

Perhaps the most honorable delegate from the States of Stephenson should use a spellcheck himself.

Grammer is not a valid word. It is Kelsey's last name, but I believe the spelling the most honorable representative was intending was Grammar.
17-12-2003, 18:46
In the interests of transatlantic relations The Westcountry is happy to accept the Americanism 'Fries'.

Chips are different anyway, they're proper fat stodgy things not those wafer thin sticks you get with a Big Mac. And you eat them with gravy.

Have we banned Mac D's in the UN yet? If not it has to be coming.
17-12-2003, 18:57
Grammar Nazis would like to humbly point out that the first sentence of Stephenson's first post is incomprehensible. Depending on how you view the error, could you please tell us either whom you are reminding or who must check their spelling and grammar?
States of Stephenson
17-12-2003, 21:36
This is the type of debate that the States of Stephenson was trying to stimulate. While Americans do have an interesting view on the English language, we were talking about the obvious spelling errors. The use of "u" as opposed to the normal word "you" should not happen in UN proposals. While spell check is a feature common on most computers, I myself do not use it all the time, but please, let us cut back on the most blatent abuses.

Besides, these posts and proposals need to be legible for all to read.

His Royal Highness Bradley I of the States of Stephenson
Xianoshi
17-12-2003, 23:43
Methinks Royal Highness Bradley be a hypocrite, but the Allied States of Xianoshi respect him and his honorable nation nonetheless.
18-12-2003, 03:47
I would like to suggest that any proposal to the UN where the words 'your' / 'you're' / 'there' / 'their' / 'they're' are misused be voted against on principle.

As in: 'I don't like your proposal so your an idiot'

(If you can't spot what's wrong with that sentence please don't post anything on the net again. Anywhere. Ever.)

Just to annoy the Yanks, no American spelling either. Colour is a six letter word.

While I agree with the mandatory proof-reading idea, I could see letting people get away with awkward words that are usually mispronounced anyway. For example, I don't give a rat's a** if you type "its" when you mean "it's", or common mistakes like that.

I agree heartily with the first half of your post, but if you really want to piss off Americans, putting a "u" in color won't do it. If getting us mad is that important to you, I recommend serving us warm beer. We've gone to war over less. The Revolution was really all about tea. :lol: