NationStates Jolt Archive

Just recently I've been checking out the UN proposals list to see if any would be likely to become a resolution. I came across the following proposal on the first page.

The Learn To Spell Act
A resolution to restrict civil freedoms in the interest of moral decency.


Category: Moral Decency Strength: Strong Proposed by: Korkura
Description: Given that standards of grammar, punctuation and spelling appear to be steadily declining in all countries of the world, it surely behoves the UN to take some form of preventative action.

Not only are such falling standards detrimental to the quality of communication amongst both individuals and larger entities - and thereby to trade amongst these bodies, and to the quality of the world's literature - but, moreover, we should simply not stand idle, whilst the basic structure of our world's languages crumble away.

Furthermore, children given a proper grounding in the fundamental principles of written communication are not, perhaps counterintuitively, being subjected to unnecessarily arduous exercises, which would tax them unduly: rather, it has been conclusively shown that school pupils who are given a thorough grasp of the principal tenets of language find that they are exponentially more capable of learning other languages, and that, significantly, at the age at which they are being taught, such an education is not in the least more burdensome.

It is proposed, therefore, that a comprehensive programme of studies in grammar, punctuation and spelling be implemented in schools worldwide, and that, following a period of ten year's grace, strict measures be introduced to combat those who fail to meet the required standards in these areas. These measures would range from lifelong incarceration for a comma-splice to a mere warning-shot in the face for a split infinitive.

Approvals: 117 (Korkura, America the American, The Nazi-party, Gayorstraightia, Taraguy, The Gaza Strip, Hikokou, Nireva, Veegeeville, Coolet, New Omnivaro, UN Delegate of APA, Tuesday Heights, Guardom, Sarria, Dolphinarium, Conceptualists, Kalin, Theturkish, Demany, Ellymacp, Sausage-Recta, Girl Scout Cookies, Biotopia, Castorium, Boohbahstahn, Deigo, Neologica, Arkaedian Aboriginals, Western Columbia, Kiwipeso, Odphi, Thermidore, Asmadonia, Hidden Chewbacca City, Ex-soviet nations, Nikovakia, Drunken Butterfly, Lubbadub, Many Fiefdoms, Karnov II, Italian Lovers, The Shotgun Seat, Canadian Rednecks, Both Hands, Shnrubton, The Random Posse, Langasaurus, The Silver Eagle, Groot Gouda, Bystander, Otara, Adriennica, Moodgies, Hidden-Leaf-Village, Blackflamia, Connersonia, Manschavunism, Risktopia, Third Echelon NSA, The Dragon Peaks, Beil, Johnc, Hippertia, Eilenach, EcoVille, The Darkthrone, Jay71, Shinterboo, Talriasland, Melpomenica, Ashkalon, Braaaiiiiins, Publius Marximus, Mallah, Wedontwantaname, Embob, LinceCakes, Placity, APChem, Dalmond, Agehachou, Vorkesh, Northern Coast shores, Oakster, Dizziness, Farflorin, The Barty Party, Tonewrath, Great White Snowy Lake, The Dread Pirate Ice, The Albertas, Eastern Stars, BurntSienna, Cav, The Four Kingdoms, Nobrainia, Reanimated, Askalaria, Adejaani, Bluegrass Preps, Slabbedask, Rawrness, Skeletonata, Alberica, Sad Dejected Peoples, Nice and evil, North Western Kentucky, Feroni Troy, Sevaris, States of Stephenson, Nucular, A Semi-Banana Republic, Onetus, Gryphonium, Mindalia, Maciavely)

Status: Lacking Support (requires 19 more approvals)

Voting Ends: Mon Jul 26 2004

At first it seemed like just any proposal that I'd have to deal with, which I almost was prepared to do. However, I noticed what was being proposed in the last paragraph.

It is proposed, therefore, that a comprehensive programme of studies in grammar, punctuation and spelling be implemented in schools worldwide, and that, following a period of ten year's grace, strict measures be introduced to combat those who fail to meet the required standards in these areas. These measures would range from lifelong incarceration for a comma-splice to a mere warning-shot in the face for a split infinitive.

Current polls show that well over 99% of people 18 years of age and older, including well over 90% of those who actually know all spelling and grammatical rules, have each made at least one spelling and/or grammatical error since turning 18. It is likely that the same percentage of the population will follow the same trend. Therefore, if the "Learn to Spell Act" is passed by the general UN, 99% of all citizens in UN nations will each have to suffer anything from life in jail to a critical facial injury.

If it weren't for the fact that grammatical errors don't exist in the Endolantrean language, I'd be preparing to permanently withdraw from the UN when and if the "Learn to Spell Act" became UN law. I propose now that we try to do something about it.

...or does everyone here actually dispise spelling and grammatical errors to that extent?

This issue, no matter how popular, clearly falls into the category of "not worthy of the consideration of the United Nations." Nevermind that some languages don't use such rules of grammar, and not every UN nation loses control of its bowels if someone confuses i.e for e.g., this simply isn't worthy of international consideration. I can't think of a single war that's been started simply because someone refused to capitalize certain letters, or an economic treaty that was abandoned because of a misplaced semi-colon.

I am familiar with a few of those UN Delegates.

They typically vote no on many resolutions. Some of them usually will endorse proposals just to stimulate debate (even when they disagree with proposals), others don't like the UN.

I can tell you right now, I'll be voting against this resolution, and think it really is inappropriate for the UN, but has anybody dropped the text into a word processor? If it has typos, it would be all to funny.

I am familiar with a few of those UN Delegates.

They typically vote no on many resolutions. Some of them usually will endorse proposals just to stimulate debate (even when they disagree with proposals), others don't like the UN.

I can tell you right now, I'll be voting against this resolution, and think it really is inappropriate for the UN, but has anybody dropped the text into a word processor? If it has typos, it would be all to funny.

That would be funny, but I haven't been able to test it due to my complete lack of Microsoft Word and its Spelling and Grammar checking program.

Anyway, I appreciate that some of you have already shown your support in such short notice. Thanks.

Not only are such falling standards detrimental to the quality of communication amongst both individuals and larger entities - and thereby to trade amongst these bodies, and to the quality of the world's literature - but, moreover, we should simply not stand idle, whilst the basic structure of our world's languages crumble away.

The phrase "not only" should only be used when paired with the conjunction "but also." Here, we see only but.

It is proposed, therefore, that a comprehensive programme of studies in grammar, punctuation and spelling be implemented in schools worldwide, and that, following a period of ten year's grace, strict measures be introduced to combat those who fail to meet the required standards in these areas.

There seems to be a comma missing between "punctuation" and "spelling." Either the phrase should read "programme of studies in grammar, punctuation, and spelling," or one of the list items should be removed.

Just a cursory effort. I'm sure there's more.

Definitely amusing. We'll be going against a grammatically incorrect proposal that if became law, would enforce proper grammar. Sometimes I wonder how a proposal like that could even get approved by 6% of the UN delegates. If the proposal also stated that writing with improper spelling or grammar in it is to be considered null and void, it would become a logical paradox if it passed. However, the proposal said nothing about debunking anything without perfect spelling and grammar, but only really about punishing those who fail to use both.

Edit: Anyway, I'll probably be getting some sleep soon. It's 1:43AM here and I need to be up by 7:30AM. I'll most likely be able to check up on things here, as I will try to.

There seems to be a comma missing between "punctuation" and "spelling." Either the phrase should read "programme of studies in grammar, punctuation, and spelling," or one of the list items should be removed.


Actually, in this situation the comma is optional, as the "and " can function as a comma.

Really? Hrm. Well, damn my 10th grade English teacher.

In any case, this only adds a list to the flaws of this resolution. Were it enacted, who knows how many innocents would be put to death in Sophista because we hadn't read the most up-to-date version of the grammar handbooks? Or worse, what if notoriously bad writers sought refuge in countries that had similar governmental-grammar issues? The resolution would be subverted in no time.

Egads.

Really? Hrm. Well, damn my 10th grade English teacher.

In any case, this only adds a list to the flaws of this resolution. Were it enacted, who knows how many innocents would be put to death in Sophista because we hadn't read the most up-to-date version of the grammar handbooks? Or worse, what if notoriously bad writers sought refuge in countries that had similar governmental-grammar issues? The resolution would be subverted in no time.


More like completely ignored. Even if it fails it will be back, it made it far enough that folks think it is a funny joke now. But I'm predicting it will disappear into the ether in either case. ;)

I did however look at the spelling and grammar. They both looked fine to me, except that your 10th grade English teacher would probably tell you that the sentences were too long. Technically correct, but stylistically inappropriate for the given audience.

I could be wrong, but it doesn't bug me that much. If anything this proposal should serve as a reminder to those of us that actually submit serious proposals to run our drafts through a spell checker first. If there weren't so many early resolutions with very poor spelling and grammar, this joke wouldn't attract so much as a second thought. In other words, I'm partially faulting the "fire-and-forget" school of proposal / resolution writers. *shrug*

I figure the ever-growing number of language police on this particular forum would be enough of a reminder. I said it in my writing guide and I'll say it again: poor grammar and spelling detracts from a proposal to the point where discussion turns from the international issue and focuses on you being a moron.

On the flipside, I think that the kind of ostentatious attention to grammar rules supporte by this proposal is antithetical to the general purpose of these forums. If we give people the impression that they'll be laughed out of town for breaking a rule they may or may not know exists, we'll see fewer people willing to participate, and it'll end up being the Enn/Komokom/Teldia/Mikitivity/(insert well-known UN forum name) show, with little outside input. Granted, that might allow us to solve all the world's problems in a little under a week, but it goes contrary to the democratic nature of the organization.

So yes, grammar and spelling are good things, but not to the point suggested by this resolution. There's an enourmous differene between a proposal that has a comma splice somewhere in the middle and a proposal that makes use of AIM-speak and leetspeak.

and it'll end up being the Enn/Komokom/Teldia/Mikitivity/(insert well-known UN forum name) show

Except that Komokom would be shot in the face about ten times per post.

I have no doubt that the government of Komokom is capable of fielding a never-ending army of UN representatives. Hopefully, one would come along who could communicate at the level specified by the proposal, or else this place would get pretty messy.

Speaking as a dyslexic;

This proposal is going down!

Lady Desdemona of Merwell,
Senior UN representative,
The Black New World

Here, we see only but.
And in this " proposed " case, it is spelt with two t's ... ;)

It does have a typo. It's got "behoves" somewhere in there and it should be "behooves".
And this is just plain bias, some people would rather " be-trotters " ...

I figure the ever-growing number of language police on this particular forum would be enough of a reminder.
" And you are all to be placed under arrest. Or, as the common man would say: Ya nicked, ya dirty toe-rag, hear me ? ... "

Enn/Komokom/Teldia/Mikitivity/(The Black New World)
:D

Except that Komokom would be shot in the face about ten times per post.
Okay, we can agree to this, provided it will boost our post count. :)

I have no doubt that the government of Komokom is capable of fielding a never-ending army of UN representatives.
SHUSH ! You post our STATE SECRETS ! :mad:

" The Rep of Komokom, float like a butter-pat, sting like a frying-pan ! "

:D

*sob* Thanks TRok.

Lady Desdemona of Merwell,
Senior UN representative,
The Black New World

Eh, it's no more or less stupid than "HIPPOS ARE REALLY LARGE"...

Eh, it's no more or less stupid than "HIPPOS ARE REALLY LARGE"...

But this effects me! *pout*Personally!

Lady Desdemona of Merwell,
Senior UN representative,
The Black New World

*snickers*

I kant bee surprized that this hear praposal maid it this fur.

Anyway, I do find the entire thing rather amusing, and a good humorous break for the day.

I wonder what is next... shall we begin to hang people until they are dead for not properly citing works and plagarism?

Well tarnation! Ah cain't figer out wy dis would be a good retribution or whatv'r you boy's call it! for any body! Hell, wouldn't that meen that critter Steven King woudda been locked up and not wrote that book about evil 18 wheelers?! Damn I thought that good ol' boy had a editor? I guess that poor bastar'd be outta a jobbie job huh? Damn that movie about eveil 18 wheelers made me cry I mean I don't know what I'd do if my truck hated me. Damn..maybe i should connect with it more and ask it about it's feelins!

Ah, we'd all be in jail!

I really do hope that Kokura has created this as a long -- rather bad -- joke proposal. Because, if he/she hasn't and this is serious so far as he/she is concerned... well, he/she really needs to get out more.

I've noticed that people seem religiously obsessed with spelling and grammar on many forums, but here especially. Now, apart from the fact that I happen to be sure that this is an international forum (therefore, not everybody here speaks English primarily), there is one other pressing matter: who cares? So long as it's legible, who really cares? If I can read it, I can overlook the typos. I've probably violated half-a-dozen grammar rules in this very post (which I'm sure will be pointed out to me :p). It's not as if these forums are going to be published and sold as a book.

Now, if we were all real representatives of real countries, and this was the real United Nations, things would be different. But as it is, we're just a bunch of people on a forum. That's all. I really wish people would relax a little, instead of spontaneously combusting at the sight of a minor tyop. Some of the less accurate posts here would seem like classic literature compared to some of the places on the Internet, so think yourselves lucky...