NationStates Jolt Archive

Ok, I'm gonna bitch about the way people have been mangling the english language in here. I know my use of it isn't perfect all of the time, but at least I'm trying! What happened to using a dictionary, or learning the laws of punctuation and grammar? I can understand it when it's not the first language of the person typing. When it's somebody who allegedly speaks no language but english, though, they'd better damned well use it right. There's nothing in the world that irritates me more than this text-messaging garbage. "Plz" is not an acceptable spelling of "please", nor is "thx" an alternative for "thanks".

I just had to get this off my chest. Of course, if you're still in school, and you still can't spell, I'd suggest that you write to your congressman about the poor quality of education you are getting. It's that or put yourself in a remedial class.

Ok, I'm gonna bitch about the way people have been mangling the english language in here. I know my use of it isn't perfect all of the time, but at least I'm trying! What happened to using a dictionary, or learning the laws of punctuation and grammar? I can understand it when it's not the first language of the person typing. When it's somebody who allegedly speaks no language but english, though, they'd better damned well use it right. There's nothing in the world that irritates me more than this text-messaging garbage. "Plz" is not an acceptable spelling of "please", nor is "thx" an alternative for "thanks".

I just had to get this off my chest. Of course, if you're still in school, and you still can't spell, I'd suggest that you write to your congressman about the poor quality of education you are getting. It's that or put yourself in a remedial class.

Just thought I'd point out that the only time you used a capital letter was at the begining of sentence and the word "I," which isn't always accurate.

I'm fairly fast and loose with my spelling and grammar. And the funny part is, it's not because I don't know the proper way of speaking/typing. I just don't really care all that much. As long as the person I'm speaking with can understand what I mean to say without trouble, I'm happy.

That's how I view language, just a tool to communicate with others. Just my two cents.

I'm fairly fast and loose with my spelling and grammar. And the funny part is, it's not because I don't know the proper way of speaking/typing. I just don't really care all that much. As long as the person I'm speaking with can understand what I mean to say without trouble, I'm happy.

That's how I view language, just a tool to communicate with others. Just my two cents.
I don't like cliches that much.

Just thought I'd point out that the only time you used a capital letter was at the begining of sentence and the word "I," which isn't always accurate.

I said in my original post that my use of the language isn't always perfect. I thought I'd covered that. I'm complaining about the people who aren't even trying, and butcher the language without any regard at all for the rules which govern it.

I take pride that both my grammar and spelling are usually above standard, and I have steadfastly refused to use phrases like brb, afaik (though lately this has been seeping into my posts) but spelling you u annoys me to no end. But I only critique my own spelling and grammar, you can't expect everyone else to live up to your standard, especially with so many foreign speakers.

And yes, I know shield is spelled incorrectly in my name, it's intentional.

I don't like cliches that much.

Which cliché are you referring to, pardon my asking? I didn't intentionally slip any in to my post, and after a quick rereading I didn't pick up on it.

I said in my original post that my use of the language isn't always perfect. I thought I'd covered that. I'm complaining about the people who aren't even trying, and butcher the language without any regard at all for the rules which govern it.
It just seems like for as much respect as you apparantly have for this language, you'd at least give it some props by capitalizing it properly.

Which cliché are you referring to, pardon my asking? I didn't intentionally slip any in to my post, and after a quick rereading I didn't pick up on it.
"Just my two cents"

It just seems like for as much respect as you apparantly have for this language, you'd at least give it some props by capitalizing it properly.

What exactly did I fail to capitalize to your satisfaction?

It's okay, I read fluent typo ;)

Ah, yes... damn. I do use that quite a lot. At some point it just went from something I'd say on occasion, to a regular part of my speech. Now it's second nature and I don't even realize I'm using it half the time. o.o;

It's okay, I read fluent typo ;)
:D

I read fluent typo too, but it gets on my nerves. Another thing that bugs me is the idea that "your" and "you're" or "it's" and "its" are interchangeable. I think people should check with Mr. Webster if they aren't sure. When they don't, they really end up sounding like they're 8 years old, in my opinion. It makes them look less intelligent than they very well may be. It's just sloppy.

What exactly did I fail to capitalize to your satisfaction?
"english" which you used at least twice should be "English"

I read fluent typo too, but it gets on my nerves. Another thing that bugs me is the idea that "your" and "you're" or "it's" and "its" are interchangeable. I think people should check with Mr. Webster if they aren't sure. When they don't, they really end up sounding like they're 8 years old, in my opinion. It makes them look less intelligent than they very well may be. It's just sloppy.
Who knows...maybe I am 8...

Funny how someone would lecture over the english language yet at the same time doing so without not knowing all that much about it.

"English", depending on how it is used, may be capitalized or not. If you're referring to an "Englishman", then yes, it's capitalized. "England" is capitalized, as is a title like "English" Channel. If you're just referring to the language, though, there is no need to capitalize.

Is that a good enough explanation for you?

"English", depending on how it is used, may be capitalized or not. If you're referring to an "Englishman", then yes, it's capitalized. "England" is capitalized, as is a title like "English" Channel. If you're just referring to the language, though, there is no need to capitalize.

Is that a good enough explanation for you?
Where did that come from? Show me a source.

Where did that come from? Show me a source.

A simple "no" would have sufficed. I seem to remember that as being the rule from grammar school.

I'm looking it up as we speak. In the meantime, feel free to source anything saying otherwise.

Ok, here we are. Rule 1 is the one you were asking about.

http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Capitalization

A simple "no" would have sufficed. I seem to remember that as being the rule from grammar school.

I'm looking it up as we speak. In the meantime, feel free to source anything saying otherwise.
Well, I feel it's on you to prove your side. It's derived from the name of a country, which is why it is capitalised. I also don't feel the urge to find any source because I don't think you can find one which will agree with what you've said, but in the event that you do, I will find one that disagrees with your source so we can both say we're right. Anyway, the only word I know of that has weird rules like that for capitalisation is "earth," which, when used in a sentence, paragraph, paper, etc, by itself is uncapitalised, but if used when mentioning other planets, it must be capitalised. (And I do believe that is an acceptable spelling of capitalise.)

Ok, here we are. Rule 1 is the one you were asking about.

http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Capitalization
Uhm, I don't see it saying anything about not capitalising languages.

Well, I feel it's on you to prove your side. It's derived from the name of a country, which is why it is capitalised. I also don't feel the urge to find any source because I don't think you can find one which will agree with what you've said, but in the event that you do, I will find one that disagrees with your source so we can both say we're right. Anyway, the only word I know of that has weird rules like that for capitalisation is "earth," which, when used in a sentence, paragraph, paper, etc, by itself is uncapitalised, but if used when mentioning other planets, it must be capitalised. (And I do believe that is an acceptable spelling of capitalise.)

Ok, my source is above.

As for the english spelling vs. the american one, I feel that it is perfectly acceptable either way. Knock yourself out. I sometimes mix the spelling rules up between the two, having lived in both countries.

A simple "no" would have sufficed. I seem to remember that as being the rule from grammar school.

I'm looking it up as we speak. In the meantime, feel free to source anything saying otherwise.

Actually, here is a test you can try. Type in a sentence "english" in a spellcheck and I promise you it will show up as spelling incorrect and give you "English" as the proper spelling.

How on Earth does it matter if people can understand you?I mean,English is not like some dead langauge,it is evolving,new words are being coined,spellings are changing continuously,how can you be so stuck up about it?

Ok, my source is above.

As for the english spelling vs. the american one, I feel that it is perfectly acceptable either way. Knock yourself out. I sometimes mix the spelling rules up between the two, having lived in both countries.
I looked in your source and don't see where it says that languages don't need to be capitalised, and either way, you used neither "english" or "american" as languages (American isn't a language...) in this post and capitalised neither...

What you're saying makes sense, Sheilanagig--the bit about being confused between English and American usage, that is. I taught college level English composition for four years, and I can tell you that in American usage, language names are capitalized as a standard practice.

Crap. I misread "majuscules" as "miniscules". I stand corrected. Still, I don't think it's really such an awful transgression compared to some of what gets posted.

For example, American Soldiers have big enuff Breasts...rite?

Or maybe even,
Maybe the American TaxPayers should offer them Silicone Implans or something...No?

Hell, the whole thread and most of the other threads here are riddled with garbage like that.

How on Earth does it matter if people can understand you?I mean,English is not like some dead langauge,it is evolving,new words are being coined,spellings are changing continuously,how can you be so stuck up about it?
This is an example of an improper capitalisation of the word "earth."

And to respond to the post...it's 1:20 AM. I'm tired; what do you want me to talk about? Should I start another religion thread? Or how about a Bush/Kerry thread?

I looked in your source and don't see where it says that languages don't need to be capitalised, and either way, you used neither "english" or "american" as languages (American isn't a language...) in this post and capitalised neither...

Au contraire, mon frere. American is distinct from English. If you don't believe it, visit the UK sometime, and see if they don't accuse you of speaking "American". (There, happy now?)

Au contraire, mon frere. American is distinct from English. If you don't believe it, visit the UK sometime, and see if they don't accuse you of speaking "American". (There, happy now?)
Well, no matter what people call it, I still think that it is merely an adjective. Americans speak American English, and I wouldn't take it as an accusation so much as a compliment.

I don't care how you'd take it. It would be delivered and meant as an accusation. In other words, they'd be accusing you of speaking poor English. Still, for the most part, yes, you could ignore it. Most of them can't speak the language very well either.

I'm not trying to set myself up as the acme of refinement in my language skills. I'm just trying to point out that some of what makes it into the forum here doesn't qualify as English by anyone's standards.

I don't care how you'd take it. It would be delivered and meant as an accusation. In other words, they'd be accusing you of speaking poor English. Still, for the most part, yes, you could ignore it. Most of them can't speak the language very well either.

I'm not trying to set myself up as the acme of refinement in my language skills. I'm just trying to point out that some of what makes it into the forum here doesn't qualify as English by anyone's standards.
If by poor English they mean weird accent and different vocabulary then I'm guilty as charged, but if by poor English they mean a poor understanding of the proper rules of grammar then they don't know what they're talking about. Aside from the spellings, vocabulary, and accent, I'm pretty sure the language is identical.

This is an international website, not everyone's first language is English...

They're not quite identical. Trust me on this one, there's a distinct difference. It can get you in a lot of trouble. You could get a good kicking for saying something perfectly innocent in American. There are a lot of words which are spelled and pronounced the same, but used differently. Believe me.

They're not quite identical. Trust me on this one, there's a distinct difference. It can get you in a lot of trouble. You could get a good kicking for saying something perfectly innocent in American. There are a lot of words which are spelled and pronounced the same, but used differently. Believe me.
That falls under one of the exceptions I made: vocabulary.

This is an international website, not everyone's first language is English...

I think I've covered that, Muppetlandia. Read the first post in a thread next time.

That falls under one of the exceptions I made: vocabulary.


You are one contentious so-and-so, aren't you?

This is an international website, not everyone's first language is English...
but ther is sum ppl huz 1st lang iz engl n they typ lik diz

Txt spk should be punished by public flogging. As should deliberately kewl spelling.

but ther is sum ppl huz 1st lang iz engl n they typ lik diz

The only thing more annoying than people typing like that, is when they use stupid abbreviations like, "btw", "wtf", "lol", and "lmao".

agreed text message typers should be flogged, i'm allways forced to right down text message before i can understand them.

But on the spelling point, i'm sorry but up until the point where jolt or others install a spellchecker in the froums (unlikley), you'll just have to live with it

The only thing more annoying than people typing like that, is when they use stupid abbreviations like, "btw", "wtf", "lol", and "lmao".

I'll have to speak up here in defence of the contraction "frex" which I think is a marvelous word.

I don't personally mind "btw" either, maybe it just reminds me of the "usw" which is used in German ("und so weiter" = "and so on").

I'm not too bothered about the abbreviations. Except for 'lol' which really annoys me.

My spelling is excellent.

My typing, however, sucks.


And in a perfect world I would take the time to re-read each and every post, search for punctuation errors, reconsider the nuance of the expressed thoughts and consider alternate presentations for clarity's sake, and run it through spell-check just to be sure.

Strange though it may seem, it turns out that the world is NOT perfect. Go figure.

Sometimes I'm just banging out a response quickly before I have to get back to work. Sometimes I am tired. And, most importantly, it occurs to me that I really don't give a crap.

Why?

Because I'm here to express and exchange ideas, not to grade posts for style.

Yes, there are some that are horrible and sometimes they grate on me. But generally it is those that are done deliberately with stupid l33t spelling, all caps, or other BS. Those annoy me because they are deliberate.

Typos? Not a big problem usually.



Think about it - would you be the one bitching at your friends if you were having this conversation face-to-face? "I get you point Fred - but as long as you keep using the word "like" and talking in sentance fragments it just pisses me off!" Probably not right?


If the only response I get back from a post is somebody pointing out that I spelled a word incorrectly, do you know what I assume? I assume that it is all they could come up with and they can't refute the contents or they would have done so.


At that point, I figure I've won.

I'll have to speak up here in defence of the contraction "frex" which I think is a marvelous word.

I don't personally mind "btw" either, maybe it just reminds me of the "usw" which is used in German ("und so weiter" = "and so on").

They annoy me because I spend half my life trying to figure out what they mean, and once I figure it out I just can't bring myself to use those abbreviations. But I think it is really retarded when people are so lazy that instead of typing a three-letter word they type "n e" (any) and "u" (you).