Why is spelling and grammar so poor on this forum?

I was discussing this with somebody at work today - after I mentioned the negative numbers thread, he raised the question of spelling / grammar.

This is not a dig at anybody, but I'm genuinely interested in people's opinions. I have never seen such poor literacy on any other forum I've been on. I've been on a number of other car forums (the 964 one, a Mits. Pajero one, a Ford Focus one) and I don't remember seeing the same problem.

The average age on this forum is certainly much lower than the 964 forum - and in general, the older people on here do seem to understand punctuation and spelling. I'm not sure what the average age was on the other forums I've been on.

Is it basically an indication of our education system these days? Or is it something else?

mine reason is because i was lazy at school and i'm lazy now, totally honest answer. i'm 31 btw

I think in the world of the interenet and people txting so much.. its just down to been lazy! like insted of text i would put txt... so on so on

(Yes im a lazy Bastard!)

I think its an indication of the demographic of our membership, social decline in general, and plain chavishness

27 here by the way.

i'm just dumb

I visit quite a large number of forums on a regular basis and of those find this one of the better ones. However, the grammar and spelling has been getting steadily worse as long as I've been here (it's no recent thing, beleive me!).

It does very dependant on the type of forum, the more "upmarket" or specialist forums tend to have the more literate posts, whereas the performance car forums tend to be worse. Scoobynet is an example of how bad it can get.

One doesn't know what one is on about....... LIKE DIVVINT YER KNAR

My english was never that good, and I'm 40:)

I visit quite a large number of forums on a regular basis and of those find this one of the better ones. However, the grammar and spelling has been getting steadily worse as long as I've been here (it's no recent thing, beleive me!).

 

It does very dependant on the type of forum, the more "upmarket" or specialist forums tend to have the more literate posts, whereas the performance car forums tend to be worse. Scoobynet is an example of how bad it can get.

I take it you made those mistakes to make a point?

I visit quite a large number of forums on a regular basis and of those find this one of the better ones. However, the grammar and spelling has been getting steadily worse as long as I've been here (it's no recent thing, beleive me!).

 

It does very dependant on the type of forum, the more "upmarket" or specialist forums tend to have the more literate posts, whereas the performance car forums tend to be worse. Scoobynet is an example of how bad it can get.

I take it you made those mistakes to make a point?

Erm...... Yes

I visit quite a large number of forums on a regular basis and of those find this one of the better ones. However, the grammar and spelling has been getting steadily worse as long as I've been here (it's no recent thing, beleive me!).

Agreed, I see a lot worse on a lot of forums I visit, the difference here is that we tend to mention it, elsewhere it seems to be accepted / ignored.

PS: "believe"

I've seen it written that the mistakes happen because it's an internet forum and as such there is no need for accuracy. Some argue that they spell correctly at work. I reckon if they can do it at work then they can do it here.

I can understand that a hastily written response may contain some letters in the wrong order but, what I fail to grasp, are words that are completely wrong.

Not picking on anyone in particular but recently 'mist' was written instead of 'missed'. That's not laziness or haste. I was pretty appalled.

I do wonder how some people can even manage to get themselves dressed each morning let alone hold down a job.

I think it is a product of today's educational standards. My eldest son recently gained 8 GCSE's (is that the right terminology these days?) and 2 "A" levels and yet, when he writes, his punctuation and grammar are appalling.

In saying that, at least what he writes is legible. I have trouble working out some posts on here - as can be seen from the quote in my sig.

I have a 16 year old, her writing is very good, i just have to ask her how to spell everything:).

I often type "thing" instead of "think" - no idea why, it just happens automatically despite me thinking and wanting to write the right word. Mild dyslexia perhaps () but I tend to go back and read my replies in an attempt to correct mistakes before too many people notice or quote me

I often type "thing" instead of "think" - no idea why, it just happens automatically despite me thinking and wanting to write the right word. Mild dyslexia perhaps () but I tend to go back and read my replies in an attempt to correct mistakes before too many people notice or quote me

I have the same problem with "now" and "not". I have no idea why.

I tend to hit ; instead of ' due to having a slightly oddly spaced keyboard. I try to correct things like don;t or can;t before publishing though.

Bad grammar and punctuation don't really bother me too much, however, text speak and bad spelling really gr8:thumbdown:

'Tunning' is my current favorite.

it does dunt it m8

I was discussing this with somebody at work today - after I mentioned the negative numbers thread, he raised the question of spelling / grammar.

 

This is not a dig at anybody, but I'm genuinely interested in people's opinions. I have never seen such poor literacy on any other forum I've been on. I've been on a number of other car forums (the 964 one, a Mits. Pajero one, a Ford Focus one) and I don't remember seeing the same problem.

 

The average age on this forum is certainly much lower than the 964 forum - and in general, the older people on here do seem to understand punctuation and spelling. I'm not sure what the average age was on the other forums I've been on.

 

Is it basically an indication of our education system these days? Or is it something else?

I can't really comment on other forums as I rarely visit any others, but I think a lack punctuation, grammar and spelling etc could be a indication of an overall reliance on technology "doing the work for you". Or it could be that people are tired when they get home from work, and just can't be arsed. Or it could be that, contrary to Government spin and statistics, the education system is failing the younger generation and that standards are infact in decline.

Personally I don't think it is a phenomenom peculiar to this forum, because I see all of those things that you mention above in new people joining my profession. They seem unable to write reports, use text speak frequently , don't understand the concept of accuracy or presentation and take no pride in the reports or files that they do submit.

Others could argue, that the use of text speak in everyday use, is an evolvement of language, in much the same way that Olde English developed into what it has become today. I don't hold much favour with that argument, I see the use of text speak as laziness.

I also think, and this is of no detriment to anyone who has been fortunate to go on to further education,(I haven't and this is only my opinion) but I believe that the value of a University Degree attained in todays University system does not have the credence of one attained maybe 20 years ago.Compared with our European and American University systems, entry standards to our institutes are not as stringent. Whilst there is an argument that Universities should be available to all, there should be, to some degree, a level of elitism, instead of modicum of acheivement attained now.

There will always has been, to some degree, the older generation looking at the younger generation and thinking "Tssk, in my day....." . The older we get, the more pedantic we become methinks.

I'm not writing a CV OR applying for a job, so I don't really care.

I.......am.............22...............and............I..................am...............in.................the....................slow.................readers.....................club.

I am sorry, I just felt the need to write the above for some strange reason. It's been a long day.

I'm not writing a CV OR applying for a job, so I don't really care.

Interesting point, if spelling, grammar and so on is so important in this day of age why do some not use it to seek better jobs? Instead of starting threads and moaning about how thier job sucks etc etc.

If they are truly that educated they would not be in such a dead end job that is "poorly paid", they would actively seek better employment.