Do grammar and spelling matter on a message board?
- Thread starter ichabod
- Start date
Thresher
First Post
Well theres different versions of english, English/US and English/UK/Au have a a lot of differences in their spelling and its not the easiest language for people to learn, much more so to write.
Yes, there is the rest of the world out there and its probably a lot different to your own backyard, so give a person a break. Everyones entitled to a screw-up once in awhile because we're only human and if your like me, a bit dyslexic then you have to double check everything once or twice to make sure. Maybe my spelling isnt the best sometimes but it dosnt make me stupid.
What really annoys me is people that 'judge' others on their literacy ability as a sign on intelligence, dunno what gives them that right considering its only letters on a page and if you think that some common courtesy can be discarded as its not a face to face communication that is the height of rudeness.
Yes, there is the rest of the world out there and its probably a lot different to your own backyard, so give a person a break. Everyones entitled to a screw-up once in awhile because we're only human and if your like me, a bit dyslexic then you have to double check everything once or twice to make sure. Maybe my spelling isnt the best sometimes but it dosnt make me stupid.
What really annoys me is people that 'judge' others on their literacy ability as a sign on intelligence, dunno what gives them that right considering its only letters on a page and if you think that some common courtesy can be discarded as its not a face to face communication that is the height of rudeness.
Heretic Apostate
First Post
Is this poll in any way related to RPGs?
If not, I expect it to be closed. Probably while I'm trying to post.
If not, I expect it to be closed. Probably while I'm trying to post.
Stormfalcon
First Post
Heretic Apostate said:Is this poll in any way related to RPGs?
If not, I expect it to be closed. Probably while I'm trying to post.
It's basically a spinoff from a thread regarding grammar, spelling, RPG releases, and press releases. Essentially, that thread started heading into flamewar territory when one person started insisting that people be judged by the way they write on Internet messageboards, thus this spinoff.
Heretic Apostate
First Post
Then it shouldn't have been made into a poll. Off-topic polls are forbidden. If you can figure some way to close the poll, great, but otherwise this thread will be closed by the mods.
My spelling and grammar is my representation on this message board. If I neglect to speak clearly and precicely, I show that I am lazy, unknowledgable (of English), or that I hold in contempt the readers of the boards.
"'He that lives well preaches well' quoth Sancho, 'that's all the divinity I understand.'" Same for typing, say I.
"'He that lives well preaches well' quoth Sancho, 'that's all the divinity I understand.'" Same for typing, say I.
Mouseferatu
Hero
I, for one, certainly don't expect perfection in online posts. I don't mind slang--this is basically the equivalent of informal speech. I don't mind the occasional typo, or mistake. I make more than enough of those myself.
And I certainly understand that when English is not someone's first language, they're going to have issues with it. It's far from the easiest language to learn.
All that said, I expect people to at least make an effort at proper spelling and grammar--and let's be honest, you can usually tell, based on the sorts of mistakes, whether the proplem is a lack of understanding of the language or simple laziness. Ultimately, language is about communication. If you don't attempt to use the language properly (or at least intelligibly), what you're trying to communicate is likely to get lost, or at best be difficult to interpret.
Honestly, I'm of the opinion that if someone's post was unimportant enough to them that they couldn't be bothered to try to communicate it properly, it certainly can't be important enough for anyone to bother reading it.
(Emergencies and other situations where typing is legitimately done in haste are, of course, exceptions. But I've not yet come across anything on an RPG messageboard that justifiably quallifies as an emergency.)
This, BTW, is also why I feel people who use "L33T speak" regularly and seriously (I have no problem with people doing it on occasion as a joke) should have their computers confiscated and be forced to repeat the 2nd-5th grades. But that's just me.
And I certainly understand that when English is not someone's first language, they're going to have issues with it. It's far from the easiest language to learn.
All that said, I expect people to at least make an effort at proper spelling and grammar--and let's be honest, you can usually tell, based on the sorts of mistakes, whether the proplem is a lack of understanding of the language or simple laziness. Ultimately, language is about communication. If you don't attempt to use the language properly (or at least intelligibly), what you're trying to communicate is likely to get lost, or at best be difficult to interpret.
Honestly, I'm of the opinion that if someone's post was unimportant enough to them that they couldn't be bothered to try to communicate it properly, it certainly can't be important enough for anyone to bother reading it.
(Emergencies and other situations where typing is legitimately done in haste are, of course, exceptions. But I've not yet come across anything on an RPG messageboard that justifiably quallifies as an emergency.)
This, BTW, is also why I feel people who use "L33T speak" regularly and seriously (I have no problem with people doing it on occasion as a joke) should have their computers confiscated and be forced to repeat the 2nd-5th grades. But that's just me.
I would have said at one time they matter BUT surfing is an international pastime, Americian english is the defaco standard. We should not hold our culture and way of doing things above those of other counties, forcing our spelling and grammer onto them. Yes, it matters to a degree but it is something you over look and don't talk about.
Wulf Ratbane
Adventurer
Felix said:
Then you might consider editing that right there.
Wulf
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