Opinions please...

[joseph01]

It concerns the numerous misspellings I've seen in some posts. Not often, but occasionally, I've seen posts with literally every third word misspelled. I'm not talking about the occasional misspelling that we all make, especially on a message board, like an inadvertent key stroke, an accidental rearrangement, or an I don't care to look it up. I'm talking about when it's on the verge of obscurity. Here's the question:

Would it ever be appropriate to make a subtle comment about it, or would it always be rude or impolite to do so?

Thoughts and opinions please.

[feederband]

I've never have said anything as long as I understatnd what they are meaning..I'm worried they might be young or dont know english very well..

[joseph01]

I've never have said anything as long as I understatnd what they are meaning..I'm worried they might be young or dont know english very well..

I agree, they could be quite young, or english not their native language. Members here from around the world. I would never want to be rude to them, that's why I wanted input on this.

[Guest]

I try hard to use correct grammar and spelling; however, I maek misteaks sometims!

[feederband]

I try hard to use correct grammar and spelling; however, I maek misteaks sometims!

Me too I always read it before I submit but I always find myself having to edit the post to fix spelling errors...For some reason I always forget the spellchek option...

[joseph01]

I try hard to use correct grammar and spelling; however, I maek misteaks sometims!

Well, I was referring to posts not unlike the part of your sentence that follows the semicolon. Should that just be ignored? That's what I'm wondering. Should this be a non-issue, because this is a weather and tropics board, and not a spelling, puncuation and grammer board. I wonder.

[feederband]

I try hard to use correct grammar and spelling; however, I maek misteaks sometims!

Well, I was referring to posts not unlike the part of your sentence that follows the semicolon. Should that just be ignored? That's what I'm wondering. Should this be a non-issue, because this is a weather and tropics board, and not a spelling, puncuation and grammer board. I wonder.

I wouldn't lose any sleep over it..

[streetsoldier]

Everyone mis-spells words, uses inappropriate grammar or punctuations, etc. at some time.

Some are semi-literate: others are trying so hard to get a point across that they don't proof their posts, and there are those who think "SpellCheck" is a financial service.

[Guest]

others are trying so hard to get a point across that they don't proof their posts,

That can especially be true on a heated thread on where a storm may go, human rights, ELECTIONS, POLITICS, etc!

[joseph01]

Everyone mis-spells words, uses inappropriate grammar or punctuations, etc. at some time.

Some are semi-literate: others are trying so hard to get a point across that they don't proof their posts, and there are those who think "SpellCheck" is a financial service.

Yes, I think I covered that. I was trying to query whether they would be best left to their misgivings, and allowed to continue, rather than helping them to do better.

[yoda]

Well, with me... it kind of strains my patience. For some reason, I am quite anal-retentive in spelling things. But I am very forgiving though...

[joseph01]

Well, with me... it kind of strains my patience. For some reason, I am quite anal-retentive in spelling things. But I am very forgiving though...

We are similar in this, and I'm willing to be completely forgiving too. I just wonder if this is the right attitude, Yoda. Thanks for the responses, much appreciated.

[Dee Bee]

As a 32-year-veteran English composition instructor (and still teaching), I'll share my thoughts on this topic.

The primary reason for using standard English grammar, spelling, and punctuation is to make written communication more effective. The basic goal of any writing is to make the reader understand as exactly as possible -- and to accept or at least consider -- the writer's ideas. Use of sub-standard English will not only confuse the reader, but also diminish the believability of the writer.

In addition, writing circumstances affect the acceptability of sub-standard English. Formal situations (such as academic assignments, business reports, and legal matters) require standard English, whereas informal situations (such as this forum or social e-mail and letters) generally do not because they are more conversational in nature.

Furthermore, correcting another person's grammar or mechanics is generally interpreted as disrespect unless (a)that person has expressed an interest in being corrected or (b)we believe that person will embarrass or even endangering him/herself (such as risking losing a job) by using sub-standard English.

Whether the grammar/mechanics errors which pop up at S2K are from ignorance or from typos, I've never seen a posting in which sub-standard English has caused readers to misunderstand the writer's intent. Plus, since most postings are in standard English, any members whose English skills are less than standard are sharpening their skills just by reading postings!

My bottom line is to lighten up -- or, if really necessary, ask the writer for clarification as nonjudgmentally as possible.

[joseph01]

My bottom line is to lighten up -- or, if really necessary, ask the writer for clarification as nonjudgmentally as possible.

I am more confused after your post. The first half seems to extol the virtues of communicating well, the second seems to say it's no big deal. Which is it?

[weathermom]

My take on DeeBee's post is that it is not polite to correct someone who has not asked to be corrected. Your best bet would be to lead by example and use decent grammer, spelling, and punctuation.

My question..... how do you spell check before posting?

[coriolis]

In the "reply" window, at the very bottom, two buttons over from "submit." It seems a little slow to load, though.

What's really ironic, is that it says "SpelChek"

And remember, spill chuck, won't coach every mistook.

[joseph01]

My take on DeeBee's post is that it is not polite to correct someone who has not asked to be corrected. Your best bet would be to lead by example and use decent grammer, spelling, and punctuation.

My question..... how do you spell check before posting?

As I see it, spell check always pops up as an option before posting. It does for me, anyway. I was just wondering whether we want to go the way of chat lingo, and allow horrific spelling to be representative of this board, in general.
Just looking for a consensus on this issue.

[coriolis]

This would tend to be self-correcting. If someone communicates that badly, no one will reply.

As I see it, we should not be correcting each other. I think that the board can withstand a few instances of fractured English.

[joseph01]

This would tend to be self-correcting. If someone communicates that badly, no one will reply.

As I see it, we should not be correcting each other. I think that the board can withstand a few instances of fractured English.

Again, I don't think it has anything to do with whether the board can withstand it, of course it can, It's more whether the board members with knowledge, should tolerate it. Is there really something wrong with causing someone to articulate their thoughts better?

[sunny]

This would tend to be self-correcting. If someone communicates that badly, no one will reply.

As I see it, we should not be correcting each other. I think that the board can withstand a few instances of fractured English.

Again, I don't think it has anything to do with whether the board can withstand it, of course it can, It's more whether the board members with knowledge, should tolerate it. Is there really something wrong with causing someone to articulate their thoughts better?

I see no reason to make anyone feel inferior or bad.