Why can't people spell? Or write?

To me, this is very interesting. I was born in a country that doesn't speak English natively, and I've had people ask me if I was an English major.

I remember when I was younger, my dad would tell us that we have to be more than JUST knowing English because everybody else around us also know English (being that it's their first language.) And as it turns out, everybody else doesn't REALLY know English. I mean sure, verbal comprehension is just fine, but when it comes to spelling and written grammar, it is absolutely horrid.

Why is that? In my senior year of high school, I was taking Lit, English, and Calculus - effectively making me an English major for one semester. I just find it amazing.

And then of course, there's also the running joke that people who are technically minded should not be allowed to write.

That's always something that I found ironic and surprising all at once. Perhaps that in addition to the low labor costs, that the reason why jobs are being outsourced is because they can READ and WRITE!

Are you referring to people online and their "grammatical ways" or are you speaking about people in general? Most of the people that "can't" spell/read/write are generally older (from my experience above the age of 28-30, and I see a lot...I go to court 2-4 times a week...). Most people would think that the more "unintelligent" people would be those from minority backgrounds, but from what I have observed, it is about equal between all sexes, races, and ethnicities. But, that is just in real life...online, most people just don't care.

And I know this section of the PimpRig forum is entitled "anything goes..." but trying to rag on a great (and unfortunate) amount of people in our world who are not great spellers, readers, or writers kinda hints at an "elitist" attitude, which doesn't fly too well...

Also, for someone that harps on people's grammatical errors in their everyday life, you have a fair share in your posts as well. Everyone makes mistakes (and I'm sure I've written some in this post, and have in many posts). But, online, on a forum...most people view it as an informal arena and don't really "care" too much about grammatical errors and whether that word is spelled correctly or if they used the correct form of "there/their/they're."

Just a word of advice, don't try to make yourself out to be "better" than others, because eventually someone is going to come along that will put you in your place as well.

Quote: Originally Posted by alpha754293 Perhaps that in addition to the low labor costs, that the reason why jobs are being outsourced is because they can READ and WRITE!

If that is considered a proper sentence, then I have yet to learn the language.

Quote: Originally Posted by alpha754293 Why can't people spell? Or write? because everybody else around us also know English

It's "because everyone around us also KNOWS English."

Some of your punctuation and sintax isn't that great either, but that's not the point....

I majored in English Lit my first three years of college and frankly, I don't spell that well either. Maybe for Christmas GK will hook us up with SpellCheck for our posting. I think a lot of mistakes occur merely because I just never learned to type. Most of my mis-spelling is actually finger-slipping; and probably is for most of the other Pimps as well.

Also, one must consider that ALL languages are continually evolving. Word usage and spelling that wasn't appropriate 20 years ago is common today, and new words that were once slang become accepted after time.

As far as outsourcing, my company does a fair amount of outsourcing, and I assure you that it isn't because those folks spell better.
The last time I spoke to a tech help guy for Symantic, after a five minute conversation (?), I was assured that he possesed very little command of the English language.

Looks for my dead horse........
Time to beat him again.

Quote: Originally Posted by alpha754293 Why can't people spell? Or write? Why is that? In my senior year of high school, I was taking Lit, English, and Calculus - effectively making me an English major for one semester. I just find it amazing. . . . That's always something that I found ironic and surprising all at once. Perhaps that in addition to the low labor costs, that the reason why jobs are being outsourced is because they can READ and WRITE!

For your first point of school. I also took Lit and Calc my senior year...along with Physics, Studies in Humor, Classic music (playing), and programming. English classes that teach grammer? The last one I had was in grade school. Proper sentence structure wasn't required to calculate intraplanetary gravity or how to read sheet music.

For your second point. Do you really think that we outsource jobs because of poor reading and writing skills and lower labor costs? That's an urban legend.

Quote: Originally Posted by prime-evil ...I majored in English Lit...

Sorry man. Reading my posts must make your eyes bleed with angst.

If I can't read a post I simply move along to the next thread.
Example:

Quote: Originally Posted by random idiot hey can sum 1 help me wif dis? mi pc boots wen im playin and i wan 2 fix it. if u no how tel me.

If it was not worth their time to post something legible, then it surely is not worth mine to read or respond.

Quote: Originally Posted by TimberWolf For your second point. Do you really think that we outsource jobs because of poor reading and writing skills and lower labor costs? That's an urban legend. Sorry man. Reading my posts must make your eyes bleed with angst.

TimberWolf,
Never had a problem with any of your posts! You're very clear in your meanings.
I don't expect "the Queen's English" in everyday language, nor do I use it. (Foe's example is a little extreme but a point well taken, there are limits). A time an place for everything... the familiar vernacular for converstation, business-speak for the work stuff.....

Outsourcing usually occurs in order to gain access to developing economies in other nations. Period. If you're a huge corporation and you want to gain access (sales of your product) in China, they will demand you send them some jobs their way. Most foreign nations expect a two way street in this respect.

Quote: Originally Posted by prime-evil TimberWolf, Never had a problem with any of your posts! You're very clear in your meanings...

Thank you Prime.

Quote: Originally Posted by prime-evil Outsourcing usually occurs in order to gain access to developing economies in other nations. Period. If you're a huge corporation and you want to gain access (sales of your product) in China, they will demand you send them some jobs their way. Most foreign nations expect a two way street in this respect.

I agree 100%. This is one of the primary reasons why we outsource.

Well, not that I'm one to stir things up....but you Americans can't spell either.

COLOUR HAS A U IN IT!

Seriously though, people who talk in text message language because they're too retarded to type properly pee me off. It makes it really hard to read. They need this.....

Quote: Originally Posted by reflux Well, not that I'm one to stir things up....but you Americans can't spell either. COLOUR HAS A U IN IT! Seriously though, people who talk in text message language cos they're too retarded to type properly pee me off. It makes it really hard to read. They need this.....

yet, you used a "text message" word in cos....if you're going to make a point...at least don't be a hypocrite ...use the word you intended to use.. "because"

and just so you know, i seem to always spell theatre like you guys do over the big pond...i just think it looks cooler than theater...and I tried spelling color, colour in school once when i was in, 3rd grade, and I got points taken off...haha

Pretty much our school systems arent that great. The teachers don't care enough to get the students motivated. At the same time the younger generations are just plain lazy and dont learn any in school.

Quote: Originally Posted by reflux Well, not that I'm one to stir things up....but you Americans can't spell either. COLOUR HAS A U IN IT! Seriously though, people who talk in text message language cos they're too retarded to type properly pee me off. It makes it really hard to read. They need this.....

Looks to me like you could use a bit of a spelling lesson yourself. Last time I looked it was spelled: cause. Cos is an island southeast of Greece.

>>Color<<

Cpt.Planet...please don't make those type of stereotypical comments about teachers. Yes, there are some that "don't care" but DO NOT label the entire workforce of teachers as lazy and incompetent...

It only takes a few to make it worse for everyone in that field (same goes for students). But depending where you live, you can get a very good education. I went to high school in South Carolina and I believe I was taught very well, and learned very mcuh. Just because someone says "that state is bad" doesn't really mean that.

Also, my fiance is a teacher, and I hate it when people criticize what they do...because they don't know any better and only say what they've heard on the news or in some new study...

but to label all teachers that was is just silly, because there are many, many, many, many teachers (and they far out number the bad ones) that are very motivated about their job and do a wonderful job.

Quote: Originally Posted by NCXCStud yet, you used a "text message" word in cos....if you're going to make a point...at least don't be a hypocrite ...use the word you intended to use.. "because" and just so you know, i seem to always spell theatre like you guys do over the big pond...i just think it looks cooler than theater...and I tried spelling color, colour in school once when i was in, 3rd grade, and I got points taken off...haha

OK, I've corrected it! I meant when people put "omg dat roxor, w00t i'm so l33t wot is dis pees of hardwera". I don't count "cos" as text slang as it was slang before text messages.

Just why do you Americans spell such random words in different ways? I suppose it de-frenches the language, which is obviously a good thing.

Quote: Originally Posted by Foe Looks to me like you could use a bit of a spelling lesson yourself. Last time I looked it was spelled: cause. Cos is an island southeast of Greece. >>Color<<

Even then, the word need is "because".

This is the problem right here, some people are over analytical of posts made by others. So long as a person tries to use grammer, punctuation and spelling, there is no need to flame.

By the way, this has been covered about 100 times now on these forums.

Jonny English would have some excellent points to make from his field of study on the subject at hand. However, you can't exactly go round to everyone barking away like some posessed hound everytime someone utters the phrase "ROFL" and "OMFGWTFBBQ HAX0R PWNS J00R B0X0RZ".

Digi is correct - this horse has been almost flogged to the bone.

Ooh! Ooh! Can I play English teacher?

Just pickin' on ya, man. Like the others said, relaxed English is often used on forums; but I agree with you that too much laxness can impede communication.

I like teachers. Had one when I was 14.

Quote: Originally Posted by FunkyFresh Ooh! Ooh! Can I play English teacher? Why can't people spell? Or write? To me, this is very interesting. I was born in a country that doesn't speak English natively, and I've had people ask me if I was were an English major. (Hypothetical form is, "...if I were...") I remember when I was younger, my dad would tell us that we have to be more than JUST knowing do more than just know English, (comma) because everybody else around us also knows English (being that since it's their first language.) ). (The period comes last when the parenthetical remark is not a complete sentence.) And as it turns out, everybody else doesn't REALLY know English. I mean, (comma) sure, verbal comprehension is just fine, but when it comes to spelling and written grammar, it is are absolutely horrid. Why is that? In my senior year of high school, I was taking Lit, English, and Calculus--effectively (a double dash should be used, with no spaces.) making me an English major for one semester. I just find it amazing. (Ambiguous "it". You find it amazing that you were an English major?) And then, (comma) of course, there's also the running joke that people who are technically minded should not be allowed to write. That's always something that (unnecessary) I found ironic and surprising all at once. Perhaps that in addition to the low labor costs, that the reason why jobs are being outsourced is because they can READ and WRITE! Just pickin' on ya, man. Like the others said, relaxed English is often used on forums; but I agree with you that too much laxness can impede communication.

Haven't you heard that teachers are not suppose to use red when correcting a student's work. It affects their self-esteem (I can't remember where I heard, I know it came from a parent that didn't believe in spanking as a form of discipline).