Whatever happened to English?

[4Cruizn]

As long as I know what you're saying . . I'm good with it.   

[priderocks]

I suppose it's just a pet peeve of mine. It's an effort to read some post in which the writer doesn't bother to punctuate- not because they can't but because they figure they will just let someone else work to figure it out. I certainly wouldn't know a past participle if my wife served me one for dinner. However, I think we do the young a disservice when we say the only thing that matters is getting your point across. Like it or not, we live in a world in which people draw conclusions about us based on the language we use, and how we wield it. It might not matter when your talking about wiper motors, but when applying for a job, competing for a promotion, or vying for a contract, you can bet it does. In the business/corporate world where many of our kids will find their niche, good writing and speaking skills will seperate the haves from the have nots.

I remember many years ago soliciting bids for a computer system for a private school.
One of the emails I received was so poorly worded that I showed it to my children and posed this question; What is your opinion of this person's command of the subject matter?  They conclude, perhaps incorrectly, perhaps not, that the person wasn't very smart.

 

[plumcrazy704406]

DOH!

[wagesofsin]

i hate the way slang has gone mainstream, and has actually replaced grammar in many instances. sure, i make mistakes, probably made 10 here already, but you know what im saying.


so, that being said, and the english language is safe... as long as the understanding is there...

is it really ok for our children to "have" to learn to speak spanish now?

im not getting that one

why in the unites states of america is it ok to "have" to learn a new language?

i get the fact that big business cant survivie without the illegal alien workforce, but crimeny pete! where does it end?

ok, ive started something... gotta run now! hahah

[bb71challenger]

i hate the way slang has gone mainstream, and has actually replaced grammar in many instances. sure, i make mistakes, probably made 10 here already, but you know what im saying.


so, that being said, and the english language is safe... as long as the understanding is there...

is it really ok for our children to "have" to learn to speak spanish now?

im not getting that one

why in the unites states of america is it ok to "have" to learn a new language?

i get the fact that big business cant survivie without the illegal alien workforce, but crimeny pete! where does it end?

ok, ive started something... gotta run now! hahah

Exactly. Why is one foreign language crammed down our throats, from the products at the store, pamphlets at the doctors office, Almost all telemarketing makes you choose either English or Spanish. Its not even Spanish, its Mexican as far as I can tell. I have many many Latino friends so let me say this is not about color. I honestly wish I knew more Mexican, its not about that either, its about a certain percentage of our citizens demanding to be catered to and getting their way.

[wagesofsin]

color is never an issue, unless someone challenges color?
why can a colored man say the "n" word, yet a non colored man cannot?
chris rock , and many other colored comedians actually hates the "n" types, and have many valid facts to back it up.
i personally have many colored friends, and none of them are "n"'s

since im on this, why do i have to pay taxes to support a family headed by an individual who:
does not have a drivers license
will not get a driverslicense
does not have insurance
will not get insurance
has no visa
will not get a visa
doesnt even know what a visa is!
saw visa commercial on sabata gigante, and thinks he can get one!



c'mon america, for whatever sake we have left, lets put the country back together, kick the wee outta all the rights groups, and make a damn stand!!! it may be our last bastion.

[fantum]

Rarely do I read a letter, e-mail message, or a message thread without several spelling or grammatical errors.  I am, by no means, a master of the English language, and I make my share of typographical mistakes in my messaging.  That said, I enjoy my time here because the predominant language is English, no matter how badly butchered some of the posts may be.  If you want to live in a state of confusion, live in south Florida and speak only English.  There are several languages spoken here with various dialects of each that are diverse enough to confuse even the "high" speakers of the language being spoken.

So, let's get back to  so that we can do a little more  .

P.S.  I am enjoying this thread.   

[sleepychallenger]

Sorry guys and gals. I know that I am a major offender with this but most of the time it is because I am in a hurry and dont have the time to sit here and check my typing to make sure that every word is the way it is suppoesed to be or that I spelled everything right. Im with Chryco, as long as you can read what I wrote, its fine. Most of what I have been posting lately has been from a blackberry anyway and I'm not about to take my time to capitalize the letters. As long as I communicate my point and I can understand what everyone else is asking then we are fine.

[bb71challenger]

I will use capital letters and periods but other than that I think most reasonable people can read between the lines. I am not going to sit here and make sure all the punctuation is correct and no I will not apologize for it either lol. I have a few pet peeves myself but by far the worst to me are the screamers. THEY FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE TO SCREAM AT YOU FROM THEIR COMPUTER FOR YOU TO GET THEIR POINT. Other than that I am with Neil and others when I say if I can read it then its all good to me.

[farmertan]

no im not going to take the time to reach for the shift key just to capitalize properly, talking on the computer is a lot like talking face to face, would you repeat the last paragraph just to get it perfect when your face to face i dont think so,it also depends on a persons keyboard ability or typing speed,it would be a waste of time for slower typers to stare at the keyboard looking for every quotation mark or comma if there not good at typing.

[hebeegbz]

no im not going to take the time to reach for the shift key just to capitalize properly, talking on the computer is a lot like talking face to face, would you repeat the last paragraph just to get it perfect when your face to face i dont think so,it also depends on a persons keyboard ability or typing speed,it would be a waste of time for slower typers to stare at the keyboard looking for every quotation mark or comma if there not good at typing.

Bravo well done .

[priderocks]

OMG

[73dce]

Learning Spanish is a good thing.  There are people that come here and don't care what you think.  I've heard alot more than just Spanish being spoken.  I've heard Asian, Russian, German, Italian, Ebonics, Canadian lol j/k.  You get my point, eh.  At first I was offended, but now I know why, they communicate better with each other in their own language.  Most of them know enough English to get by.  But I also know that translators make a decent amount of money.  And if you are looking for a job and know two languages it helps quite a bit.  So your kids learning another language is for their benefit.

As for the real subject of this thread, some people just don't know how to use a keyboard and some people(like me)don't know proper English.  I didn't pay attention much in high school.

[somedaysoon]

I suppose it's just a pet peeve of mine. It's an effort to read some post in which the writer doesn't bother to punctuate- not because they can't but because they figure they will just let someone else work to figure it out. I certainly wouldn't know a past participle if my wife served me one for dinner. However, I think we do the young a disservice when we say the only thing that matters is getting your point across. Like it or not, we live in a world in which people draw conclusions about us based on the language we use, and how we wield it. It might not matter when your talking about wiper motors, but when applying for a job, competing for a promotion, or vying for a contract, you can bet it does. In the business/corporate world where many of our kids will find their niche, good writing and speaking skills will seperate the haves from the have nots.

I remember many years ago soliciting bids for a computer system for a private school.
One of the emails I received was so poorly worded that I showed it to my children and posed this question; What is your opinion of this person's command of the subject matter?  They conclude, perhaps incorrectly, perhaps not, that the person wasn't very smart.

 You're way off base with this one bud. Proper English and smarts in my opinion are not relevant. I know some people whom in your description would be considered brilliant, but couldn't figure out how to tighten a fan belt if they had to. Now that's what consider an idiot, but your kid's would conclude, that this person was very smart. Intelligence is measured in many way's, and I would bet that you're not so savvy at all aspects of life, does this in turn mean you're not very smart.
  Pete

  I'm sorry to rant in this manner. I do understand your post, but in the quote above you touched a nerve. I am in no way even considered smart in your Children's way of judging, but yet I don't feel there is anything I can't do or figure out how to do when it comes to working with my hands.
  A very bigoted way of forming an opinion if you ask me.

[73dce]

Thats a badass looking Cuda.