Why do people have the need to correct others??

lostinrates

ColleenPamela wrote: »

Personally, it annoys me when people don't care what they sound like and cannot be bothered to write their posts in a way that makes sense to others. Even dyslexics- it takes more time, but it is still possible. I'm not the type to leap on every little typo, but then I don't make corrections on here because I've seen people who do get verbally attacked for it. I welcome corrections on my grammar, spelling and pronunciation- I would rather be corrected than go through my life doing something wrong and looking like an utter a$$!

I am not dyslexic. However, I have a different problem with writing and ''word finding'' and syntax and spelling since I suffering from a nuerological condition some years ago. I have had to relearn almost the very concept of language.

Sometimes my posts are almost unreadable, but I first started posting here as it was a lot more interesting and had an instant feedback, and less.....frustrating, than the language therapies and more professional approaches to regaining skills.

I am always a little embarrassed by my posts. Sometimes they are fine, sometimes they are terrible. Increasingly the trend has been better over the years....but my oldest ''chums'' on MSE often notice if I'm not well or tired by the deteriation of my posts. :o.

The worst part? I used to be a language pedant too.


edit: I never mind when people pick up on my mistakes, sometimes (like the two in my sig, the mistakes are funny). But I AM wrong, and I can see why its frustrating for people reading. I am surprised how many people are aggressive about it though. It doesn't worry me, and I find it easier and easier as the years go by to laugh at myself.

MessyMare

lostinrates wrote: »

I am not dyslexic. However, I have a different problem with writing and ''word finding'' and syntax and spelling since I suffering from a nuerological condition some years ago. I have had to relearn almost the very concept of language.

Sometimes my posts are almost unreadable, but I first started posting here as it was a lot more interesting and had an instant feedback, and less.....frustrating, than the language therapies and more professional approaches to regaining skills.

I am always a little embarrassed by my posts. Sometimes they are fine, sometimes they are terrible. Increasingly the trend has been better over the years....but my oldest ''chums'' on MSE often notice if I'm not well or tired by the deteriation of my posts. :o.

The worst part? I used to be a language pedant too.


edit: I never mind when people pick up on my mistakes, sometimes (like the two in my sig, the mistakes are funny). But I AM wrong, and I can see why its frustrating for people reading. I am surprised how many people are aggressive about it though. It doesn't worry me, and I find it easier and easier as the years go by to laugh at myself.

See, from reading this post, I never would have guessed...it's nice to see that you haven't just given up as I've seen some people do For what it's worth I think the quality of your written English is excellent

Lotus-eater

lostinrates wrote: »

It doesn't worry me, and I find it easier and easier as the years go by to laugh at myself.

I find it getting easier to laugh at you too.
:rotfl:

:whistle:

If you can laugh at yourself, I truly believe it makes you a better person. Quite a few people on here need to learn that.

*max*

Lotus-eater wrote: »

I find it getting easier to laugh at you too.
:rotfl:

:whistle:

If you can laugh at yourself, I truly believe it makes you a better person. Quite a few people on here need to learn that.

That's so true! I've had a few good laughs along the years because of mistakes I made in English! One memorable moment was in the pub with a friend. I knocked my drink over, got completely soaked and cried out "Arggghhhh! I just wet myself!"....Amongst shocked stares from the crowd, my friend had to explain that it meant something a little different to what I thought it did.

lostinrates

ColleenPamela wrote: »

See, from reading this post, I never would have guessed...it's nice to see that you haven't just given up as I've seen some people do For what it's worth I think the quality of your written English is excellent

it was ok then, I hope its ok now, but by tonight it will probably be full of errors again. I did some terrible posts this morning, because was trying to think hard about stuff I should know but that made my head hurt. :D

Thank you.


I guess the thing is, while 9/10 it might be some one ill educated (I'm not) or ignorant....(well, about some things certainly am, but generally I'd like to hope not) it might be someone with a genuine learning disability or issue.

FWIW, many speakers of English as a second language have vastly superior knowledge of grammar than mother tongue speakers IME. I often wonder if part of the reason we as a nation are poor at second languages is that we have, in general, fairly poor understanding of our own. Its been interesting to see the tv have some programmes on English language and literature recently. We have such a rich vocabulary, and English has the possibility to be beautifully poetic, heart breakingly romantic anfd ball bustingly powerful a language....yet we are pretty blase about our language, with is a language rich in influence and history and cultural diversity.

lostinrates

Lotus-eater wrote: »

I find it getting easier to laugh at you too.
:rotfl:

.

Hmm. You are a rotter sometimes.

make_me_wise

Personally I repsect anyone who is fluent in several languages. I wouldn't correct someones grammar if they were speaking with me, unless they had specifically asked me to, so as to aid their ability. However I do find it hard work to read something that isn't grammatically correct and tend to only read part of it before giving up.

euronorris

lostinrates wrote: »

FWIW, many speakers of English as a second language have vastly superior knowledge of grammar than mother tongue speakers IME. I often wonder if part of the reason we as a nation are poor at second languages is that we have, in general, fairly poor understanding of our own. Its been interesting to see the tv have some programmes on English language and literature recently. We have such a rich vocabulary, and English has the possibility to be beautifully poetic, heart breakingly romantic anfd ball bustingly powerful a language....yet we are pretty blase about our language, with is a language rich in influence and history and cultural diversity.

I find the same to be true of native Dutch speakers too.

I think it is because, I am only just learning the grammar, and I really have to consider what applies before I open my mouth. But, with native language, you learn the grammar rules as a child and over time use it so much, that you no longer have to conciously think about it. It just comes to you, and you forget the actual rules yourself.

lostinrates

euronorris wrote: »

I find the same to be true of native Dutch speakers too.

I think it is because, I am only just learning the grammar, and I really have to consider what applies before I open my mouth. But, with native language, you learn the grammar rules as a child and over time use it so much, that you no longer have to conciously think about it. It just comes to you, and you forget the actual rules yourself.

I understand this reasoning, but I'm not sure I agree from my experience. I think often if you asked someone on the spot for an example in their own language of a verb tense....lets say past perfect....I think lots of English speakers from UK might struggle for a minute, though as you say, be able to give an example in their second language, where as many of my other first language speakers can give an example instantly in their own languages ...its something we've discussed a lot.

DH as a bilingual guy with a string third language often does langauge reviews at work because its quicker to do them himself...but also...he finds in his office if he is referring them to another English speaker in HIS office..no idea of the universal experience, the American English speakers tend to be more precise and ''interested'' in language then the British English speakers....this might simply be because they themselves are in a new continent and so more aleryt to language differences. His secretaries both happen to be Australasian, and I have never asked him how they compare in his experience, but then, I don't think he forwards them language reviews.

(btw, I say this as a mainly British educated person with some US primary education, and an Australisian heritage, its not meant in any way negatively toward any of the areas refered to!) also, we're a weird language family, as most of us are multiligual and had education in more than one country...but at different ages..our friends too are a bit of a self selcting group, by virtue of being such an international lot, so its bound to lead into some minority experience!

edit: I listened to Dutch on the tv in Brussels at the weekend, it sounds lovely.

euronorris

lostinrates wrote: »

edit: I listened to Dutch on the tv in Brussels at the weekend, it sounds lovely.

Sounds lovely, but bl00dy difficult to pronunce correctly at times! :rotfl: There are quite a few sounds in the Dutch language that are not in the English language and I struggle with them.

The 'g' sound was pretty easy to master in comparison to the 'ui' sound. It was a long time before I could even hear a difference between that sound and the English 'ow' sound. Mastering is even more difficult

Maybe my experience with regards to grammar will change as my Dutch skills develop.