Correcting people's grammar - acceptable?

pollypenny

coolcait wrote: »

That's definitely not how I read Gloomendoom's post!

Gloomendoom mentioned a situation where people are sometimes expected, or asked, to correct another's spelling, grammar etc.

Those corrections can be done without any malice on one side, or humiliation on another.

Just as it is possible to correct someone's maths errors without any malice on one side, or humiliation on another.

Those general points may not be widely applicable, or at all applicable, in specific situations - such as on an internet forum.

But they are still valid points.

I was expected to point out errors in my job as a teacher. I would dream of doing it here.


One of local greengrocers also sells flowers, including 'cycleman'. It just makes me groan each time I pass.

Nb: autocorrect wanted 'greengrocer' as two words. :cool:

Jagraf

maman wrote: »

I fail to see why standards of grammar, spelling and punctuation need to be lower because it's an internet forum.


I understand the use less formal language when 'chatting' on here compared with something like a job application but that's not the same as being sloppy.

How about ditching the sloppy Internet forum and speaking face to face with people? There are lots of people who wouldnt dream of lowering their standards by communicating on here.

And by the way your second paragraph contains errors

maman

Pollycat wrote: »

I refer you to this post:

I'm sure the writer of the post I mention would love not to be thought 'sloppy' when posting on here.

It's not always a case of 'being sloppy', sometimes there are very good reasons for mistakes in s/p/g.
The problem is, nobody can know if it's just laziness, lack of education or something else that causes mistakes.

And for that reason, I'm prepared to give everyone the benefit of the doubt.

Agreed, and disability would obviously be one such reason, but that doesn't cover the many other examples of poor quality language.


I have no need to 'ditch the forum' as fortunately there are many threads on here and in real life where disagreement is accepted with good grace.

coolcait

maman wrote: »

Agreed, and disability would obviously be one such reason, but that doesn't cover the many other examples of poor quality language.

...

Perhaps it's time to introduce the idea that the person who 'corrects' typos, spelling errors, grammar issues etc may also have a condition which other forum users don't know about?

I remember being taken to task by a young relative quite a few years ago, because my handwriting wasn't up to scratch.

My capital 'M' looked like a capital 'H'. My handwritten version of a famous nursery rhyme apparently told the story of Little Hiss Huffett.

He wasn't taking me to task out of any sense of superiority, or a wish to humiliate, or any of the other accusations which have been levelled against 'people who correct the grammar of others'.

It was simply part of the way he dealt with the world.

Pollycat

maman wrote: »

Agreed, and disability would obviously be one such reason, but that doesn't cover the many other examples of poor quality language.

So how would you differentiate between the posts that don't meet your standards because of disability and those that don't because of poor education or laziness?

Should someone who wasn't fortunate enough to have a good standard of education be corrected?
How would you tell if they would appreciate being corrected or be really embarrassed to be 'shown up' on a public forum?

Mupette

Well i am about to undertake a major journey in my life not a cure but a BIG game changer.

Those with MS know will know about HSCT, I'm in the middle of applying to Russia (the only place that i can have treatment, NHS criteria is too stingent here)for my treatment it costs £35k just for the treatment and so I need to be looking at £100k so those who don't like the way i type/spell etc whatever on here can put there/their money where thier mouth is and can help fund me then.




*yes purposely lots of mistakes etc, brain fog / sarcastic mode, go ahead twitch away

Gloomendoom

Pollycat wrote: »

So how would you differentiate between the posts that don't meet your standards because of disability and those that don't because of poor education or laziness?

Should someone who wasn't fortunate enough to have a good standard of education be corrected?
How would you tell if they would appreciate being corrected or be really embarrassed to be 'shown up' on a public forum?

Surely their mistake has already shown them up and will continue to do so in perpetuity until it is corrected. They are just in blissful ignorance.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to discretely point out the mistake on a public forum. PM maybe?

Petra_70

coolcait wrote: »

Perhaps it's time to introduce the idea that the person who 'corrects' typos, spelling errors, grammar issues etc may also have a condition which other forum users don't know about?

I remember being taken to task by a young relative quite a few years ago, because my handwriting wasn't up to scratch.

My capital 'M' looked like a capital 'H'. My handwritten version of a famous nursery rhyme apparently told the story of Little Hiss Huffett.

He wasn't taking me to task out of any sense of superiority, or a wish to humiliate, or any of the other accusations which have been levelled against 'people who correct the grammar of others'.

It was simply part of the way he dealt with the world.

Oh come on!!!

prosaver

i can see your point, but i haven't got a clue..sorry

Gloomendoom

Petra_70 wrote: »

Oh come on!!!

It's not that far fetched. People with OCD drive me nuts with their needless fussiness.

They can't help it though.