Why do grown ups adults take the piss spelling /grammar

[Easystuff]

Not just here but other social media places to. Why do people feel the need to correct people's spellings and grammar or even take the piss out of it. There are so many people that claim to be intelligent and cleaver. But yet they don't seem to have the brains to understand dyslexia and other learning difficulties are quite common. And on top of that spelling is not even the subject of the thread.

So why do people do it. Do they look good, does it make them feel big, do they feel smart. Are they trying to make the other person look silly .

That you find someone's difficulties with written English "intensely fucking irritating" says a great deal about you.

I agree with this . You often just have to read the sentence and it will be worked out .

Obviously it's nasty behaviour and completely unnecessary.

I also don't like it when discussion on MN and elsewhere uses fancy language that you need a degree to understand.
I like good inclusive plain language.

I often tend to wonder if English isn't a person's first language, and tbh I'm in awe of anyone who can communicate in another language.
I certainly can't.

This is a forum where the only way we can communicate is via the written word. Surely we all have a responsibility to do whatever we can to make sure we're communicating as clearly as we can.

I have sympathy for anyone with dyslexia or similar, which is why I don't correct people. But I have zero sympathy for those who say 'what does it matter?' - it matters to me because it makes it harder for me to understand the message someone is putting out there. it's your message, and your responsibility to express it as clearly as you can.

I don't correct people because that's wanky behaviour and I don't know someone's background, but I do get an internal flinch at certain things. My nonna would rap our knuckles when we spelled things wrong or used poor grammar and the memory has lingered.

So I don't correct, and never mention it, but I feel the sting in my fingers every time I see "could of" "would of" or "should of".

I don’t correct, but I sometimes feel the people who do so are doing a good service. So many people now only see written English online, on sites like Mn and social media, because they don’t read books or newspapers or anything copyedited,, so continually seeing ‘chester draws’, ‘their/there/they’re’ or ‘bought’/‘brought’ confusion, ‘defiant’ for ‘definite’ etc creates a false sense that the incorrect versions are standard, which isn’t helpful for people whose written English isn’t fluent. Dyslexia or obvious autocorrect typos are different.

People come up with lots of excuses for their bad manners over this. The reality is that in most cases it's just to make themselves seem superior, just hidden behind a plethora of excuses for doing it.

I wouldn't pull someone in up their spelling and grammar in a site like Mumsnet.

I know that posters may have learning difficulties, may have dyslexia, may be using voice to text software, or English may not be their first language.

So why would I chose to make those people feel bad about themselves just because I'd rather see a post with correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, use of paragraphs, etc.

I always assume it's the only way to make themselves feel more superior and think it's pretty sad for them.
I mean, why would you try to humiliate someone over it.

I also teach lower primary children, so I am pretty good at deciphering the meaning of tests with less than perfect spelling, grammar and handwriting. As a result, my comprehension of most posts on MN, regardless of how they are types, is generally fine.

The decline in the use of grammatically correct language, spelling and punctuation is galling.

Even journalism (content notwithstanding) has gone to hell in a handcart!

Pointless flagging it up though as you will only earn a mouthful.

But if someone has dyslexia or learning difficulties how do they take responsibility? They are already doing their best . And struggling to make a simple post . But the reader won't know that.

Difficulties with written English or just plain sloppiness? Not everyone is dyslexic and most people if they want to can improve. There are also tools like Grammarly and SpellCheck.

Yes, it is intensely irritating. I am fine what it says about me that I judge. If I get an email at work that I cannot understand because it is 3 sentences in one with no punctuation, I am going to ask that person to re-phrase and have as it suggests they could not be bothered to read their own emails and expect me to read their mind.

Punctuation (by almost every poster on the thread who thinks it's OK to correct people) doesn't seem to be a priority tbf!

But you don't have to read it!! If someone is asking advice on a forum, then they're not writing it for you - if you can't understand it, don't have time to reread, or aren't inclined to spend time deciphering it, then you can just click away and leave it to someone that can understand. Why comment?

I don't even know how to use grammar.

Spotted near me "Welness Clinic"
Also "Book's for sale"
The urge to go in and correct them is something I have to regularly fight. Not being superior, just pedantic.

I've only done it on MN once. The OP was being rather obnoxious and had a spate of posting about her yob son and how dare the teachers of his school discipline him, and who needed education anyway. The spelling and grammar indicated someone who could have benefited from a good dose of education. It was the tone that made me give in to temptation.

If I come across a bewildering wall of text, I move on.

It's easy to mis-type, autocorrect, have blind spots aside from barriers like dyslexia or additional languages. I certainly make errors and don't want to sacrifice myself to Muphry's Law 😁

It's awful when someone is trying to post about something serious and distressing, and some smart arse decides to focus on SPAG when it was clear what the thread was about.

Oh, when they're being a twat it's your civic duty to correct them. 😂

Good manners isn't just not spilling sauce on the table cloth, it's not noticing when others do.

Chekhov

Would it, though? If you had spinach in your teeth and someone told you politely, and discreetly, allowing you to do something about it, would you not want to know?

I like that. I read that George VI used to watch guests at official dinners and if they used the wrong cutlery, he would too.

It's awful when someone is trying to post about something serious and distressing, and some smart arse decides to focus on SPAG when it was clear what the thread was about

But absolutely this too, there's a time and place.

@Maireas

Didn't know that - that's proper hospitality

Language is the (main) means by which we communicate. We’ve developed rules around language regarding Spelling and grammar. It does make it easier to comprehend if those rules are adhered to BUT generally, with a bit of patience even the most confused communication is comprehendible.
Some very small minded people make a fuss about those who struggle with these ‘rules’. They are bum holes, ignore them. 😘

In person, you've got context to work out if it's private, discreet and appropriate. On MN, that context is rarely there unless an OP is specifically mentioning it. Generally, it's better not to mention it.

My dyslexic children feel bad enough about their spelling and written work without their meaning being ignored, and SPAG being nit picked instead.