To think that it is very unfair, to pick someone up on spelling or grammar, just because you disagree with what they are saying.

[smokepole]

I posted recently on a ongoing topic in this section, I was picked up for my "appalling" grammar, my use of punctuation and for my sentence construction. I noticed that when my opinion changed , strangely enough my grammar or incorrect use of exclamation marks was not picked up upon. I have noticed that this happened on other threads as well. I think this is wrong for two reasons, the first being that it is a kind of bullying, intimating that because someone struggles with spelling, punctuation or correct sentence construction, that there are thick, therefore their argument or view point does not stand up. The other point it is very unfair to pick people up who have not benefited from higher education, or in my case not even education post GCSE'S, people need to realise this and accept that they have been fortunate to have been able to access higher education, but they need to give people like me some slack over my poor grammar or sentence construction.

I find it annoying when the first thing someone finds to comment on is a lack of paragraphs, with some PA comment about finding it hard to read, when the rest of us managed just fine.

Duckworth I respect your opinion about employing someone with poor spelling and grammar but I fail to see how that has any relevance to how people write posts on mumsnet. I certainly am not expecting to find a job when I write posts on mumsnet which is why I don't spell check my posts. For me using mumsnet is something I do as a leisure activity, it would no longer be enjoyable if I were to make sure every post had perfect spelling and grammar.

Ikea the odd typo is one thing, which I am certainly guilty of myself. To me, that indicates someone typing quickly, making an unconscious mistake etc...

It is when people really can't use there/their/they're correctly, or don't know the rule for its/it's that I worry as that demonstrates actual ignorance which is different IYSWIM?

My sister struggled at school with learning and was bullied too.

When I see posts picking on grammar and spelling I think that about how she would feel and I know that she would never post again. She hardly uses punctuation and some spelling can be wrong but she is still a mother and could probably do with help and advice and a giggle sometimes but she wouldn't do it here that is for sure.

Lots of threads have people shouted down with "But they may have special needs etc" when people pass judgement. It works the same with this too. Yes it might be a pain to read or understand but look past that and see the person. Some people need to take their judgemental pantaloons off.

I often think that if I was more tech savvy, I would like to post a picture of Michael Gove ( because I hate him) and say they are being cautioned by the knobber police for acting like a prize knob, hence the picture.

YANBU

It can be discrimination against those with spelling problems and those whose first language is not english.

It is happening less though I think?

and I personally always dont take notice of anything else the poster says on the thread, who pointed out grammar mistakes

I wonder how many there are of them.
Probably only the same handful who do it again and again.

I am thinking of making a list of them to find out!

Twirly

Good post. I think most of us can see that how someone says something is much less important than what they say

I find it annoying when the first thing someone finds to comment on is a lack of paragraphs, with some PA comment about finding it hard to read, when the rest of us managed just fine.

Sorry, but I do find a solid block of text very difficult to read. I'm not saying that o be offensive or superior. It happens to be the truth.

I would never post that, though. I just wouldn't read the post and would go on to something else.

It is rude, but I think it happens much less on MN than a lot of forums.

Though, I am a hypocrite because I did pick up a troll who was taunting people by asking how much education they had, while posting in a ridiculously over-poncey style with too many long words. That was fun.

I often think that if I was more tech savvy

Look, in a similar vein, this is just such an irritating thing to read. The instructions for posting a pic are given on this website in a very simple and easy to follow fashion.

Why don't you give it a go? You might get it wrong a few times, but if you keep trying, eventually you will get it.

I think part of the judginess (mine included) is that people who are ignorant of basic SAPG/incapable of following instructions are sending a huge and loud message about themselves to the world. It is nigh on impossible to ignore it.

The message is:

"I know I have a problem, and I know that there are things I can do to improve it, but I have chosen not to do so"

It is very, very difficult not to judge on this basis, very difficult.

I disagree Duckworth I do know my their/there/they're but there are many homophones that I get confused with, weather/whether ( are they homophones? Possibly I have just made them up) heel/heal too/t, also basic spellings bowel/bowl for example

I have tried so very hard to learn these spellings, I have a degree and I am going to start studying my 2nd degree ( in a Swedish which is a language I only startedto learn 3 years ago) I'm not fabulously intelligent but I'd like to think that I am not ignorant. Unfortunately the rules for some spellings just don't don't stay in my head, it is not because I haven't tried, as I have said I have learnt an entire new language so it's not as if I'm closed to the idea of educating myself itis because my brain doesn't retain that information.

I wonder if people who think bad spellers are ignorant feel the same way about people with speach impediments? Speaking seems like such an easy natural thing for me, but I don't assume people who have problems speaking fluidly or pronouncing words are ignorant or that they are not trying hard enough, I appreciate that for some people seemingly easy, basic things can be a struggle and I wish that written language difficulties were viewed in the same way as other difficulties.

YANBU. That said, I've clicked on many, many posts without paragraphs and then immediately clicked out, because I do find them very hard to read. I wouldn't post and say so though.

The only exception is if a poster has corrected someone else's spelling or grammar, especially if they've done it in a PA way. Then it's open season

But then, the message you're sending, duckworth, is 'I know some people are less bright/less educated/more disabled than me, but I'd rather judge them than accommodate them, cos my time posting on a chat forum is Terribly Important'.

Level 1 Trolling

Lastminute

I agree. Yes, it's not ideal to not have paragraphs, but you wouldn't choose to post about it, so the people who do choose to do that are being arses.

I don't like it especially when a poster is pouring their heart out, typing through tears about something really horrible and upsetting.

First reply

'OMG I can't read all that, have you never heard of paragraphs?'

Don't read it and don't post if you have a problem reading something with a lack of paragraphs surely?

CorusKate Your apostrophes are spot on: be all your sins forgiven you!

Some nice posters actually repost the OP putting paragraphs in for the 'my eyes, my eyes' people.

It's incredibly rude to comment on another person's grammar and if someone is happy to display poor grammar, well good for them. I will however judge their ability to communicate accordingly.

What I find unreasonable is when people go on about the good old days when grammar was taught in schools and everyone could spell. Because they used to cane good grammar into kids presumably. And then I come across examples of atrocious spelling from people in their fifties or sixties who obviously either weren't paying attention in class, or else are genuinely dyslexic. No I don't pick them up about it (if it's in a forum such as this) because they could be dyslexic.

I firmly believe (but I've seen no evidence for this) that typing uses a different part of the brain to handwriting because I regularly mis-type words I would never spell wrong when writing by hand. I instinctively know the i before e rule, whereas when I'm typing I have to say the rhyme in my head (and then sometimes still get it wrong). Not talking about typos here - the number of times I write 'Lodnod' is no-one's business, but can I remember how to spell 'receive' without changing 'i before e except after c'? Hah! Got it right first time!

Well, the muscle memory must be different, mustn't it?

There are words I have to trace out as if I were writing them to know how to spell them, too.

Chanting, not changing. Typo.

I don't see why you can't disagree with someones point AND point out their appalling spelling or grammar?
Actually if someone has obviously poor spelling etc, and its consistent, then you should probably not be an arse and point it out. Its the "I can't be arsed to use real words or write properly" types that deserve a pasting for it. Its fucking rude to use textspeak or leave your post full of typos, or worse, no paragraphs or full stops at all. It's a lack of thought or care for the people reading the post.

Not when you are very upset grocklebox, it's not rude if you can't see for tears.