to think non English people should be welcome here

[spegal]

English isnt my first language and sometimes my grammar isn't perfect, but everyone understands what I'm saying.

But still so many people on here send nasty messages calling me stupid, a pleb and increadably dim.

Why do people feel the need to throw personal insults just for minor grammar errors?

I have said it before and I will say it again. I think it is potentially racist to call out someone's grammar or spelling.

You can say it as many times as you like. It's still rubbish.

I have said it before and I will say it again. I think it is potentially racist to call out someone's grammar or spelling.

Bollocks. And I was at least two of those comments. I never do it on a thread where someone is in trouble or distressed, but if you're going to show off about your incredible gifts to society, your not one, but two degrees, in a boorish and childish manner, then yes, I will say something about sentence construction, spelling and grammar.

dawn - the OP does sound an absolutely person doesn't she, one wonders in fact why she chooses to grace MN with her presence as she obviously knows all the answers and doesn't take criticism or advice well AT ALL.

I've met some (not many actually) difficult MNers here but this one really takes the here for being an absolute PITA.

sorry absolutely WONDERFUL!

I think calling anyone out on their spelling or grammar is rude, unkind, unnecessary and says far more about the "corrector" than it does about the poster who made the error but it's not racist. There are plenty of native English speakers whose grammar isn't great.

That said, some posters do kind of invite a rude response...

I don't understand why anybody feels the need to comment on a posters grammar or spelling. This is a public forum not a copy edited website.

If you find it hard to read, don't read it but the grammar comments always have an undertone of superiority and snideness that is pretty hard to take. The motivation appears negative as opposed to genuinely helpful.

And yes, people never stop to consider that the poster might be writing in their second (or third) language which may well be one more language than those criticising them can communicate in.

I find that most posters only call someone out on their spelling/grammar if that person is also being an irritating knob.

And of course it's not racist. There are plenty of semi-literate native-English-speaking Caucasians, as we all know.

(Note: I did say most posters. To be fair, some do it just to be snotty and nasty. No sympathy there.)

I have said it before and I will say it again. I think it is potentially racist to call out someone's grammar or spelling.

Isn't it time for an eye-roll emoticon?

Spegal Just agree with the consensus, nobody will call your grammar or spelling .

Right you have had your warning cease- fire over.

Actually OP you were not called a pleb on the thread, you have taken it out of context. The posters said 'plebs like us'.

However if these name calls have been done via PM then report them as that is not the done thing.

I'd agree with the call for an eye roll emoticon

Why start a thread about a thread - how can those of us who didn't see it, comment about it ?

Commenting only on your title, I'd say everyone is welcome here - it helps if you are talking about a system (say schooling) in a country that isn't England, that you mention it's that country, but apart from that I have no idea of the cultural mix of posters, but often read posts where people do refer to where they are from, and they don't ever get treated differently because of it.

You're just a bit goady aren't you, OP.

All your threads are designed to get a reaction, including this one.

I'm not British, and my first language is not English, but I feel welcome here. No probs.

So, it's you.

I have said it before and I will say it again. I think it is potentially racist to call out someone's grammar or spelling.

Saying anything ever is potentially racist. Depends if the person saying it is a racist or not really.

I can see why op wants it to be about nationality - it means she cant help it, and she can be playing "victim" rather than look at her own attitude.

FWIW, I am a forriner. I dont always write correct grammar, and sometimes my spelling spellchecker wrecks havoc with my paragraphs, and if I am given attitude, it is for my opinions, not my nationality, or grammar or spelling.

I hate the "Oh, it is because I am a man/woman//foreigner/doglover/homeowner/renter" yadda yadda excuses on here.

No dear. It wasn't your grammar. It was everything else. I read somewhere there's about 4mill users. If you think all are native English your blatantly very silly.

Nobody sent you a message calling you a pleb. A poster on the "office work" thread suggested that as you hadn't achieved a lifestyle which suited you best, you might just be a pleb like the rest of us.

It was a tongue in cheek comment.