To not believe in policing spelling and grammar?

[Ethelfleda]

I used to, I admit.
But now - I think it shows a fundamental lack of understanding of how language evolves and changes.
Language is not mine to own and tell others how to use!
I feel that the onus is on me, as the receiver of words, to understand what someone is saying - rather than the onus being on the person who is delivering it - to make themselves understood. Why cut the legs out from someone who wants to put their thoughts out there, by belittling them, when they just want to put their equally important views out for all to see?

Show me a person who ‘misuses’ reflexive pronouns. Who ends an email with ‘please do not hesitate to contact myself should you require further information’ and I will show you someone who is attempting to compose an email with absolute respect for the recipient. Not someone who is ‘incorrect’ with their grammatical structures.

So - go fourth! Use language as you see fit! It is wonderful and inimitable and it is YOURS! And I promise, I will always understand your message!

This post is probably written completely wrong. But please, dear reader, reach behind the order that I put the words in and try to understand the sentiment. And speak in return however you see fit.

I love words.

You don't need to police it but people need to be aware that if their writing is poorly written, others may decide to move past it, in favour of something easier to decipher. I am far from perfect but some people's work is illegible.

I’ll go second (or whenever this post appears) and say that on the whole, I agree with you. But I do hate the misuse of reflexive pronouns. It’s rarely about respect and usually about self-importance.

Show me a person who ‘misuses’ reflexive pronouns. Who ends an email with ‘please do not hesitate to contact myself should you require further information’ and I will show you someone who is attempting to compose an email with absolute respect for the recipient. Not someone who is ‘incorrect’ with their grammatical structures.

All that shows me is someone who has not learned about reflexive pronouns and thinks that using "myself" makes them sound more formal.

It’s “go forth” not “go fourth”

Yes
YABU

It’s “go forth” not “go fourth”

Touché
But you got what I was trying to say, surely?

Yes, I was wondering who the other three were I wasn't.

All that shows me is someone who has not learned about reflexive pronouns and thinks that using "myself" makes them sound more formal

But that’s kind of my point. They think it sounds more formal - and they are making an effort to sound that way for a reason, surely? For a good reason?

YABU. This is not the evolution of language, it's, just like you said, poor spelling and grammar.

I promise, I will always understand your message!

That’s highly optimistic.

I don’t like grammar bullies but I think words matter and completely disagree that “myself” is necessarily done with respect? How can you possibly state that? “Myself” is usually used to convey disproportionate self importance and makes my teeth itch.

Yes OP and English is my third language. I don’t think you really love words or language at all. If you did, you would have taken the time and effort to learn the words and the structure and beauty of the language.

I don't police, don't correct, and don't care about every grammar rule being followed. None of us are perfect.

However, it saddens me that basic knowledge, such as knowing which 'their' to use or the difference between 'effect' and 'affect' or spelling errors like 'boarders' instead of 'borders', is disappearing. I've seen these used incorrectly on forums and Facebook more often than I've seen them used correctly. They're big mistakes that change the context of the sentence. Sometimes, the text is so poorly written I can't understand what people are trying to say.

We're in a competitive world and a basic understanding of the words and grammar of our own language is imperative to being competitive in this global economy. The less we care, the less education & opportunities we'll have in the future.

LOL!

I think you make fair points. There are many people with poor grammar and spelling but unless we know the circumstances behind it perhaps we ought to judge less and listen more?

That's great, but back in the real world, you will need to use correct, standard grammar at least some of the time if you want to be taken seriously and/or convey an unambiguous or accurate message.

On Mumsnet threads, as long as something is comprehensible, I’m inclined to let it go. People start these threads for interaction, advice, and support, and if all you can contribute to the discussion is a snarky comment about poor spelling or grammar then you’re helping nobody and potentially derailing the thread. Telling someone that they’ve used the wrong ‘their’ is petty and suggests two things; firstly, you don’t have the wit to engage with the meaning of the post, and secondly, that you feel the need to put other people down in order to make yourself feel good. Neither is a attractive or engaging quality.

I do roll my eyes a bit when people gleefully point out spelling and grammar errors to put someone down or somehow minimise their point to feel superior. I think some people think it’s a personality trait.

I don’t think anyone needs to correct spelling/grammatical errors online; it makes the corrector look like a twat. Generally though, I think correct expression is an advantage to anyone trying to make a convincing point.

The issue I have is when you genuinely can’t understand what is being said.

I’ve often read a poorly written piece and literally not been sure what the point/question is.

There’s no need to be a douche and point every error out, but I think grammar is important, more so than spelling.

I agree SO MUCH. Language evolves and we should be able to be flexible with it.

This has bothered me for a while now.

I have total respect for each and every one of your points. And this is one of the reasons I love MN - you care about language enough to debate about it.
My use of language is not perfect. Far from it as you can tell. But the fact that you understand me enough to engage is good enough for me.
Plus - I have had wine

Sometimes when l am teaching dd about gps, l think what is the point, phones and computers etc just change spelling mistakes anyway so why do they need to fill their heads with stuff like that. But the voice in my head always comments on wrong spellings etc and at work, l am regularly asked to proof read letters before they are posted.

Totally agree with everyone on here except the OP 🙊

Bloody hell. I will resign instantly.

English teaching is no more.

I have learned loads from reading the posts that have corrected other people's spelling and grammar.

Over the years it has helped me to read and write better.
I do think at times people can be a bit pedantic about it though, especially on social media platforms.
Most people just want to get their point across and most of the time it's easy to get the gist of what they are saying.

It's not like this is a job application or a letter to the queen.

Ah! The thread had lots of posts in between since I wrote that