Isn’t it time to stop mocking people with poor literacy?

[RickiTarr]

It’s a whole genre and it’s not really on these days is it? If it ever was?

Another one running currently. It’s a terrible look @MNHQ

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4192831-I-know-we-all-love-a-Chester-drawers-but-I-have-one-better#prettyPhoto

Hi OP

Thanks for raising this - we're taking a look now.

Wow that was fast.

Thank you @LilyMumsnet

Normally I'd be the first to agree as I think the snobbery around grammar and spelling on MN can be awful, and no doubt puts a lot of people off posting their problems.

But I don't see how that thread could be taken personally by anyone, as I don't think I've ever met anyone who hasn't at least heard one thing wrong, or misunderstood what something's actually called.

Most of us can laugh about it and ourselves.

I’m not sure anyone relevant needs to see it and take offence for it to be wrong to be mocking them @WorraLiberty .

Also I’m not sure I agree that it’s targeting people just like the average MNer and we’ve all made those mistakes. We haven’t. Most of us here are much more fortunate than to have the issues, experiences etc that cause those errors.

I think those that criticise are never perfect, invariably if some smug smart arse starts a thread about others grammar and spelling that makes their teeth itch they make a mistake in their opening or subsequent posts themselves
Pot and Kettle, and as I said nobody is perfect!

Nobody is mocking anyone.
They are funny spellings and misprounouciations.
I left school with nothing, but improved myself, I'm not offended.
Some people have even said it could be mis hearing, or even from tech devices.
Chill out.

I agree.
We need to encourage people to share their issues or concerns. Mocking , pointing out and criticising errors just puts people off from posting on here or other platforms.
It's easy to get irritated by something you find easy. Lucky them for not having dyslexia , having a decent education or a supportive family life when they were young. Not all are so lucky.
I feel any comment pointing out a mistake for no purpose than criticising or threads dedicated to it should be pulled.
It is more of a reflection on them than the people they are bullish towards.

Lucky them for not having dyslexia , having a decent education or a supportive family life when they were young. Not all are so lucky.

Yes exactly. Well said.

Recently I was puzzled by what I saw as silly spellings and “bizarre” posting style and nearly commented on it. However, thankfully I checked a profile to find that the username belonged to a young woman with Down’s Syndrome. I felt so horrible at being so judgemental. It really gave me food for thought about how many times some of these comments are making fun or being short tempered/judgemental about users whose backgrounds just haven’t been as privileged as ours for whatever reason. I’m still really ashamed of myself. I won’t post on such threads since. Yes these spellings and misunderstanding can be amusing or irritating but who are we laughing at or being mean about really?

But what would people be smug about?!

I don’t need to chill out @Devlesko

I’m perfectly chilled, just expressing an opinion.

There are plenty of serious threads, nobody is mocking anyone. It has nothing to do with dyslexics, I'm dyslexic and have a low IQ, I check if I don't know the word or spelling.
But nobody has even commented on the standard of people's education.
Fair enough policing grammar on threads is out of order, but this isn't like that, at all. If you don't like it, move on.

@Okbussitout

But what would people be smug about?!

Quite. 🙄

Yes it’s annoying , people sharing personal stories or making a valid point about something -

Then get sniped at for writing the wrong type of your or something . Snooze .

I agree @RickiTarr

Your points are valid. I really dislike that real FB etc posts, in some instances, have been used.

Absolutely agree. At work, I have to ensure high standards of drafting. But we make allowances where staff have dyslexia etc., and I help and support those who find spelling and grammar difficult. Make fun of them? Never.

It’s awful when I see these kinds of posts on here. Mocking people for this is just awful.

That being said, I don’t think they should be banned, as people are free to express their opinions. I just don’t have to like them very much.

I was a bit at all the sneering on that thread that someone didn't know how to spell a fancy champagne and tbh I had never heard of it and wouldn't know how to spell it either.

Smug twats.

@EarringsandLipstick

I agree *@RickiTarr*

Your points are valid. I really dislike that real FB etc posts, in some instances, have been used.

Yes a couple more screenshots from FB in the last few minutes. To show us the “hilarious” way some people misspell “vase” and “binoculars”.

There is also the added element to this that many of these ads for low value items have been placed on FB (and are therefore available for mockery), because people are in dire financial straits and in need of a few quid quickly.

Little do they know their adverts are being shared here for everybody to laugh at their literacy.

Lovely behaviour, even worse in a recession.

Thank you for all the supportive or otherwise thoughtful posts.

You never know when you post on Sitestuff whether you’re about to be pulled to pieces.

I do think that poster who comment on a thread just to pick at someone’s spelling and grammar should have their posts deleted as “not in the spirit”.

Nothing worse than some poor poster spilling their guts about their problems only for some dick to come on just to post “HAVE HAVE HAVE”

@SnarkyBag

I do think that poster who comment on a thread just to pick at someone’s spelling and grammar should have their posts deleted as “not in the spirit”.

Nothing worse than some poor poster spilling their guts about their problems only for some dick to come on just to post “HAVE HAVE HAVE”

Yes.

That and banning - via talk guidelines - screenshots from FB or “screenshots for purposes of mockery” would make a world of difference.

Mocking NetMums is already not allowed as policy.

Linking to crowdfunding, also against policy.

Promoting other chat forums, ditto.

So there are different approaches that MNHQ could take to stop or reduce it.

There is also the added element to this that many of these ads for low value items have been placed on FB (and are therefore available for mockery), because people are in dire financial straits and in need of a few quid quickly.

Little do they know their adverts are being shared here for everybody to laugh at their literacy.

This is excellently put Ricki 👏👏👏

I hope MNHQ take it on board.

@SnarkyBag

I do think that poster who comment on a thread just to pick at someone’s spelling and grammar should have their posts deleted as “not in the spirit”.

Nothing worse than some poor poster spilling their guts about their problems only for some dick to come on just to post “HAVE HAVE HAVE”

I absolutely agree with this. My spelling and grammar are bad enough when I'm just randomly commenting, it must be shit when you have a real problem and people just take the piss.

I absolutely agree. It's a strange situation when so many people on here claim to care about poverty and those who are disadvantaged, yet pull to pieces posters who clearly aren't as educated as themselves.
It's extremely crass to criticise someone's spelling or grammar. It's a shame #bekind apparently only applies to celebrities.

The latest screengrab on that thread is of someone having difficulty spelling “Laura Ashley”.

Why would they find that funny? Can any of them explain what the joke is?

Is it just that people with imperfect English are inherently funny? Do they mock immigrants in the street? Did they bully dyslexics at school?

I’m just