Why are so many people semi-literate?

Stringy · 2 Sep 2010 at 20:18

People aren't more stupid, and the average english ability probably hasn't gone down. It is probably just that as the proliferation of internet access and computers has increased, so has the amount of people with 'semi-literate' english posting online. This in turn creates the illusion that english is getting worse. Add into this the increased speed that people are now living their lives, with communication mediums at the fingertips, and you're bound to get a hot bed of people creating their own brand of shorthand writing. Welcome to the evolution of language.

Either that or as your life has gone on you've been exposed to people other than your high horse riding self and you're all 'omgz' over the fact that not everybody is amazing at english. Get over it.

edit: Oh, and 'Obvious troll is obvious'

Pixel · 2 Sep 2010 at 20:19

There's a special place in hell reserved for people who use "could have/should have".

jp_bl_68 · 2 Sep 2010 at 20:20

simulatorman said:
Tis a language I didn't get taught at school.

I'll teach you. Whenever someone speaks to you in this language you respond with one of the following depending on the situation you happen to find yourself in:

- Yes, I do want fries with that.
- Sorry, I don't have any spare change.
- Get the hell away from me.
- Take whatever you want just don't cut me!!!

int · 2 Sep 2010 at 20:22

I guess these days there isn't enough to be put up on a pedal stool.

Rroff · 2 Sep 2010 at 20:24

I never had a proper English education... I left school not really knowing what verbs, nouns, etc. are let alone any real idea of punctuation and grammar... and that wasn't down to me not paying attention in lessons - mostly due to the conservatives playing with the curriculum back in the 80s introducing more vocational stuff at the expense of core lessons.

Stringy · 2 Sep 2010 at 20:24

shurely u carnt b srs?

mufc802 · 2 Sep 2010 at 20:26

Rroff said:
I never had a proper English education... I left school not really knowing what verbs, nouns, etc. are let alone any real idea of punctuation and grammar... and that wasn't down to me not paying attention in lessons - mostly due to the conservatives playing with the curriculum back in the 80s introducing more vocational stuff at the expense of core lessons.

I still keep forgetting what a noun and verb is, makes no difference when you write something because you don't think, hmm should I use a verb in the next sentence do you?

Castiel · 2 Sep 2010 at 20:33

Milkybk said:
This has to be a troll thread. Either that or the OP is as retarded as certain Mensa members..

Mensa do not accept retards, as you would need to have an IQ score of under 70 to be assess mentally retarded.

Cosimo · 2 Sep 2010 at 20:35

Castiel said:
Mensa do not accepted retards, as you would need to have an IQ score of under 70 to be assess metally retarded.

Time we had a GD IQ test.

Tefal · 2 Sep 2010 at 20:36

Because you're no doubt judging this from text messages, posts of forums or face book.

Aside from letters which have always been semi formal, written language has never been used for conversation (especially real time conversation) on the level it is today. So written language has changed to include it's own forms of slang. I'm willing to bet you don't speak will perfect grammar and pronunciation when talking to your mates, these days you can't hold written language (when used in these circumstances) to a different standard to speech.

Also keyboards have an effect on it as it's easy to press a wrong button but more difficult to write the wrong letter by hand.

Castiel · 2 Sep 2010 at 20:37

simulatorman said:
Time we had a GD IQ test.

Looking at my spelling, I'd be at a distinct disadvantage.

Nexus · 2 Sep 2010 at 20:39

Personally, I'd say a lot of it is down to technology and lifestyle.

I did quite well in English back in school and took it as an A-Level.
These days though, I find I can be typing stuff and my spelling will be way off, or I will have made mistakes in sentences. I think a lot of it is down to the fact that we rely on spell checkers, so there is little need to bother learning how to spell some words correctly.

Also, I spend very little time reading books these days.
I've noticed that my friends who are big time readers are probably the most literate of people I know. I think that's probably a reflection of how society spends more time consuming other media, such as Television/Films/Games etc, which don't expand your knowledge of words, grammar and literacy.

Infact, I'd say it's fair to say that the best I've ever been at writing and understanding of it will be back when I was in school.

Castiel · 2 Sep 2010 at 20:39

Milkybk said:
I do believe one slipped through the net! We've proved this in his "I'm snarter than you thread"!

Indeed, I do find it difficult to believe. Maybe he's autistic or something.

Castiel · 2 Sep 2010 at 20:42

Nexus said:
Personally, I'd say a lot of it is down to technology and lifestyle.

I did quite well in English back in school and took it was an A-Level.
These days though, I find I can be typing stuff and my spelling will be way off, or I will have made mistakes in sentences. I think a lot of it is down to the fact that we rely on spell checkers, so there is little need to bother learning how to spell some words correctly.

Also, I spend very little time reading books these days.
I've noticed that my friends who are big time readers are probably the most literate of people I know. I think that's probably a reflection of how society spends more time consuming other media, such as Television/Films/Games etc, which don't expand your knowledge of words, grammar and literacy.

Infact, I'd say it's fair to say that the best I've ever been at writing and understanding of it will be back when I was in school.

I never use a spell check (too lazy). I generally type like a madman, post, reread, slap my forehead, edit spelling, post, reread, slap some more, edit po....you get the idea.

Probably be quicker and easier to use a spell checker.

Spec me a spell checker?

Tefal · 2 Sep 2010 at 20:43

Castiel said:
I never use a spell check (too lazy). I generally type like a madman, post, reread, slap my forehead, edit spelling, post, reread, slap some more, edit po....you get the idea.

Probably be quicker and easier to use a spell checker.

Spec me a spell checker?

Use firefox?

Google firefox spell checker

Bri · 2 Sep 2010 at 20:43

AcidHell2 said:
because it is so easy,

Some of us have spent our entire school lifes having extra tuition and help and still can't grasp languages.

It's 'lives'.

Only kidding, I interpreted the thread to be based around text speak, ghetto language etc, not the odd typo.

Castiel · 2 Sep 2010 at 20:50

Tefal said:
Use firefox?

Google firefox spell checker

Thanks. I never thought of that.

fez · 2 Sep 2010 at 20:54

It is just laziness, everyone learns to write at school. Sorry, I should phrase that in a better way. Everyone has the chance to learn to read, write and spell at school but a lot just cant be bothered because there is more fun to be had by mucking about.

There is little in the way of punishment for anything in this life any more. If you dont want to learn you can just breeze your way through school and sign on.

Its not tricky to learn how to spell. You do not need to know what all the terminology related to grammer and spelling is. As mentioned, you never ever think about putting a noun in the next sentence, you just write.

We should run the american system of holding people back in school if they can't be bothered to ever try to become literate.

Oh and please can people stop writing pedal stool. It just makes you look like a 'tard.