I'm curious to know how many people are offended by the way people "talk" on Sheffield Forum. Is it something you totally ignore, do you think it's "kewl" to write in text-speak, or does it really annoy you?

Personally, I think the way people express themselves reflects on the message they are trying to get across, but I try not to be obsessive about it! People who can't use apostrophes do drive me mad though - I would actually go so far as to avoid buying an item from a shop that advertised "Video's 25% off" or something similar...

(should I include at least one deliberate typo?? :))

It doesn't bother me how people write or spell as long as you can read it without too much trouble.

As someone who's done some proof reading in the past, errors do tend to jump out at me ... they're noted, but they don't worry me unduly.

The one thing that gets my goat though, is people who criticise others for spelling and grammar and can't spell themselves! It does make me want to correct them, but I usually manage to stop myself ... :P

(anxiously scrutinises the post for errors, before pressing "submit")

Wish I'd seen this earlier...I've just been reet long winded about it on another thread

How many spelling Nazi' are there? :suspect:

Text speak wind's me up...things like r u? and l8r.. they bug me cumin is another one. thxs, gr8t!!!!!!!!!!

I hate them but can understand some of them on mobiles

But the worst one of them all is "I luv u" if some one actually loves you, wouldn't they go to that little bit of extra trouble and time to add 3 more letters!!!!

I was having this conversation with my father a few weeks ago, and we came to the conclusion that it's no wonder that English education levels are dropping, it's probably due to every kid you see having a mobile phone in their hand texting someone, and the internets not innocent either with lowercase only in most peoples e-mail addresses.

Spelling on the forum doesn't really bother me , we all make mistakes, but I do blame spell checkers for the decline in spelling!!

I don't think people should be criticised for typing/spelling errors - this will put people off posting replies. Just because a person may not be good at spelling or typing does not mean that they don't have worthwhile points to put forward. There are people who are dyslexic who are very intelligent people - having said that, this site is not dedicated to intelligent people - it is intended for people from all walks of life to discuss and put forward their points of view

Does someone's writing style matter? Have a look at this thread......."Is It Really Such A Capital Problem?"

Yikes!

Or, how about this opening post on the "Angry Kid, Mona Lisa" thread.....

"hiya,
Does any1 no where i can view the lastest animations 4 ya mobile but view em on ur comp?

I gt crazyfrog animation on my comp & want the ovas. Doesnt any1 no any ova funny pictures & tht stuff online?"

I recommend looking up this old thread, just for the laughs it gives. But be warned......it takes time to adjust to the text speak - but the effort is worth it!

English wrote good, here! ;)

Text speak winds me up - the poster comes across as 'illiterate' to me...
And CAP LOCK ON - Arghhh!

But I also have to acknowledge that my lack of apostrophes in the right place, and my problems with 'where' 'were' 'there' 'their' 'been' being' and similar words must make me look illiterate to many people on the forum.

I sort of hope I get away with it a bit by posting threads that are readable and understandable.

But rich951 your header 'Does someone's writing style matter? (especially on a forum like this) comes across to me as being dismissive of the forum.
What's wrong with a forum like this? :suspect: :)

Originally posted by redrobbo
Or, how about this opening post on the "Angry Kid, Mona Lisa" thread.....

"hiya,
Does any1 no where i can view the lastest animations 4 ya mobile but view em on ur comp?

I gt crazyfrog animation on my comp & want the ovas. Doesnt any1 no any ova funny pictures & tht stuff online?"

I recommend looking up this old thread, just for the laughs it gives. But be warned......it takes time to adjust to the text speak - but the effort is worth it!

We have someone here who is making absolutely no effort in spelling, i.e. using mobile phone text.

I think most of us agree that text speak is annoying but I personally believe there is a bigger problem in general here beyond text speak and that there are some people on here who feel that they have to correct another person spelling just for the sake of it and worst still, more often than not, they make a spelling error themselves in the process.

When this happens, I personally find this much more annoying than anything else as it occasionally throws the thread into an argument and counter argument about spelling neglecting the OP question in the process.

Originally posted by John
I think most of us agree that text speak is annoying but I personally believe there is a bigger problem in general here beyond text speak and that there are some people on here who feel that they have to correct another person spelling just for the sake of it and worst still, more often than not, they make a spelling error themselves in the process.

When this happens, I personally find this much more annoying than anything else as it occasionally throws the thread into an argument and counter argument about spelling neglecting the OP question in the process.

Absolutely agree with you John.

Oh, and by the way, that of course should be "another person's spelling" (not "person") :hihi:

Oh and could you use more commas.....you only managed 3 in this quote. :heyhey:

Now, to be serious though, I do agree with you. I don't myself get hung up on typographical errors, spelling mistakes, or poor grammar - as long as it is readable. But when the correctional spelling brigade get into their stride, the posts go off at a tangent, and the flow of the debate is interrupted.

I have no problems with text, or txt, as long as it is confined to mobile phones. It is inappropriate, in my opnion, on the forum.

Again I hate text speak! I find it so difficult to read, and I cannot work out what half the abbreviations actually mean. I think it is a lazy way of writing. I can understand why people might want to use it in text messages because of limited space and you have the cost to think about - but not an a forum like this! I find it takes me something like three or four times longer to read and understand a post in text speak - so much for abbreviating everything!

Originally posted by rich951
- I would actually go so far as to avoid buying an item from a shop that advertised "Video's 25% off" or something similar...



This is one thing that really gets up my back (I should I say get's up my back ([sic])?!

You go into a fruit shop and see the following sign:

'Apples and orange's 79p a Kilo.'

Now if the plural of apple is apples (note the lack of an apostrophe) then surely, that applies to oranges too!

Also, try: his and her's. Their's; your's. Aaaghghghg!!!!

But mighty moan is reserved for the possessive pronoun 'its', when it is written as 'it's'.

Pray, explain. Because a little bit of effort goes a long way.

In my opinion, 'text speak' should not be used on a Forum such as this. 'Text speak' (a mutually accepted method of abbreviating words) was designed to be used in conjunction with SMS (Short Message Service). Given that letters and words are not rationed on this Forum there really is no excuse or rationalisation for its continued use; more to the point it makes you look foolish and rather unintelligent.

Originally posted by Draggletail
But rich951 your header 'Does someone's writing style matter? (especially on a forum like this) comes across to me as being dismissive of the forum.
What's wrong with a forum like this? :suspect: :)
My apologies. It was a generic phrase and I'm not even sure why it was there, after all people don't really need to be told this is a forum! :)

One thing that amuses me (and I'd actually be interested to know the answer to) is that I often wonder why people with modern phones still use text speak - now that my last four phones have had predictive text it must be fairly common, and I'd find it much harder to talk like that!

It is often very easy to get the wrong end of the stick, with text speak or even very short messages in english, as they can easily be taken out of context. People are often too ready to use their own slang or personal favourite jargon, which can sound offensive to the casual listener.

The advantage of this forum is you can be as descriptive and verbose as you like, so it is a little pointless using text speak here.

Although it is obvious that some members are very poor spellers and maybe haven't used language much since school. But it is great that they can get over their opinions at last in text and have banter like this with other people, at arms length, without being too involved. A great privilage.

I notice that lots of people on this thread are now citing the "greengrocer's apostraphe" as a major crime, when this mistake has already passed into folklore, and even forgiven in the highest tiers of academe...

see my little web page about local shop sign mistakes :-



Sheffield Shop Mistakes (http://www.borracho.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/mizphelz/index.shtml)

Originally posted by rich951
One thing that amuses me (and I'd actually be interested to know the answer to) is that I often wonder why people with modern phones still use text speak - now that my last four phones have had predictive text it must be fairly common, and I'd find it much harder to talk like that!

Yes I've wondered about that as well. Maybe it's because you still need to be able to spell fairly well to use predictive text (unless they've started building common spelling mistakes into the dictionaries). Or maybe people write so many and such long texts that they need to save money by abbreviating them.

Originally posted by muddycoffee
I notice that lots of people on this thread are now citing the "greengrocer's apostraphe" as a major crime, when this mistake has already passed into folklore, and even forgiven in the highest tiers of academe...

see my little web page about local shop sign mistakes :-

Sheffield Shop Mistakes (http://www.borracho.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/mizphelz/index.shtml)
I wouldn't call it a major crime, it's just annoying because it's fairly easy to get right! By "greengrocer's apostraphe" are you talking about apostrophising (nice word, think I just made it up!) plurals? If so, can you tell me where it's been forgiven in academia, just so I can go and burn them down?? :)

Oh and my favourite shop sign (although of a different sort) is the shoe shop on West Street that advertises "HO REPAIRS"

I have a few friends who find predictive text systems unfathomable and not because they are poor spellers. Non technical people seem to have trouble with it.

My Daughter recently joined the Forum and did write like she was on a mobile and I did tell her she would get slated if she carried on.

I do prefer proper writing but don't get annoyed with mis spelling or bad grammer as my daughter is slightly dyslexic (probably spelt wrong) I am more interested in the content of what people write.

A funny thing with my daughter recently though, she sent me a text as usual it was hard to understand with bad spelling made even worse done in text speak, she is nearly 17 and told me not to worry she had gone out straight from work and gone to Holland with 4 mates!!! After having a frantic episode around the living room I realised she meant Hoyland. :loopy:

I agree, it's not worth getting wound up over most mistakes, which are accidental typos or general mistakes, but text speak does amuse me where people have to really go out of their way to do it! It just seems daft, innit.

;)

Originally posted by CaptainSwing
Yes I've wondered about that as well. Maybe it's because you still need to be able to spell fairly well to use predictive text (unless they've started building common spelling mistakes into the dictionaries). Or maybe people write so many and such long texts that they need to save money by abbreviating them.

Its the fact that you only have so many characters per text! I generally write them in full and then if its too long go back and delete characters as required. Thus, this sentence would become:

Its t fct tht u only av so mny chars pr txt!I gnrlly rite em in fll n thn if its 2 lng go bk n del chars as reqd.

Don't think thats such a sin. I do however hate it when people write like that all the time. Some simple abreviation is fair enough (though -> tho, because -> coz), but it gets a bit sad in its extreme.

I once knew somebody who had a master's degree in an arts subject but was convinced that "would of", "could of" etc. were correct English.

I cannot stand text speak, if anyone writes on anything such as a forum or in an email using text speak then I'll generally ignore it. I don't even use it when texting.

I think anyone found using text speak in a non SMS situation should have some fingers 'abbreviated'.

Originally posted by Lurch

I think anyone found using text speak in a non SMS situation should have some fingers 'abbreviated'.

Good idea Lurch ! :D

But what should we do with the sanctimonious b*ggers who can't resist pointing out someone's grammatical or spelling errors ?

24 hours in the sin bin ?, - or perhaps a five point deduction from their post count for each offence ?

Originally posted by muddycoffee
I notice that lots of people on this thread are now citing the "greengrocer's apostraphe" as a major crime,

Make that "apostrophe". ;)

Originally posted by t020
Make that "apostrophe". ;)

Make that 'apostrophe' ;)

Forgive me, Kathy....

Make that 'apostrophe'.

Touche, my lord!

(Before you start, I don't know how to get an accent on the 'e'!)

Relax....neither do I. I'm just pleased I can switch my computer on without it exploding.

Try AltGr+e giving é :)

As indicated by your signature, my lord?

Thanks for that rich! I like your picture by the way you look very happy.

Originally posted by kathythebean
Thanks for that rich! I like your picture by the way you look very happy.
Not sure if that's sarcasm or not, it's not the best photo of me! I would have hoped to look at least moderately happy though, that photo was taken on my honeymoon! ;)

I think that you look yummy Rich.

Originally posted by Greybeard
But what should we do with the sanctimonious b*ggers who can't resist pointing out someone's grammatical or spelling errors ?

24 hours in the sin bin ?, - or perhaps a five point deduction from their post count for each offence ?

And what about the sanctimonious lot who are obsessed with punctuation mistakes?

Oh and by the way Greybeard, can I just point out that a question mark completes a sentence. Thus your comma is superfluous, as is the hyphen. Hope you don't mind my drawing this to your attention.

:bigsmile: :wave:

Red

Take a look at your bookshelves, pick a few books out and look at the characters speech patterns, would they be believable if they were all grammatically correct? If they didn't use dialect? Would you have a sense of the characters age, personality or lifestyle. Make for dull reading, wouldn't it?
It's exactly the same here on the forum, people who get their spoken voice across make it more entertaining. What next? A campaign to get us all speaking BBC english!
Language has never been stuck in a time warp...now please excuse me, I'm late for my waltzing practise and I don't want to miss the lecture on transubstantiationalism in the catholic church

:help:

Originally posted by Splodge_CRB
Take a look at your bookshelves, pick a few books out and look at the characters speech patterns, would they be believable if they were all grammatically correct? If they didn't use dialect? Would you have a sense of the characters age, personality or lifestyle. Make for dull reading, wouldn't it?
It's exactly the same here on the forum, people who get their spoken voice across make it more entertaining. What next? A campaign to get us all speaking BBC english!
Language has never been stuck in a time warp...now please excuse me, I'm late for my waltzing practise and I don't want to miss the lecture on transubstantiationalism in the catholic church

:help:
Fair enough, I woudn't advocate everything being in perfect English and idiomatic language is fine and desirable, but on the other hand take down a few of those books and see How Many Are Written Like This, or hw mny u sw rtn lk ths? I'd like to see you read a 500 page novel in either of those forms! :)

I think it's important to at least try and write using accurate, grammatical english. It is, however, just as important to have something useful, interesting, thought-provoking, etc, etc, to say. The message tends to get lost if the medium is abused too much, however.

Posters need to at least make an effort when writing, or posts are simply too difficult to read. When I see something written in text speak I will either simply not read it or I will read it with the idea in my mind that the poster is not very intelligent. Those are things people ought to bear in mind when writing a post in text; it's effectively a waste of their time to write like that as it's not likely that they will be taken seriously. If you want people to make the effort to read what you've written then have some respect and at least try to write clearly.

As for spelling errors, typos or a bit of poor grammar, I don't find these a problem. Everyone suffers from typos, and we can't assume that just because someone does not have word perfect written English that they are unintelligent; they might have dyslexia or any of a number of difficulties which can cause them to make minor errors. And nobody is perfect. It's making an effort that counts. :)

Originally posted by kathythebean
Make that 'apostrophe' ;)

No, I insist - make it "apostrophe" (speech marks are the correct form of punctuation in this case since I was quoting what someone was *trying* to say).

Originally posted by t020
*trying*

And what, pray, are *these*, Brainiac?

Originally posted by LordSnooty
And what, pray, are *these*, Brainiac?

Emphasising asterisks - perfectly acceptable internet forum punctuation since it's much quicker than placing opening and closing bold font tags. ;)

Originally posted by t020
Emphasising asterisks - perfectly acceptable internet forum punctuation since it's much quicker than placing opening and closing bold font tags. ;) oh yeah, likely story numbnuts:D

Originally posted by t020
Emphasising asterisks

That's a pretty good name for a band, chisel chest.

Originally posted by LordSnooty
That's a pretty good name for a band, chisel chest.

As is Numbnuts! :o :D

StarSparkle

Originally posted by redrobbo
And what about the sanctimonious lot who are obsessed with punctuation mistakes?

Oh and by the way Greybeard, can I just point out that a question mark completes a sentence. Thus your comma is superfluous, as is the hyphen. Hope you don't mind my drawing this to your attention.

:bigsmile: :wave:

Red

Don't mind your doing so, but I was hoping to catch a bigger fish ;)

Originally posted by Greybeard
Good idea Lurch ! :D

But what should we do with the sanctimonious b*ggers who can't resist pointing out someone's grammatical or spelling errors ?

24 hours in the sin bin ?, - or perhaps a five point deduction from their post count for each offence ?

I reckon those who attach importance to the post count are even sadder than those who can't resist pointing out spelling mistakes.

What does it matter how many posts you've made? Is it some kind of badge of honour? Please explain.

Originally posted by LordSnooty
That's a pretty good name for a band, chisel chest.

It is, isn't it?

PS. Chisel chest? :confused: Have you been secretly ogling my pecs again? :hihi:

Originally posted by t020
No, I insist - make it "apostrophe" (speech marks are the correct form of punctuation in this case since I was quoting what someone was *trying* to say).

No, I *insist*, make it 'apostrophe' - you were neither directly quoting them (if you were *trying* to, then you *misquoted* them) nor *quoting* what they *said* since one hardly *says* things on a *typed* internet *forum*.

:hihi:

Originally posted by kathythebean
No, I *insist*, make it 'apostrophe' - you were neither directly quoting them (if you were *trying* to, then you *misquoted* them) nor *quoting* what they *said* since one hardly *says* things on a *typed* internet *forum*.

:hihi:

I was quoting what they had *tried* to write on the *typed* forum.

PS. Will be reading your posts particularly carefully in future. :hihi:

PPS. Seems you used speech marks in *exactly* the same way as I did - http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&postid=481726#post481726 (not to mention missing the apostrophe from "that's"). You were neither directly quoting the Sun nor *quoting* what they *said* since one hardly *says* things in a *typed* newspaper. :hihi:

i couldnt care less tbh.........although i dont like too much l337 speak or text speak cos i like to be able to understand it :P

myself i do get slagged off occasionly for missing out punctuation, thats mostly not that i cant punctuate but cos i spend that long on forums and irc, it takes too long to add .,' etc, i think its more important to spell right than add punctuation tbh, just my thing, takes less time per post :P

I can't stand text speak. really annoys me.

MOD: Please don't make abusive comments to other forumers

Originally posted by t020
It is, isn't it?

PS. Chisel chest? :confused: Have you been secretly ogling my pecs again? :hihi:

'Chisel chest' is, of course, a great compliment. No, I haven't been ogling your 'pecs' (though, to me, this means 'Picture Exchange Communication System'), I just know instinctively you have a chest like a chisel.

If I may add to the thread for a moment, I would suggest it is not a good idea to go 'nit-picking' too vigorously (unless you actually have nits) - none of us are immune from making mistakes. It's hard to believe, of course, but even I sometimes get things wrong. As I noted on another thread, it is possible to cut and paste this page into Word, run a spell check, then return the checked version back here. Ensuring correct grammar is more problematic; one must do one's best, and receive any subseqent 'corrections' in the spirit they are delivered.

I'm sure t020 doesn't feel 'abused' by this kind of banter; he has a thick skin and a sense of humour (and a flash motor). You're not offended are you, melon head?

Originally posted by LordSnooty

I'm sure t020 doesn't feel 'abused' by this kind of banter; he has a thick skin and a sense of humour (and a flash motor). You're not offended are you, melon head?

No, not by you - you must've missed miniminch's post before it got deleted - it was very abusive.

RE: spell check in MS Word - spell cheques can knot all ways cover up pour spelling! ;)

Maybe we should have another poll?

Title:Should this forum only be for people who got shiny gold stars at school?

Fifty people don't mind the odd typo?!
Five people are really annoyed when it's not perfect?!

Looks like you're in the majority, cos only eight people couldn't care less and twenty-three are happy if it's understandable.
Most of the threads I've seen with corrections are humorous wind-ups, even if they do annoy people for going off topic they're mostly good natured. Witness this thread...I said mostly good natured!
What I want to know is how many people have been put off posting on this forum again because one or two overly educated fools couldn't resist the opportunity to showcase their own superior knowledge. I've seen two corrections only that I considered were offensive so despite this poll they do seem to be in the minority.

I registered on here because it's a public forum. I like to read the different opinions, I especially like the difference in the styles of writing. I like that I can get all the gen in, on and around Sheffield. I love the humour and the silly games when you're bored. I love the fact that there's always someone else up at daft o'clock too.
All this and more as posted by a wide variety of people from all walks of life. So yeah, the writing style [I]does matter! Let it all stand.....lest the elitists turn it into monotonous drivel


*ps Plenty of faults in this post, pick on 'em if you like. I'll give you my Ann Robinson look though...

;)

Anyone else noticed that the vast majority of posters on this thread are people with a (reasonable) standard of written language ability?

Maybe that's because 'we' see it as a choice to write badly (because we choose not to) whereas those who post on the forum who customarily use poor grammar and spelling do so because they don't have a choice.

Maybe they're uncomfortable defending or debating their lack of education?

Or maybe they genuinely don't know that they're perceived as being less intelligent or illiterate by certain parties on here and frankly don't care even if they suspect it?




* ran this thru the spell check under the circs and ooh! Lo and behold! Two typos. Thank you Great God SC for saving me from smarty pants comments :D

** edit - who's going to start the 'smarty pants' punctuation mini thread then? Doh.

Originally posted by kathythebean
No, I *insist*, make it 'apostrophe' - you were neither directly quoting them (if you were *trying* to, then you *misquoted* them) nor *quoting* what they *said* since one hardly *says* things on a *typed* internet *forum*.

:hihi:

Yes, it would only be a single inverted comma around 'apostrophe'. Double are only used for direct speech.

I.e.: Fred claimed the programme was ''tripe''.

(And I cannot think of an example with single inverted commas).

Originally posted by Splodge_CRB
Ann Robinson look though...

;)

She's an Anne - ;) .

Originally posted by amhudson119
Yes, it would only be a single inverted comma around 'apostrophe'. Double are only used for direct speech.


Yes but I was directly quoting someone, albeit with a spelling correction, so I believe it would be speech marks.

Originally posted by t020
Yes but I was directly quoting someone, albeit with a spelling correction, so I believe it would be speech marks.

Cool!

:)

P.S: You forgot a comma after "yes", which should have gone prior to your reasoning on why 'apostrophe' is written in double quote marks!

:P :)

Originally posted by amhudson119
Cool!

:)

P.S: You forgot a comma after "yes", which should have gone prior to your reasoning on why 'apostrophe' is written in double quote marks!

:P :)

Your posts are often over-comma-ed (yes I did just make that word up!). :hihi:

writing styleeeeee ........... is not so important as INTENT.

Originally posted by amhudson119
She's an Anne - ;) .

So she is!

You get a shiny gold star!

Originally posted by t020
I was quoting what they had *tried* to write on the *typed* forum.

PS. Will be reading your posts particularly carefully in future. :hihi:

PPS. Seems you used speech marks in *exactly* the same way as I did - http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&postid=481726#post481726 (not to mention missing the apostrophe from "that's"). You were neither directly quoting the Sun nor *quoting* what they *said* since one hardly *says* things in a *typed* newspaper. :hihi:

t020 - for the first time since joining this forum I feel I may be warming to you :)

Just keep your eyes on your dictionary. You may have won the battle, my friend..

As long as I can understand it I have no problem however it is typed. As i said in the last thread about this, maybe it's the people that assume someone who types in text speak is stupid, are the stupid ones; you know what they say about looks being deceiving.

I tend to properly type my posts but I do speak in text speak in chat. I type that way by choice and I actually think they way I type is quite easy to understand as it is mostly only vowels I miss out, not just random letters!

I think it is harsh to judge someone by their lack of correct punctuation. I am not stupid, we were just never taught any grammer! I didn't know what an adjective was until I got into 6th form....considering I went to a pretty good school I don't think they would be pleased with that, I may ring them and tell them!

Originally posted by CherryNicole


I am not stupid, we were just never taught any grammer!

Or spelling? (grammar, not grammer). :hihi:

(Sorry CherryNicole, just couldn't resist the temptation! - Red).

gggrrr red. In that case I take it all back, maybe I am stupid, I thank you for pointing it out!

As long as the person gets their point across without being abusive etc then why should it matter? really annoys me when people criticise on account of spelling, punctuation etc - comes across as really patronising and even elitist. Surprising how many Wordsmiths we have on 'ere, like.

Originally posted by Bedhead
As long as the person gets their point across without being abusive etc then why should it matter? really annoys me when people criticise on account of spelling, punctuation etc - comes across as really patronising and even elitist. Surprising how many Wordsmiths we have on 'ere, like.

I CAN come over in that way but I don't see why we can't at least try to get a reasonable standard of spelling and punctuation on threads. I know that I sound a total snob when I say this, but if a posting is formatted well, has reasonable use of punctuation and shows some care has been taken with spelling then I'm more likely to read the post.

If it looks like someone has tried to write a ransom note on their PC and has failed, then I'm not likely to waste my time trying to make sense of gibberish.

Joe

Originally posted by JoePritchard
I CAN come over in that way but I don't see why we can't at least try to get a reasonable standard of spelling and punctuation on threads. I know that I sound a total snob when I say this, but if a posting is formatted well, has reasonable use of punctuation and shows some care has been taken with spelling then I'm more likely to read the post.

If it looks like someone has tried to write a ransom note on their PC and has failed, then I'm not likely to waste my time trying to make sense of gibberish.

Joe

Depends how you define a 'reasonable' standard. I used a clause - 'a person that gets there point across' - you go on to quailfy what you consider acceptable - the construction and context of a sentence essentially, including punctuation. If it sits poorly with you then, you won't read it?

I go out and seek community views on large development proposals - often from the less articulate but the views of these people are no less valid than persons more equipped to put forward a coherent argument - i'm obliged to listen to everyone in order to gain a consensus and as long as the person isn't abusive, i'll note it. But the principle exists, just because someone sounds/reads as daft, they aren't, necessarily but so what if they are - they can still make valid points!

Originally posted by Bedhead
Depends how you define a 'reasonable' standard. I used a clause - 'a person that gets there point across' - you go on to quailfy what you consider acceptable - the construction and context of a sentence essentially, including punctuation. If it sits poorly with you then, you won't read it?

I go out and seek community views on large development proposals - often from the less articulate but the views of these people are no less valid than persons more equipped to put forward a coherent argument - i'm obliged to listen to everyone in order to gain a consensus and as long as the person isn't abusive, i'll note it. But the principle exists, just because someone sounds/reads as daft, they aren't, necessarily but so what if they are - they can still make valid points!

Have to agree with this, much as I far prefer to read 'correct' English creatively and thoughtfully expressed.

It is clearly discriminatory to judge a person's views on their written ability as such discrimination can adversely affect a significant proportion of the population - the less well-educated, the less intelligent, those with learning disabilities or handicapped in such a way that written communication is difficult and also people for whom English is not a first language.

However, we all make judgements based on each other's written ability, the same as we do on each other's physical appearance or manner of speaking, as we do the size of the car, the look of the kids, the area in which we live, the beer that we drink or the holidays we take.

C'est la vie!