Quote from tink;319941:
i don't believe you need to type everything out and perfect your punctuation to sound smart or to make a point
i used to be like that when i was 13/14? stopped caring about it long ago and i'm glad i did. i know when perfect grammar is essential and it certainly isn't on a measly forum or IM chat
And this is a perfect example of showing disrespect to your audience.
Quote from TinyMo;320283:
I've always felt that people who point out grammar mistakes are trying to look smart and make the other person look stupid. It seems to happen a lot in threads where people get angry at someone for not seeing their point. The parties then just start going at each other to see who knows more about grammar. That's just the feel I get. From reading this thread I see it's not always the case though.
The only thing that gets me is when people use there, their, and they're incorrectly.
Personally, I would just like to know when I use the semicolon incorrectly. That guy bugs the crap out of me. Sometimes I feel like I need to use it, but I have no clue if it's right or not.
Add to that list "your" and "you're" that happens all the time too. Semicolons are kinda tricky for me as well. I think they're something you just sort of have to get a feel for how to use.
Quote from gentrone;319851:
I'm a Wall of Text Nazi.
I think people should be able to say more using less words. If your have a lot of things to say, at least make an outline so people can get a general idea of what you're trying to say. I used to think people had to to take the time to read my stuff thoroughly but then I realized I could reach a bigger audience if I made things clear. If that isn't enough evidence to support my theory, you should take into account that people get bored easily and the only reason you're writing down your ideas is to persuade others or discuss a topic.
However, I did read your post and I must say that I almost completely agree with you. You see, if people communicate one way or another shouldn't be an issue as long as they understand each other.
If they have the same mentality, then there is nothing wrong, right? I mean, communication is achieved.
Also, I think people should stop saying grammar=syntax. They are different things.
Some things cannot be adequately described or communicated briefly. Some ideas are complex, and others are descibed better when you expand on things.
"I saw a car."
"I saw a car driving down the road."
"I saw a red '57 chevy driving down the road doing 45mph; it had awesome flames painted on the hood and fenders. It looked exactly like my favorite Hot Wheels car from when I was a little girl."
See my point?
Also, if they are the same mentality... that means the speaker and audience are both lazy. Misunderstandings are
far more likely to occur. I am picturing two couples: one is well educated, well spoken, and mature. They have a disagreement, talk about it, and come to a resolution. The other pair is uneducated trailer park trash. They go on Jerry Springer and one throws a chair at the other.
Quote from Arsik;319958:
Eh, I still don't see the point of having to get on people's cases over grammar mistakes on the internet. It's not like you guys are all English teachers or something, right? As the OP said, people make mistakes, and yes, while telling them nicely will help them learn from their mistakes, taking your time to only comment on their mistakes, on the internet, will probably make them think you are just trolling them, which can cause unnecessary drama. Especially if the person that's making the errors isn't a native English speaker. When I first played MapleStory, I signed up for MapleSEA, thinking it was the North American servers, because it was in English. So my sister and I are going through Maple Island when some guy talked to us (more specifically my sister), and my sister went all Grammar Nazi on him, telling him that she's only interested in people that can speak perfect English. I felt bad for the guy, even though he was flirting with my sister over some pixels, and then the next day, I found out that MapleSEA was for South East Asia, and I told my sister, who immediately felt really bad about it. So you do have to take into consideration the upbringing of a person before you become a Grammar Nazi to them.
To me, as long as I can understand the person, then they're fine. ifgteytak eleidis.nnuperdsatendsentce (If they talk like this. And they don't have a period at the end of their sentences), then I get on their case about it, nicely though, because I'd rather not have them win a flame war by having my eyeballs explode out of their sockets. Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy pointing out small mistakes my friends make though, because what's wrong with a little teasing, especially when they said something, but it came out completely different? But taking your time on internet forums/blogs where people are there casually, only to point out grammatical mistakes doesn't really make sense to me.
The point, to me, is to try to find others who do actually care about communication. If the other person is hostile... well I probably wouldn't enjoy conversing with them anyway. If they are receptive to my help, and give me help in return, we can both grow from the experience.
And we may even understand each other more easily.
Quote from Zelfa;320039:
Your idea of sugar coating the euphemism isnt going to do a thang your still a grammar nazi as you proudly admit.
I use 133T speak(and im over the age of 17) yet I know how to type good sentences too. I think people just need too loosen up and not worry about words most understand anyways.this go for street slang too.
You make me very sad.
Quote from Whyrainfalls;320247:
I dislike it when people harp over grammar. Some people just plain don't know better. I certainly wouldn't want anyone making fun of my terrible chinese grammar.
Because of this, I especially dislike people who equate good grammar with intelligence, and bad grammar with stupidity.
As far as I'm concerned, language is just a method for two people to understand each other. As long as they understand each other, mission accomplished. Who cares how it was done?
If someone knows how to type or speak properly, and chooses to do it improperly then I consider them rude. If someone doesn't know how to do so properly, then I try to help them. I have a teacher mentality. It isn't so much that I consider someone stupid if they don't use very good spelling/grammar/syntax, but someone does sound a lot more eloquent and articulate, and there is certainly some degree of associating articulate people with education and with intelligence. Excessive use of slang tends to bring the image of an uneducated person living on the streets. Of the two, I personally would much rather hang out with someone educated, as I can learn much more from them and have a much more enjoyable time with them.
As for who cares how it is done... agreed. But with the caveat you mention yourself: as long as people understand each other. My point is that people
don't understand each other all that often at all. However if people were to more readily accept and use proper language, the likelihood of people reaching that coveted state of understanding each other increases dramatically.