Sorting out the idiots.

[rogerthomas]

There has been much said on here about correct grammar. Two points need to be made.

1. Some people's grammar is so bad that they display a complete ignorance of the English language. It has been said that it is more important what a person says, rather than how they write it. WRONG.

If you post an answer on this forum that is riddled with grammatical errors and spelling mistakes, then you are obviously not an intelligent person. How, therefore, can I expect your answer to be accurate.

2. There is a certain amount of divine intervention in the English language. Certain words have similar spellings but have very different meanings. Examples include, stationary and stationery, their, there and they're, principal and principle. I firmly believe that these words were sent to sort out the idiots from the intelligent.

[Ward-Minter]

First paragraph, shouldn't there be a colon at the end signifying the forthcoming list?

Second paragraph, methinks the word "obviously" should be replaced with "clearly".

Overall, you appear to be addressing 'people' rather than a particular individual. Therefore, I believe you meant to write "answers" as opposed to a singular "answer" in your third paragraph.

I maybe wrong but am intrigued as to what exactly your point is. Life is two short too be bovered.

[noxlumos]

If you're interested in sorting out the idiots, you might like to try posting this in the correct catagory because it's sure as hell not news.

[druiaghtagh]

Oh dear Rogerthomas, you have stirred up a bit of anger here. Just because people do not have a good grasp of grammar and the ability to spell correctly does not preclude them from giving a correct answer. I'm sure you can probably point out grammatical errors in my answer, but do you know what, i am at an age where i do not give a monkeys !

[druiaghtagh]

Ps, maybe you were just up a little late?

[Trojanfarce]

I'm having a little difficulty with the 'divine intervention' aspect of this (and of course the fact that you seem to be more than a little intolerant of people's shortcomings). When I initially came across AB, there was no mention of the fact that I had to be a certain intellect level to join and had there been, I probably would have steered clear because that kind of snobbery I can do without.

And why attack people's grammar? Mine's a lovely old dear who just likes to live a quiet and peaceful life with the occassional sherry. Durin' the war............

[Oneeyedvic]

I think that this is one of the best questions (with the best answers) I have seen in a long time. Lets hope that AbEd doesn't ban in.

It has kept me chortling for ages.

[ludwig]

It's hard to tell if you're being serious or not. All sorts of people use this site, including those whose first language isn't english, and also children. I'd like to think my 11 yr old daughter could ask a question on here without being branded an idiot by some curmudgeonly old fart for using 'there' instead of 'their'.

[bobjim1705]

How about those people who don't speak English as their first language? Are they meant to be able to write perfectly too?

You can't assume that the .co.uk suffix of the site means that all ABers are English.

In fact, some ABers, despite not speaking English as a first language, manage to post questions or reply with answers that are above the standard grammatical ability of the average native English speaker - this in itself amazes me, since I can't even begin to hope to post such a coherent response in another language.

Their, there, they're, stationary, stationery; I believe these words have been sent to sort out the people who have too much spare time on their hands from those who have less trivial matters to deal with.

[woofgang]

oooh rogerthomas, hoo ratled yor barres!

[kick3m0n]

roger, I really do hope this is tongue in cheek, but having read your previous, somewhat retentive posts correcting language and grammar, I fear not. There is nothing more stupid than thinking a persons intellect depends on their ability to read and write to the level you seem to aim for (but fail to hit!). Talk about judging a book by it's cover!! I have a very close friend who has massive problems reading and writing well, due to a combination of dyslexia, and an oxygen shortage at birth. but you know what, she's got a first class honours degreee, an MSc, post doc qualifications and is now a professor at a UK Uni. Her answers, were she to post on this site, would be unacceptable to you, yet I have little doubt that she is the most intelligent person I know. Of course, you'd chose not to believe her posts due to her grammar and spelling, so that really does just prove your own ignorance.

I've just re-read your post and really cannot believe you're for real. It's just got to be a joke. People so blinkered and bigotted can't actually function in the 21st Century, can they????

[BigMac]

I think good grammar and spelling is important; in particular good punctuation, which acts as a 'sign-post' for the reader. I think it's just polite to make your text as clear and easy to read as possible.

Why does it matter? Well, here's a simple example: "He was a west Indian" (i.e. from Asia) and "He was a West Indian" (i.e. from the Caribbean). Both are correct but mean very different things.

I've been taken to task by others for occasionally suggesting questioners on AB consult a dictionary when seeking meanings of words; I accept that this may not be appropriate for those learning/speaking English as a foreign language.

But, on Q&P, correct spelling and grammar is essential in order satisfactorily, and correctly, to complete the various crossword clues submitted.

End of rant (surely, "measured response"?,Ed).

[VINNY100_2]

Caw will "ee look at thicky cheal "ee be vauchin ee"s bike like a maizound,If youm gwain up Dartmoor with yer 'Fern Ticket' make sure you dawnt rin into any Vuzz Bushes. hehe...(:)I love to stick a vuzz bush(corse)right up your jacksy,that be a right booty..(:)

[woofgang]

deedily zed, Vinny me ol' luvver

[woofgang]

Come on folks, there's a balance in this surely. Yes grammar and spelling are somewhat inportant to ensure that the meaning of what one writes or speaks is clear.

Is it a be-all and end-all? Of course not.

Is it a measure of intelligence? doubtful.

Does God care enough about how we write or speak to have "divinely intervened" in the evolution of English as it is written today? Well if She cares that much, why hasn't the question poster been struck by a bolt of lightning??

Myself I suspect we have a troll in our midst dear readers....

[woofgang]

for anyone who hasn't come across the phenomenon of internet trolls

http://members.aol.com/intwg/trolls.htm

[shaneystar2]

And just to confuse matters ..I don't want my friend Vinny getting the upper hand here !! Down boy !

Moost counties hev nearmes searm'as Norfolk
Whot never sound quite loike they spell.
So, because I'm a trew Norfolk dumplin'
I fare ter know some onnem well.

Now, why should Wy-mond-ham be Windham?
And Happ-is-burgh's Haisboro, yew see,
And Haut-bois....well, thass known as Hobbies.
They reckun thass French - dunt arsk me!

There's By-laugh whot lay close ter Dereham,
Called Belaw, at least so they say,
And Gar-bold-is-ham-well, jist leave out the middle
Then Garblesham's the trew Norfolk way.

There's Colney, well, thass known as Coney,
An' Cost-ess-ey thas Cossey fer sure.
Hindol-vest-on is well know as Hilderstun,
But please dunt arsk me what for!

The old folk at Wive-ton say Wiffen,
An' the neartives of Cley will say Clay,
While Glandford's referred to as Glanfer,
Thass torkin' the trew Norfolk way.

The Norfolk for Salt-house is Saltus,
An' Morston - just leave out the T.
While Stody is allus called Study,
That dew seem a rum'un ter me.

There's Stiffkey what locals call Stukey
An' their cockles are called Stukey Blews.
Thow, o'course, the village med headlines
When the parson wuz well in the news.

This list ent complete I assure yew,
But these few are a proof jist ter show
Thass roight trew whot the rhyme say o' Norfolk....
"We allus dew diffrunt, yer know!"

What a pedantic person you seem to be rogerthomas.
So..no chance of you helping anybody out then if their post isn't up to your standard ?
Have you nothing better to worry about ?

[pugwash52]

So that sorts it, then. Rogerthomas is either an "unintelligent idiot" or a bloke with a sense of humour.

[gary baldy]

I'm really really clever (and not at all conceited!) yet i still struggle with spelling and grammar on occasions.
Bad spelling and grammar annoys me a bit but you have to learn to let some of it go.
On this site it is easier to sort out the idiots from the intelligent by seeing what sort a question is put, how it's expressed and how it is responded to - not by the odd slip in spelling and grammar. I have seen some fantastic questions and answers from people who obviously struggle with spelling and grammar and , after all, thats all that matters on this site.

[rogerthomas]

OK. This was written with tongue very firmly in cheek. It does raise a serious point however. If your post is written clearly and correctly, there is more chance that people will read and understand it.

[joko]

Ode to the Spell Checker:

Eye have a spelling chequer,
It came with my pea sea.
It plainly marques four my revue
Miss Steaks eye kin knot sea.
Eye strike a quay and type a word
and weight four it two say
Weather Eye am wrong oar write
It shows me strait a weigh.
As soon as a mist ache is maid,
It nose bee fore two long,
And Eye can put the error rite -
Its rare lea ever wrong.
Eye have run this poem threw it
I am shore yore pleas two no,
Its letter perfect awl the weigh.
Mi spell chequer tolled me sew.