by .....----- on March 6th, 2009
Well as many of you know English is not my first language and some people have corrected me a few times I personally don't mind because I'm still learning and is a good thing to have someone to let me know when I'm saying something wrong and such.
I enjoy this site and I always have I think corrections regarding a language we are still trying to figure out shouldn't be taken as personal but as something to learn from.
by Keysha on March 6th, 2009
I correct those that use chat speak. I can understand someone learning English not spelling correctly, but when you know the language and deliberately use a polyglot mix of English, numbers, and made-up words, then you need a smackdown. It's hard enough for non-natives to understand the language without trying to decipher those that abuse it.
by Lori K still ignores stalkers and trolls on March 6th, 2009
How will you ever learn if no one corrects you? I am learning German. I like to be corrected so that I don't learn incorrect speech patterns.
by Arisztid in a COAT of Rromani awareness on March 7th, 2009
I have no problem with anyone who does not write properly as long as they are not mangling the English language on purpose. Chatspeak and leet are a choice, not a requirement. I will go out of my way to understand someone who does not use excessive chatspeak or any leet. If they use some chatspeak but the answer, question, or comment is easily legible I have no problem with it. TyPiNg LyKe ThIs or Capitalizing Each Letter At The Beginning Of a Word is also is annoying.
Even when they use chatspeak and leet I rarely say anything. Usually I just move on past. Every now and then I say something but try to restrain myself.
I also think that excessive chatspeak or any leet is rude to everyone, especially non-native English speakers. I have trouble with it and can only imagine the problems non-native English speakers must have with it.
The only time I let my inner Spelling and Grammar Nazi out is when I see someone insulting another person's intellect or writing while they, themselves, use bad spelling and grammar IN the insult.
I indulge myself at those times.
by Barcaluv on March 6th, 2009
Bien dicho ; )
by JuJubee is wearing a COAT of chocolate on March 6th, 2009
I know. It's really mean! AB is for all different language speakers and I enjoy meeting people from other countries and cultures. English is their second language and they may not be an expert at it, but at least they're trying!
by gtravels loves her life penguin on March 6th, 2009
You raise an excellent point. I think it's something people forget at times when responding. I've been guilty of it myself for which I'm sorry. It's great to raise awareness of the subject. Hopefully we will see less of it as a result.
by xjimmyloudx on March 6th, 2009
I'm glad you pointed this out, as I myself am guilty of sometimes correcting peoples grammar and spelling...
I'll try and be a little bit more considerate from now on.
by PipeSmokingMan on July 25th, 2009
I was born as a German and my English is not exactly perfect.
Still - the most rude comments about minor mistakes in spelling or punctuation often come from folks who's writing style is even worse.
Like in many aspects of life - it is a matter of "how" and "who" and his or her credibility. If someone corrects me in a friendly way and obviously is a literate and eloquent person - hey, cool, helps me to become better. If some low lifeform tries to bash me just because he does not like foreigners - well, I apply some of the stuff I learned from outside the dictionaries.
by lonelydragon on August 11th, 2009
I do agree with you that this is rude. Maybe they are mean because they mistake non-native speakers for native speakers who are too lazy to learn proper grammar. Try not to take it to heart.
by bolwerk on July 31st, 2009
What about the U.S. Americans who should know it?
by tangieoh on July 31st, 2009
I try to be kind about things like this. You could see about joining a message board if you want to learn the English language better. I knew a person once who did that :) He was really sweet and he got considerably better over time.
You will never see me being mean about something like that.
by Sandman on March 7th, 2009
As a retired professor of English as a Foreign Language, and a speaker of six languages, I have to enter myself in the "not guilty" column.
However, very few things excite my contempt quite so much as native speakers who cannot use their own language properly. I've been known to berate some folks for posting illiterate questions, answers, or comments. So much so that I have become accustomed to being downrated for "harshness."
by ChuckExAnon on March 7th, 2009
Truth be told, I never "correct" a poster whose native tongue is obviously not English. I wouldn't even acknowledge they've erred. I'd skip the question if I couldn't figure it out...usually I can. I admire their struggling attempts to be with us here at AB, notwithstanding the extreme difficulty of it must be for them. I suspect, in fact, one of the major reasons for even being here is to learn more of the language...but not to be shamed into doing so.
I grew up in a town with many, many immigrants, mostly Italian and Polish, who were doing their damdest to speak English. They were all good people --so wanting to be new Americans-- and it would have been rude for us, neighbors, to correct them. They all had kids...and their kids were politely and respectfully correcting them at home...like "Ma, you're not SUPPOSED to say 'thatsa goood' when somebody tells you that their sister just died!" [That actually happened! :-)]
Correcting is good...but I don't think that ABer's should be doing it to our friends in here. It's not our place. We really don't know them that well. Being polite should always rule.
Just an old man's opinion...for what it's worth. :-)
by Sixty B - Commander Topcoat on March 6th, 2009
People can be very eager to let their egos get in the way of actually being constructive.
by Anon y mouse on March 6th, 2009
This is not a site for people to learn a foreign language. There are sites specifically set up for that purpose, this isn't one of them. For another, I would think that most people here can distinguish between someone who's first language isn't English and make appropriate allowances. That doesn't however mean humouring the use of text speak or complete gibberish.
Also, do you seriously think it's a good idea for people to learn a language without being corrected for incorrect grammar, usage and spelling? Just how well do you think they'll learn that way and what exactly would they be learning, since it wouldn't be acceptable English in any real sense?
by Anonymous on March 6th, 2009
talk about it, so long as u get what the person is saying, i think its more importantant.
by Lover Anne on March 6th, 2009
I know its so annoying. I guess some just cant stand some of us arent grammer smart.
by Phillis - Zacks little sister on July 31st, 2009
I agree!! Fellow answerbaggers, please DO remember that many who come to AB did not have English as their primary language where they grew up. Please be nice. +5
by Rinky Dinky Do on March 7th, 2009
What doesn't kill you, will you make you stronger
by Ditto on March 6th, 2009
It's hard for them to deal with the imperfect people. Too bad not everyone can be as perfect as them. Sort of makes me wonder how well they know other languages. :-)
by AIR_INDIA_says_Wass_Up on March 6th, 2009
LOL ! I think u sawed that mr.corrector was crying on my grammatical mistakes for that questions , SURE , WHEN U WANT TO IMPROVE THE ENGLISH U SHOULD SEE THE CORRECTIONS BUT THERE DIFFERENCE IN THE INTENTION , " Are you r correcting others just to make fun of them and pick on them or you really wanna act like a good man and help them towards there english betterment ", but most of the time, those peoples r racist Pricks who just want a issue, to pick on somone :)
Thanks have good day :)
by Little Miss Dangerous on March 6th, 2009
Some people are simply mean.
I am very tolerant and try to be helpful. I would love to turn the tables and learn another language better myself.
by daemonelson on March 6th, 2009
The day a person is able to correct me is the day I will stop correcting them. Just that one person though. I still need to have a little bit of fun.
by centsless on March 6th, 2009
Good question. I guess I've been guilty without realizing someone was learning the language. Many native English speakers are not helping them either by using sloppy spelling, grammar and usage. We should all set a good example so those learning can do it properly.
by Mosexy on March 6th, 2009
If you're serious about learning, shouldn't you want to see the corrections? I don't get it.
If someone is negative it says more about them then it does about you. They suck at being nice, like most people do. Try not to take these things so personally.
by Porter on March 6th, 2009
dunno why?
by Sharona Life is a Tale Told by an Idiot on August 11th, 2009
Thank you for pointing this one out. Most of the "know-it-alls" need to open their shallow minds and consider that this person who may be strugling, knows at least one more language than they do. Most people who correct are lucky they can spell and read English, much less try to converse in a second language. Good for you!
by DevilDoc on August 11th, 2009
Some people just need to do some growing up....it's like asking why do kids get picked on? Why are ugly kids calling other kids "ugly"?
by jibberjabbers on August 11th, 2009
eye is typin this two try and pissing allbody in here off. dont hating me cuz eye am righting this four you two make correctin.
by Firebrand on August 11th, 2009
I entirely agree with you Sweet, so few people allow for the fact that for a lot of users English is a second language.
I have seen peoples English improve a lot over the years.
by tary jon little on August 11th, 2009
they jjust do.
by barbarajohnson on November 9th, 2009
I think so that if someone ask a question the best part is to suggest the place where a person an get help to improve their English, or some ideas on how they can be helped with their English etc.......
by RubyReds on September 11th, 2009
Im not English either, the comments are fine, I look at the mistake that they make me aware of and sometimes I cant believe I actually made it! Im just not taking enough time to think, re-think and type, re-type my answers. Im very new here and enjoy the questions and answers very much. Ive been on a similar site where I had the privilege to answer in my own language but the site is becoming more like a 'chatroom' nowadays and thats why Im here now... trying to do my best in English... please bare with me?
by Moley the contrary female dragon on August 11th, 2009
Not everyone has the same education, this does not mean they should be ridiculed or criticised. Peoples hearts and opinions are what matters. we are all individuals. My partner is dyslexic and was ridiculed for years. he has much more common sense and natural intelligence than many so called well educated people. I have a daughter with an I.Q of well over 140 who cannot spell to save her life.
does ab not care they broke our hearts? are we just av's to them ? my ab time was a joy, i am lost and hurting, anyone else ?
by -Icy- on December 11th, 2009
| 3 people like this
Do you hate when you see people try to ask like 500 of the most common question all jumbled up into one so it won't be flagged?
by Gina.Intoxicates.You on August 19th, 2009
| 4 people like this
Ok...how do we rate comments? Or are we not allowed to do so with the new version of answerbag?
by Mystical Dim on December 30th, 2009
| 1 person likes this
Does anyone think that something like the this (see referring URL) will work on AB? There's also a question at the end of it. LOL
by BigDaddyBS on December 2nd, 2009
| 17 people like this
Don't know a lot of my friends on my friends list anymore.. Changing avatars and names. Don't you think they should leave some kind of clue?
by j ninja... on December 18th, 2009
| 4 people like this
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Comments
Excellent points.
by Wide Awake @ has closing date woo hoo on March 6th, 2009
Thank you :)
by .....----- on March 6th, 2009
Was this help you speak of given to you in a kind helpful manner or in a negative manner which sought to demean your efforts and make you feel uncomfortable ?
by anonymous on March 6th, 2009
I have never felt uncomfortable because someone has corrected me here it's just been helpful.
by .....----- on March 6th, 2009
I am happy for you PF, but sad for those who are subject to demeaning and negative comments during the course of their learning.
by anonymous on March 6th, 2009
I'm sure some people are just mean but like I said I have never encountered with someone like that or maybe I just dont care much for mean people.
by .....----- on March 6th, 2009