Apostrophes

Lenin Skynard

I often find myself reading threads where good points are being made and good arguments are going back and forth. Then someone starts splattering apostrophes everywhere to pluralise things and I can't be bothered to take the person seriously anymore.

Am I alone on this? Do you take someone seriously when they're arguing a point yet they seem to lack basic education in the English language? I skip a post as soon as I see a dodgy apostrophe and I'm wondering if I have a problem and need therapy.

im invisible

Apostrophe's

Maximus Alexander

They probably picked it up from all those CD's and DVD's released during the 90's. That my 2c's.

Xavi6

Agree OP; apostrophes and other forms of basic grammar are essential for me to take a post seriously.

kneemos

Pedantic's

Chuck Stone

I was using an apostrophe automatically for it's until I realised I was making a mistake with the ownership its.

I must admit it doe's irk me somewhat when I look back over old post's and see mistake's.

Doc

Yes because the idea being conveyed isn't important only the the placement of apostrophes. :rolleyes:

Son Of A Vidic

Lenin Skynard wrote: »

Apostrophes

There was twelve of them, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I can't remember the rest.

Lenin Skynard

Doc wrote: »

Yes because the idea being conveyed isn't important only the the placement of apostrophes. :rolleyes:

If the person doesn't use language properly then their idea is automatically written off. Also applies to the asshole emoticon that you included in your post.

kneemos

Lenin Skynard wrote: »

If the person doesn't use language properly then their idea is automatically written off. Also applies to the asshole emoticon that you included in your post.

Poor attempt at a troll?

Lenin Skynard

kneemos wrote: »

Poor attempt at a troll?

Include the "thinly veiled", "poor attempt at a troll","been posted before" people along with the apostrophe retards.

Maximus Alexander

Lenin Skynard wrote: »

Include the "thinly veiled", "poor attempt at a troll","been posted before" people along with the apostrophe retards.

I bet you have all the friends.

Iwannahurl

Lenin Skynard wrote: »

I often find myself reading threads where good points are being made and good arguments are going back and forth. Then someone starts splattering apostrophes everywhere to pluralise things and I can't be bothered to take the person seriously anymore.

I skip a post as soon as I see a dodgy apostrophe and I'm wondering if I have a problem and need therapy.

Are you sure you saw these quality threads on Boards?

I would have thought the random apostrophe was the least of your concerns.

Oops, I meant concern's of course.

kneemos

Dying children in Africa,torture in Chinese prisons,this green discharge are all a concern,apostrophe's not so much.

im invisible

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

I bet you have all the friends.

have ALL the friends o/'

gbee

No, it's perfectly normal, there are children and Internet psychos who will argue with anyone, anyone on my ignore list is constantly in trouble with other posters too.

There are several tools to catch them out, language and its usage is one that is very well documented.

Maximus Alexander

gbee wrote: »

No, it's perfectly normal, there are children and Internet psychos who will argue with anyone, anyone on my ignore list is constantly in trouble with other posters too.

There are several tools to catch them out, language and its usage is one that is very well documented.

i agree tat tlkin liek dis is gernrly a bd sine.

But I don't think it's fair to claim that somebody who misuses the apostrophe can't have valid opinions or contribute to a discussion.

gbee

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

But I don't think it's fair to claim that somebody who misuses the apostrophe can't have valid opinions or contribute to a discussion.

Very simple, the use of the apostrophe can change the meaning of a sentence. Mistakes and eagerness aside, if one does not know what they have written, it's more of a chore to try and understand.

And if a poster is at such a low level anyway, their opinions would be treated differently if not even dismissed out of hand.

Anyway, it's up to the poster, this topic come up a few times, a well written comment will always extricate better responses.

Maximus Alexander

gbee wrote: »

Anyway, it's up to the poster, this topic come up a few times, a well written comment will always extricate better responses.

I certainly agree with this part. I wouldn't dismiss someone out of hand for language errors though.

Sometimes I won't bother to read a wall of text, and I certainly won't put myself through the effort of figuring out a post with no punctuation, but generally you're not going to have much trouble extracting the correct meaning from a post which misuses apostrophes.

It's worth remembering that some people have learning difficulties, but that doesn't mean they don't have worthwhile things to say.

kneemos

gbee wrote: »

Very simple, the use of the apostrophe can change the meaning of a sentence. Mistakes and eagerness aside, if one does not know what they have written, it's more of a chore to try and understand.

And if a poster is at such a low level anyway, their opinions would be treated differently if not even dismissed out of hand.

Anyway, it's up to the poster, this topic come up a few times, a well written comment will always extricate better responses.

Sorry all dyslexics,don't even bother.

gbee

kneemos wrote: »

Sorry all dyslexics,don't even bother.

I am dyslexic. Almost everything I write has to be written a few times.

kneemos

gbee wrote: »

I am dyslexic. Almost everything I write has to be written a few times.

Probably why I'm dismissing your opinion.

Ellis Dee

I suggest some or other Mod starts a thread where posters can nominate the worst punctuation offenders and choose a winner..:D

I hereby undertake to finance the prize for the winner - a copy of the book "Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation" by Lynn Truss.

I'd also recommend it as a good Christmas present for someone else or yourself.:)


Sample:

A panda walks into a café. He orders a sandwich, eats it, then draws a gun and proceeds to fire it at the other patrons.

"Why?" asks the confused, surviving waiter amidst the carnage, as the panda makes towards the exit. The panda produces a badly punctuated wildlife manual and tosses it over his shoulder.

"Well, I'm a panda," he says, at the door. "Look it up."
The waiter turns to the relevant entry in the manual and, sure enough, finds an explanation. "Panda. Large black-and-white bear-like mammal, native to China. Eats, shoots and leaves."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eats,_Shoots_%26_Leaves

gbee

kneemos wrote: »

Probably why I'm dismissing your opinion.

What an about turn there. Bye.

The King of Moo

Apostrophes are not very important, and there are not many occasions when their presence or absence obscures a sentence's meaning, but I still prefer to see them used correctly. There are much more egregious language mistakes, however.

Those things over there are her husband's.
Those things over there are her husbands'.
Those things over there are her husbands.

malkmoose

gbee wrote: »

I am dyslexic. Almost everything I write has to be written a few times.

Are you saying because you are dyslexic and can punctuate correctly means all dyslexic people should be able to punctuate correctly?

Do you think it is snobby to dismiss opinions that are not expressed with perfect grammar and punctuation?

I will always tolerate poor grammar and punctuation when someone wants to make a point or feels passionate about something on a forum.

anncoates

Who gives a f*cking sh*t?

I thought these tedious grammar threads were supposed to be an endangered species in here these days?

There is a private forum for people to jerk off in about it, isn't there?

Chuck Stone

Lenin Skynard wrote: »

If the person doesn't use language properly then their idea is automatically written off.

You're missing out on lots of good ideas then Sir. Poor grammar is not proof of a dull mind or unimaginative person.

gbee

malkmoose wrote: »

Are you saying because you are dyslexic

Another poster said dyslexic people should not bother. Why not ask him. In fact dyslexic people have to try harder and the computer is a great aid as the writtne word itsfle may not show the problem but it does become obvious on the PC screen.

I left that bit in deliberately.

Snobbish. Yes, certainly, and why not, I worked hard for my education and lack of is seen all too often as an excuse and is unacceptable to me.

kneemos

Chuck Stone wrote: »

You're missing out on lots of good ideas then Sir. Poor grammar is not proof of a dull mind or unimaginative person.

A lot of the greatest scientists have poor grammer apparently.

CommanderC

Lenin Skynard wrote: »

I often find myself reading threads where good points are being made and good arguments are going back and forth. Then someone starts splattering apostrophes everywhere to pluralise things and I can't be bothered to take the person seriously anymore.

Am I alone on this? Do you take someone seriously when they're arguing a point yet they seem to lack basic education in the English language? I skip a post as soon as I see a dodgy apostrophe and I'm wondering if I have a problem and need therapy.

This is your own problem really. If you are willing to shut yourself off from people who, by your own admission, are expressing good ideas and interesting arguments then, it's only you who will miss out.

If you're happy with that.....coolbananas.

If you're not..............it's therapy time.

Either, way, I, won't, be, taking, your, posts, seriously, anymore,.

malkmoose

gbee wrote: »

Another poster said dyslexic people should not bother. Why not ask him. In fact dyslexic people have to try harder and the computer is a great aid as the writtne word itsfle may not show the problem but it does become obvious on the PC screen.

I left that bit in deliberately.

Snobbish. Yes, certainly, and why not, I worked hard for my education and lack of is seen all too often as an excuse and is unacceptable to me.

Being an academic snob (or elitist) in my book is negative and shows a lack of tolerances and understanding of society. I reckon the most inspirational people in Ireland are probably athletes who are generally not high achievers academically.

My English is "ungood":D:D

I have a problem with spelling and grammar, yet I still post in boards because I think its a shame that someone might have something to say but be afraid to say it because they will be leaped on by other posters if there English is not perfect.

I understand that some people get irritated with poor spelling and thats alright as long as you are not nasty about it.

gbee

malkmoose wrote: »

I reckon the most inspirational people in Ireland are probably athletes who are generally not high achievers academically.

I know the dig you're getting at there, but travellers are in one sport, most of our other athletes are in university or are graduates.

Oink

mariaalice wrote: »

My English is "ungood":D:D

I like it... I'm going to re-use that.

(Also, I'm a closet grammar nazi but I take tablet's for it. Oh look it work's !1!1!!)

Shenshen

Lenin Skynard wrote: »

I often find myself reading threads where good points are being made and good arguments are going back and forth. Then someone starts splattering apostrophes everywhere to pluralise things and I can't be bothered to take the person seriously anymore.

Am I alone on this? Do you take someone seriously when they're arguing a point yet they seem to lack basic education in the English language? I skip a post as soon as I see a dodgy apostrophe and I'm wondering if I have a problem and need therapy.

I'm with you on this.
English isn't my first language, but I don't generally have a problem communicating in it.
I do however find it difficult to near enough impossible to understand once people drop general grammar, spelling and punctuation.

So I generally assume people doing this do for some reason not want to be understood and ignore their posts.

You can achieve academically even if you have some difficulties with English, I did. I consider my self to highly intelligent and I have a very good job.
I also tend to be good at seeing my way around problems in work and would be very good at seeing things differently or having a different approach than more conventional thinkers.

anncoates

mariaalice wrote: »

You can achieve academically even if you have some difficulties with English, I did. I consider my self to highly intelligent and I have a very good job.
I also tend to be good at seeing my way around problems in work and would be very good at seeing things differently or having a different approach than more conventional thinkers.

Fair play to you.

Yet you still thanked an OP which appears to be based on the premise that the written opinion of people like yourself is not worthy of serious attention?

SuperGrover

With these threads there is always a perception that those who struggle to read (or take seriously) posts with bad grammar, spelling, syntax or punctuation are being snobby or are deliberately seeking mistakes to pull people up on, as some sort of academic exercise.

But, from my perspective anyway, these errors completely interrupt the flow of reading and make themselves felt without me having to seek them out. They impose themselves on me and completely distract from what the poster is trying to communicate. It's you stopping me reading your posts, not me.

Besides people with dyslexia (does that really bring on unnecessary apostrophes?), I find (among people I know personally) that the people with the worst spelling and grammar are those who never read actual books or well-written text in the first place. This also leads me to be less likely to spend time trying to decipher the badly written posts as there is a presumption that the writer is of limited knowledge, background etc. in the first place.

I'd prefer if I could just ignore this stuff, but I can't.

The reason there are rules in language is so that we can understand what each other is trying to say. We understand the language and employ it. Then we can understand each other.

gbee

mariaalice wrote: »

I also tend to be good at seeing my way around problems in work and would be very good at seeing things differently .

Would you be working in Hollyhill Industrial Estate in Cork, by any chance?

I always thank anyone who is a pendant about spelling or grammar or the English language or who thinks its witty to laugh at someone who's spelling is poor.

I also blow kissed at anyone who cuts me up when driving or other bad drivers.

I do it because it confuses them and it stops me getting mad.

anncoates

mariaalice wrote: »

I always thank anyone who is a pendant about spelling or grammar or the English language or who thinks its witty to laugh at someone who's spelling is poor.

I also blow kissed at anyone who cuts me up when driving or other bad drivers.

I do it because it confuses them and it stops me getting mad.

Your call. Not having a go at you.

I think sneering at people's - unintended - grammar mistakes is one of the worst things you can do on here. It's snobbish, punctilious and actually tantamount to denying those with poor education or learning difficulties the means to express themselves confidently.

And it's hardly as if some of the people in here with good writing skills automatically qualify as intellectual heavyweights from the looks of things.

Shenshen

Shenshen wrote: »

I'm with you on this.
English isn't my first language, but I don't generally have a problem communicating in it.
I do however find it difficult to near enough impossible to understand once people drop general grammar, spelling and punctuation.

So I generally assume people doing this do for some reason not want to be understood and ignore their posts.

That a very reasonable answer and its fair en ought however this is after hours and you do get a lot of posters who do think its witty to laugh at poor spelling.

Dyslexia is maybe a catch all for a variety of difficulties with written language and is sometimes used as an excuse for laziness.

I hate txt speak don't read posts that are full of txt speak so I am aware I am a bit contradictory about the subject of poor English.

SuperGrover

SuperGrover wrote: »

With these threads there is always a perception that those who struggle to read (or take seriously) posts with bad grammar, spelling, syntax or punctuation are being snobby or are deliberately seeking mistakes to pull people up on, as some sort of academic exercise.

But, from my perspective anyway, these errors completely interrupt the flow of reading and make themselves felt without me having to seek them out. They impose themselves on me and completely distract from what the poster is trying to communicate. It's you stopping me reading your posts, not me.

Besides people with dyslexia (does that really bring on unnecessary apostrophes?), I find (among people I know personally) that the people with the worst spelling and grammar are those who never read actual books or well-written text in the first place. This also leads me to be less likely to spend time trying to decipher the badly written posts as there is a presumption that the writer is of limited knowledge, background etc. in the first place.

I'd prefer if I could just ignore this stuff, but I can't.

The reason there are rules in language is so that we can understand what each other is trying to say. We understand the language and employ it. Then we can understand each other.

That very reasonaible as well.

9959

anncoates wrote: »

Your call. Not having a go at you.

I think sneering at people's - unintended - grammar mistakes is one of the worst things you can do on here. It's snobbish, punctilious and actually tantamount to denying those with poor education or learning difficulties the means to express themselves confidently.

And it's hardly as if some of the people in here with good writing skills automatically qualify as intellectual heavyweights from the looks of things.

I know it's early, but the above is my nomination for post of the day!

dr.bollocko

anncoates wrote: »

Your call. Not having a go at you.

I think sneering at people's - unintended - grammar mistakes is one of the worst things you can do on here. It's snobbish, punctilious and actually tantamount to denying those with poor education or learning difficulties the means to express themselves confidently.

And it's hardly as if some of the people in here with good writing skills automatically qualify as intellectual heavyweights from the looks of things.

The above post sums up my feelings on the matter.