So who cares about English anyway?

Question

I recently posted a question asking why so many people seem to be incapable of using correct spelling and grammar. Apart from the expected abuse and insults, the general idea of people who answered said that it is not important if people do not get it right. One guy answered. "You can tell what they mean, so does it really matter?"

If this is so, why do schools teach English if it doesn't matter if we learn things correctly or not? Isn't the point of going to school to learn to the best of your ability?

I feel like handing out some violation notices, so to all those who are incapable of responding with a non-abusive answer, step up and claim your prize. To all others, tell me what you think.

Answer 1

I think that knowing your language and using it correctly shows respect for the language and for your culture.  Sometimes it seems to me that people are just plain lazy.

Answer 2

The problem is quite often, you DON'T know what they mean. You see so many people who write so illegibly that you have to read it several times and even then make a guess at the meaning.

And just because you can tell what's meant, doesn't mean it isn't important to write using proper grammar and spelling; being able to write and communicate in a clear manner is one of the most important skills you need if you want to get anywhere in the real world. Would you rather people be able to read over your writing and understand you right away? Or struggle to find the meaning out of all your mistakes?

In the writing world, spelling and grammar can make all the difference between a good bit of writing and a bad one; a writing with bad spelling and grammar might be good, but without the correct grammar and spelling in place, you can't see it. You can't see the details through the smoke.

I don't see why it should be any different on the internet either; if anything it's more important to be legible and clear on the internet. The internet is anonymous, sure, but it's very easy in print, when you're not speaking face to face to someone to unintentionally give a meaning you never meant and cause confusion/offense etc.

People who make excuses about it just being the internet, or that they weren't paying much attention to what they were typing, or whatever, are just lazy. That's all bad grammar and spelling is most of the time, it's people being lazy. It's the 'yeah, whatever' attitude.

Especially when there's a spellchecker right on here. There is on most forums etc. You can spell check your emails, your documents, everything. It does it for you, and people still end up with illegible writing. Now, THAT is lazy. I mean, how much effort is it to press one little button???

Answer 3

It does matter , a lot, about the correct usage of grammar.There  is far too much slackness on this these days .

One true way of demonstrating a good education and an intelligent mind is to be able to write with clarity on any level.I am appalled at some of the ignorance displayed on this sight .Some of the questions can barely be understood , and therefore I dont answer such stuff as I doubt if the correct answer would be understood either.

Answer 4

I'm with you on this subject. English is my major and I really feel that it is vital to use correct grammar/spelling. I believe internet slang is the culprit. We have become accustomed to ridiculous abbreviations, thus making one more generation more acceptable of incorrect grammar.