Community Chat

[Annabellethecat66]

For instance: Someone taught you when to spell the word sea vs see. How about the spelling of brake vs break?

Beyond many words like that. Let's think of hummmm....how is it you know when to put in the hyphen or the asterisk. Think about this one....when to double the last letter?

There are so many rules that SHOULD be followed when writing a sentence correctly. How do you know when to put the quotes before OR after the question mark?

The English language (the correct way it is written) has taken a major hit in the past 10 years.

I guarantee you there are many here that have no idea as to the correct way to write a letter.

I'm not criticizing anyone. English (mainly the way it's written) is something I find fascinating. I just wondered if anyone else ever thinks about this.

With the rise of computers people are fast losing (people often put in two o's because it would make sense (why not since) the rules of writing correct grammar (why 2 m's).

I certainly don't claim to know all of the answers. I often have to look up things on the computer. It's because I look them up (plus I don't remember like I used to) that I'm wondering if I'm the only person who feels this way. Wondering why it's that way, I mean.

Does anyone remember this rule when diagraming a word? I'll bet many people here can't diagram a sentence. Here's the sentence: Stop doing that! Did you remember the word 'You" is the subject? We used to say, You, understood.

Here's my point (finally). As a senior citizen (almost 70) I've become increasingly aware that we Seniors are supposed to know most things about computers. OK, I can understand why knowledge about computers can be beneficial.

I also feel that if the younger generation doesn't start paying attention and learn the correct grammar (again writing, especially) this country is in deep trouble. Our need to communicate is important. However, it is becoming increasingly more important than ever because technology is changing so quickly.

What we hear isn't always what's been said. When it is written there is no disputing it.

When it is written correctly, I believe, it is appreciated. I would also like to apologize for any mispelled (why not two s) words and for all of my run-on sentences.

If you are a Senior Citizen (we deserve capital letters) I know you understand what I'm saying. Also, if you are or have ever been a teacher you have my appreciation.

[faeriemoon]

Annabelle.

Have another glass of wine.

[Deb1010again]

More relevant to this forum ""Do you ever wonder why you don't know anything about some of the topics you think you know about?"" And then ""...what compels you to weigh in on those topics as an expert""

LOL Just having a little fun!

[NoelSeven]

The English/American language is constantly changing. Some call it a living language.

We wouldn't recognize how much of it was spoken or written long ago.

It's going to change, just like everything else.

[Plaid Pants]

I think that texting plays a part, also. For instance, when texting the question, "Where are you?", the long way like I just did, they text "Where r u?".

They will also text, "Im going 2 b at the park", instead of, "I'm going to be at the park".

See what I mean?

[Nancy Drew]

I have a lady in my mahjong group who text way sores than any teenager I know so it isn't only the young.

[SydneyH]

I'm a little confused by the question, but no I never wondered, I had a vigorous education. Not sure what else they are looking for in terms of responses.........

[NoelSeven]

On 2/13/2015 Nancy Drew said:

I have a lady in my mahjong group who text way sores than any teenager I know so it isn't only the young.

Thank you for the visual I got from your post above! Too cute, I can just see someone at a mahjong group texting away

[Justina rae]

Maybe we will evolve to become telepathic. Then it won't matter.

[Moonchilde]

While I understand what the OP is saying (part of it, at any rate), I disagree with her conclusion that "the country" is in big trouble as far as communication.

English (British, America, Australian and Canadian) is a constantly evolving language - as are most other European languages, even though the French aren't happy about it). The way English was spoken and written by our Founding Fathers a mere (in the scheme of things) 250 years ago, by the OP's logic, would be utterly incorrect in every way in today's world. But when we read something that was written in the 18th C, most people can make out what is being said - that Communication thing.

Language evolves and changes relatively slowly, but some of us have already seen some major shifts in our lifetimes. and like generations and more generations before us, we don't like these changes because they go against what we were taught in school. That's okay, we're perfectly entitled to not like them - but they don't mean we won't be capable of communicating, moving forward. I hate text-speak. Detest it. But it's not going away, and I can understand it. And so can most people, whether they wish it would disappear into a black hole or not :-)

Do I like the idea that there are generations rising who cannot spell and whose grammar is atrocious compared to older generations? Heck no. But I have no doubts at all that Americans of all ages as well as furriners ;-) will keep right on communicating just fine.

I do really wonder, though, what happens when the first generation with no grasp of cursive wtiting comes to legal age. How do you handle no more signatures? It's going to have to be seriously addressed in the next 20-30 years.