Why can't people use even basic grammar in emails?

[Slim]

Ok maybe because i live in Ca but to me it looks like a english as a second language. Some of the messed up plurals make me think probably asian based language. Being married to an ESL guy I get how hard it can be to have someone check every little thing you do so that you "dont sound like an idiot"

In my experience ESL indviduals are better at expressing themselves through the written word than many EFL individuals.

English is not my first language...we spoke redneck in the home where I was raised. I had to learn English later

[Rob]

It really makes me lose faith in humanity when I get emails from Craig's list like that. Is it a lack of trying to sound literate? Maybe they were driving while writing the email? Sadly enough that is probably the way they talk. SMH

[heathers*bps]

Ugh, I am by far perfect ( I tend to lick windows on occasion, especial when I forget my helmet ) but I can't stand when people text or email me with something like [B]that[B]. In all honesty, with how slack people have become with something so fundamental as basic english/grammar, I don't want to try to deal with them. The emails/texts going back and forth with someone like that would truly give me a headache!

[olstyn]

Someone on another forum I frequent came up with a term for lingual constructions of the ilk received by the OP: grammarchaos. I thought it was so apt that I asked permission to use it in the future.

[Emily Hubbard]

Oh, don't even get me started: I am an English Literature major. I try not to be a grammar Nazi, but if someone communicates to me in that way, they may as well be swearing at me, I find it downright offensive. I really understand that for some people, grammar is to them what math is to me. You don't have to know where every comma goes, but COME ON!! I think people just don't read anymore, reading improves all written communication skills. But when all you read are text messages, Facebook statuses, and "Twilight," your brain dies.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Actually, Twilight has reasonable grammar, punctuation, and spelling...it's a published work, after all. So, that's no excuse.

Excuses seem to be all these types of folks make, too...don't they have any pride, self-respect, or shame? I'm married to a fellow who also has English as a second language, and HE cares. His English is better than that of the majority of Americans. How sad is that?

I think they reinforce one another's apathy. "Oh, spelling doesn't matter, you shouldn't criticize people for their spelling, what if they have ADHD or dyslexia". What if they do? Dyslexia might cause some letter or word transpositions, but that's not what we're seeing, is it? Did you pass 6th grade? Ok, then, you should be able to use basic punctuation, regardless of learning disability. If you can't, then obviously your teachers shouldn't have passed you.

I apologize for the rant, but HONESTLY...that trend really does tick me off. I hate having to grope for meaning through a pile of broken textual rubble. These folks do need to understand that, yes, they look STUPID. Not ignorant, not 'intellectually disabled'--stupid.

[sleepygeckos]

I think they reinforce one another's apathy. "Oh, spelling doesn't matter, you shouldn't criticize people for their spelling, what if they have ADHD or dyslexia". What if they do? Dyslexia might cause some letter or word transpositions, but that's not what we're seeing, is it? Did you pass 6th grade? Ok, then, you should be able to use basic punctuation, regardless of learning disability. If you can't, then obviously your teachers shouldn't have passed you.

Actually, this was my first thought when I read this thread, but in a different direction - In the past I've worked with "higher" functioning mentally handicapped people (not dyslexia or ADD that can be "worked around.") They hold down sheltered jobs and, in my mind, should be allowed the hobby of their choice if they can accomplish what is required. Can't they use craigslist too?

Sure you can argue that, perhaps, they could have someone look over their emails and "translate" them - but maybe they are really, really, excited about their hobby and sent the email off as soon as they received it? However we are talking about a business transaction - if you don't like it, don't bother.

On the other hand: a slick talking, nicely dressed, friend of the family sold me a car. Supposedly all fixed up after his daughter used it for a year. I got it with 5% braking power, starter went dead in weeks with the battery, driver's seat didn't adjust, and when the whole thing went kablooey 10 months later- I also found out I never had emergency flashers. I just don't trust anyone now - equal treatment that way.

[Emily Hubbard]

Actually, Twilight has reasonable grammar, punctuation, and spelling...it's a published work, after all. So, that's no excuse.

HAHAHA. True, it may have the potential to help grammar skills, but it still kills your brain in other ways.

(Honestly, I mean no offense to Twilight lovers, to each their own. I personally have a seething hatred for it so passionate that my friends find it very amusing. But read away, Twihards. Reading is good)

[snakemomma77]

I am all for correct spelling and grammer. I am constantly correcting my 13 year old. I homeschool my 9 year old, she will not be learning that slang from me. Although when I had her at a private school in second grade, she wrote down her homework from the board and put da instead of the and I went off. I told her absolutly not, I know the teacher did not write that on the board.
Another thing that gets me is the usage of homophones. Some people just don't know how to use words correctly. Don't get me started on some of the posts I read on FB (ridiculous).

[MasonC2K]

I am all for correct spelling and grammer. I am constantly correcting my 13 year old. I homeschool my 9 year old, she will not be learning that slang from me. Although when I had her at a private school in second grade, she wrote down her homework from the board and put da instead of the and I went off. I told her absolutly not, I know the teacher did not write that on the board.
Another thing that gets me is the usage of homophones. Some people just don't know how to use words correctly. Don't get me started on some of the posts I read on FB (ridiculous).

I am trying my best not to make a joke here. Willpower...failing...

I prefer to use heterophones myself.

*rimshot*