Can I make a suggestion?

[AlexMarie15]

I think native English speakers underestimate how difficult it is, and how great of an achievement it is, for a non-Native speaker to write in English. There are plenty of individuals who complain about others' punctuation and grammar, yet make mistakes themselves. In my younger years, I may have made similar complaints, but the more exposed to world I become, and the more education I acquire, I realize how tricky language is. I don't comment often, but since I majored in English, and shall be going after a PhD in the philosophy of language, this thread sparked my defense mechanism of non-Native speakers. I'm not sure what threads the OP is referring to, but I do know that even the best English speakers make mistakes. It just takes a bit of graciousness to be understanding of the difficulty some have with writing and speaking in a language not "natural" to them. Also, imagine typing in a language that isn't native to you. I know my written Spanish and French would look pitiful, currently, to native speakers.

 

[Just_Me_D]

Let me review. No one in this thread, at least from what I've read, stated that they do not or would not attempt to assist a member whose post/thread is difficult to understand based, in part, on poor grammar. The numerous people who have replied in this thread are quick to offer assistance whenever they can. A suggestion was made by the OP of which some of us are in agreement. It would indeed be easier to assist a person if what they posted were clearly relayed. That is a fact! Heck, we've had numerous people create a thread in their native language, and I've personally copied that information and pasted it via Google translate in an attempt to assist him or her. The OP made a suggestion of which some took it as a criticism. There are suggestions offered via the following link.

http://forums.imore.com/ask-question/383823-please-read-before-posting.html

Is the OP criticizing members for omitting pertinent information or is he offering suggestions that would be helpful to those of us who seek to help them?

 

[Spencerdl]

Maybe this subject and/or thread should just be closed.

 

[Spencerdl]

I want to formally apologize for taking this thread where it should have never gone. I forgot one of the first rules of being a Moderator, "don't take it personal". Just to let you know why, my son happens to be mentally challenged and it's just a little upsetting when people assume that everyone knows how to use correct English, punctuation and spelling. You never know what's going on with a person.

 

[Just_Me_D]

I want to formally apologize for taking this thread where it should have never gone. I forgot one of the first rules of being a Moderator, "don't take it personal". Just to let you know why, my son happens to be mentally challenged and it's just a little upsetting when people assume that everyone knows how to use correct English, punctuation and spelling. You never know what's going on with a person.

No harm done...

 

[lemony0]

My pet peeve is the misuse of "then" and "than".

The amount of people that confuse to and too is far two high.

 

[DarlaMack]

Nuff Sed!!!

 

[JustMcKay]

This is America, speak American!

 

[Tartarus]

Interesting read:
https://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/english-language

 

[zerog46]

I hear you......I'm currently in NC, but I'm from FL, and working on moving back there. The taxes here are killing me...

Love it. Not to change the subject.

 

[pr1nce]

Usually I understand what they're referring to. If I don't, I just move on. It's not worth getting frustrated or upset over.

 

[wilber1]

So True .......... Relax-- Be Happy

 

[Remington Steel]

Hey ya'll. I speak southern so let me know if you don't understand some of my post. My tongue gets wrapped around my eye teeth sometimes and I can't see what I'ma saying.

Just having some fun but the Southern part is correct. A cross between NC and GA. LOL

I remember back in college, I had a 30 minute argument with a professor over the use of the word "ya'll". I grew up in GA, come from an educated family who can talk slang with the best of them, but knows WHEN and WHERE to use "proper English". I told him it's not that serious dude. I now have a Ph.D and still talk "southern/slang" when I am in a "relaxed" environment....so sue me. Lol

 

[rdstryr]

There, their, they're. It will be okay.

 

[Ledsteplin]

I remember back in college, I had a 30 minute argument with a professor over the use of the word "ya'll". I grew up in GA, come from an educated family who can talk slang with the best of them, but knows WHEN and WHERE to use "proper English". I told him it's not that serious dude. I now have a Ph.D and still talk "southern/slang" when I am in a "relaxed" environment....so sue me. Lol

It's "y'all". LOL

 

[Shanicenicolle]

Slangs are dialects. It baffles me that United States citizens will recognize different versions of Spanish as dialects but have an issue when someone speaks AAVE. It's a dialect like any other and has common rules that are followed. The Spanish I speak (being Puerto Rican) is the equivalent of what is considered slang to English here in the US, lol.

Edited to add: not saying that's what everyone here is doing, it's just on topic and something that genuinely baffles me.

 

[Remington Steel]

It's "y'all". LOL

Yeah....that's what I meant.