An Alarming Trend

[LV426]

So I've suddenly been inundated with a grammar faux pas that is just about to drive me crazy. Even educated people, people who should know better are doing it. My boss, my friends, even my boyfriend did it until I beat him with a stick and made him promise to never do so again. It's almost as bad as the "is is" phenomenon that Obama even participated in. The new grammar issue, "these ones". Yes people "these ones" is incorrect. It should just be "these" or "this one". Even if there is more there one it's still not correct to say "these ones". One implies singularity. One not two. There are no "these ones".


Thank you for your support.

[MorganaFang]

Oops I'm horribly guilty of this.

I'll take my flogging right away, mistress. :p

[LV426]

~pats her knee~
Come lie across my lap little girl, you've been naughty.

[NeonLightChild]

I was driving through a local neighborhood and since it's that time of year, families have their graduation signs showing off that their kid now has a high school diploma. I caught this one as I drove by: "Congratulations, (name)! We luv U and r proud!"

I almost drove off the road after reading that, and thankfully no one was coming the other way.

[WareW-Believer]

Are we expected to beat the ones we come across who is guilty of this? Those person should learn proper grammer. :D

"Congratulations, (name)! We luv U and r proud!"
That's it, I'm becoming a hermit.

[Tempest]

That's the least annoying grammar mistake I hear. I have to say that what really gets on my nerves is when I hear people say "I hungry" or similar things. I want to yell at them and say, "Are you two years old? Haven't you learned that complete sentences need a verb? Where the hell did you go to school?"

[Raiden]

I can safely say I've, surprisingly, not committed this grammar crime. How did THAT happen? :D

Shane

[john the baptist]

What about "those ones"? Do I get beat for that one too?

[J.L.R.]

I think the "texting" mentality is partly to blame. I remember helping a US ambassador fix her blackberry, and she actually said, WTF... not What the Fuck, but W.T.F.! She started chortling about how some people in her group didn't know what that meant.

I think it would be scarier if they did...

My friends constantly get on to me for using proper grammar in my text messages, and thus that is why I typically do not text, because I can't bring myself to type, "How R U". It annoys the hell out of me.

There are old bad grammar habits that plague certain parts of the US. In New York and most of the Northeast in particular, you get a lot of "You's guys" of which is incorrect as You can be both plural or singular. In the midwest you get a lot of "Ya'll" (You all), of which is sort of redundant as you can mean everyone. Another midwestern tragedy is Ain't...

Years ago, people tried to use proper grammar, but not any more... oh well...

[Sile]

My friends constantly get on to me for using proper grammar in my text messages, and thus that is why I typically do not text, because I can't bring myself to type, "How R U". It annoys the hell out of me.

I just text with grammer. I don't care if people nag at me for it. They can deal. I have no problem reading that stuff, but I don't use it.

Doesn't really bother me that much..

[NightmareVampyre]

I have found that there is less chances of being misunderstood or a sentence mistinterpreted when one uses proper grammar and logical sentence structure. I am not against using the text speak, but for normal conversations, it can be unecessary and a bit irritating.

Like Sile said, I too text with proper grammar.

[J.L.R.]

I'm not saying textese is wrong. It is a form of short hand. Some of the style is the same that is used when I learned journalism writing. It helps get things across is a short concise method.

The problem is when you start hearing people bring that into every day conversations. It is like they want to short hand their own speech.

My cousin is an English Professor at OSU and she constantly has to beat her students over the heads for using "text" grammar in their essays.

Then again, within the next five years we will all be forced to learn Spanish and annex Mexico as yet another state...so who cares about grammar any more....:rockon: :D

[NightmareVampyre]

I'm not saying textese is wrong. It is a form of short hand. Some of the style is the same that is used when I learned journalism writing. It helps get things across is a short concise method.

The problem is when you start hearing people bring that into every day conversations. It is like they want to short hand their own speech.



Exactly, there is nothing wrong with it when used in the proper way, for instance, a text message. In fact, I have a more difficult time writing in text speak than I do normally. For some reason, it requires more thinking to write or type less.

I've never been too fond of text speak, but it does have its uses.

[Sile]

I've never been too fond of text speak, but it does have its uses.


But, as previously said, it can and does get out of hand. My mama is a a college professor, and she came to me one day, comepletely flustered. She was TRYING to learn it, but was still getting onto her kids for it.

I looked at her like she was crazy and said, "You only need the simple things."

And, is FYI chat speak, or how long has that shortened term been around? Long as I can remember, my mama used it at me when I argued with her, and she would be, (After she cold-shouldered me) And FYI, you're grounded.

[Wolf-Bone]

I have and will continue to use "y'all" just because it's convenient and in the context it's typically used, it's usually pretty clear who the "all" refers to. Ain't is really just a shortened "are not" or "is not". Again, this is just common sense. The thing with English is it's inherently difficult to establish just what is and isn't "proper". And a lot of "vulgar" English has been around much longer than its "proper" variant, so I ain't even trying to hear some appeal to tradition bullshit.

In my own speech, I try my best to express what I'm thinking and feeling, and I've come to just accept the reality that some won't be able to relate no matter how I put it; that there may not even be a proper "translation" for them. Language is not just code, it is the expression of a culmination of experiences and ideas.

[MetaKittie]

I hate when people use text talk.
It has to be the most annoying thing. Especially on the internet. I've lost a few friends because I'm so anal about it.
The worst, you say?
When they say "Kay" instead of "Okay". My math teacher does this every five seconds. My name is Kei and pronounced the exact same way. So when she lectures or explains things to the class, I cringe the entire time.

And sometimes I say ain't. You can beat me for it, but when I get pissed my damn accent comes out. Curses! I really try hard to hide it.

[Wolf-Bone]

I hate when people use text talk.
It has to be the most annoying thing. Especially on the internet. I've lost a few friends because I'm so anal about it.
The worst, you say?
When they say "Kay" instead of "Okay". My math teacher does this every five seconds. My name is Kei and pronounced the exact same way. So when she lectures or explains things to the class, I cringe the entire time.

Again, it can be argued that just makes sense because it's just "ok" in a single syllable and it's convenient.

Now, "why come" instead of "how come" on the other hand...

[MetaKittie]

Again, it can be argued that just makes sense because it's just "ok" in a single syllable and it's convenient.

Now, "why come" instead of "how come" on the other hand...

I just wish people would say "Okay" and not drive me insane.
My three year old niece can't form sentences, its terrible. She usually says "But nana say I can" etc. It drives me crazy, I try correcting her, but its an impossible mission.

[Wolf-Bone]

I just wish people would say "Okay" and not drive me insane.
My three year old niece can't form sentences, its terrible. She usually says "But nana say I can" etc. It drives me crazy, I try correcting her, but its an impossible mission.

At three, it's not such a big deal. If she's still doing it at six...

[Tempest]

And, is FYI chat speak, or how long has that shortened term been around?

FYI is not chat speak, but I couldn't say how long it's been around.

I feel bad for any teacher who has to read massive amounts of essay with text speak. Some kids don't even use spell-check, and once I heard a girl complaining about how the teacher deducted points because her paper was all one paragraph. She said she didn't know when to start a new paragraph. I'm beginning to lose hope for humanity (or should I say "loose"? :p).

I have to agree with Wolf-Bone on some points, though. Y'all and you guys don't bother me. "You" in the English language is pretty vague. It can mean you in general or you specifically. Y'all and you guys makes it clear that you're using you in the general sense.

[Chriz]

I'm not saying textese is wrong. It is a form of short hand. Some of the style is the same that is used when I learned journalism writing. It helps get things across is a short concise method.

IMHO, there's no excuse for a shorthand when there's no actual need for a shorthand. Journalists use a shorthand -- such as leaving out the last comma in a series of normally comma-separated items (for example, using "red, white and blue" rather than "red, white, and blue") -- because they have limited physical space on the page.

Likewise, in chat, you usually need a shorthand because you want to express yourself as quickly as you could otherwise speak. If you can't type quickly, you can use chat-speak, even if many of us don't like it.

But there's no excuse in using anything but the best grammar and spelling you're capable of when posting a message like this in a forum. In fact, you really should go through and proofread your post, too.

[SheetCountRising]

Does anyone else get flustered whenever someone says "Oops. My bad."

[Binkx]

I use both "ain't" and "y'all" on a daily basis. I don't know anyone in my area who doesn't. I grew up thinking it as part of the English language to begin with. I didn't know that they weren't proper English till 6th grade when my literature teacher lectured the class about our using it.

As far as textese goes. Leave it to text messages and chat. It's no wonder most kids cannot spell anymore, they don't have to when they communicate. I remember before cellphones we had to write notes, and most of us wrote properly out of force of habit. I can't even do textese and won't try to force myself to either.

My only problem is when people just make up words or use words in the wrong context. I find this a lot everywhere I go. Many kids in my neighborhood are using "Inoha" (at least that's how one of them told me it was spelled). I have no idea what it means. They say it when greeting, when leaving, and every other sentence in between.

[Wolf-Bone]

Many kids in my neighborhood are using "Inoha" (at least that's how one of them told me it was spelled). I have no idea what it means. They say it when greeting, when leaving, and every other sentence in between.

It's Japanese so it's probably some anime bullshit.

[BlasphemousHeart]

Why do you keep blaming anime for crap Wolfie? I started learning random clips of different languages without anime, it's not to blame for everything....

[Wolf-Bone]

Why do you keep blaming anime for crap Wolfie? I started learning random clips of different languages without anime, it's not to blame for everything....

Yes, I'm totally scapegoating anime for the slow death march the English language is on. That's what this is all about. It couldn't at all be that I googled "inoha" in hopes of helping Binkx gain some insight as to why she's having these strange encounters of people using the word, whatever it means as a greeting, a farewell, and an expression for something.

That it's Japanese was actually the only thing I found in my brief google search. My first guess was it being an acronym for something. My second guess was perhaps it's a funny way of saying aloha. But so far all I can find is it's Japanese. Now, would it be the first time anime fans have started incorporating Japanese words into their vernacular to the utter bafflement of everyone else?

[J.L.R.]

Yes, I'm totally scapegoating anime for the slow death march the English language is on. That's what this is all about. It couldn't at all be that I googled "inoha" in hopes of helping Binkx gain some insight as to why she's having these strange encounters of people using the word, whatever it means as a greeting, a farewell, and an expression for something.

That it's Japanese was actually the only thing I found in my brief google search. My first guess was it being an acronym for something. My second guess was perhaps it's a funny way of saying aloha. But so far all I can find is it's Japanese. Now, would it be the first time anime fans have started incorporating Japanese words into their vernacular to the utter bafflement of everyone else?

Death march of the English language? What are you... British? The English commonly spoken in the United States is vastly different than that which is spoken in Great Britian. I don't know much about Canadian English, other than the frequent... "Eh"... :D I believe there is some French influence in Canada as well...
However, Americanized English borrows a vast amount of its words from other languages. Words like, rodeo, lasso, taco, burrito, delve from Spanish. My brain is too tired to reveal other non-traditional English words, but there are literally thousands in our vocabulary that aren't traditionally spoken in traditional English.

Never heard of "inoha" though... It could also be Native American. In fact it almost sounds like that. Then again, it could be a bastardization of the word, "Aloha" the Hawaiian "hello".

Does anyone else get flustered whenever someone says "Oops. My bad."

Only when you know that they really didn't mean it. :D

[SheetCountRising]

There is no Japanese word 'inoha'. Either its some complete mispronunciation of a word (as if English-language speakers are blameless..."May I <aks> you a question?"), or its not Japanese. And I googled Inoha myself, to discover it ONLY comes up as an uncommon Japanese name. Particularly because that combination of syllables in Japanese is rather archaic. For words in Japanese made up of multiple syllables, where multiple Japanese characters (well, kanji are borrowed from the Chinese) are involved, the -ha would become -ba or -pa. Such as Kobayashi (ko - small, hayashi - woods)...its a family name in Japanese, but you will never hear it pronounced 'kohayashi'

[greggchamberlain]

Oops I'm horribly guilty of this.

I'll take my flogging right away, mistress. :p


hmmmm...

where is the line for this job?

:D

come on, morgana, you know you were leaving yourself open for this reply (in some form or other).

:D

to be more serious, in keeping with the thread now...

i am a working journalist and have been for more than 30 years (yes, folks, back before the days of the World Wide Web, the Internet, and reality T.V... When Dinosaurs Walked The Earth!!!!!), and so i dance with words a lot for a living.

now, i have no problem with textspeak in its place...texting a message to someone of their cellphone or blackberry or whatever device they are using. spoken conversation...well...since most in my generation are used to chatting/rapping/gabbing we tend to use more normal speech...with whatever slang or other vernacular dialect bits we have picked up during our lifetimes or is normal for where we live (ta-merci, for example, "gittin' jest a tad peeved here, man!", "meh!" which is carrier for "yes" and the only carrier word i know... "gonna toss that arse in the saltchuck if he don't mind his manners" and, of course, "that's damn skookum timbits, man!").

when dealing with younger folks, well, most of the time i can figure out what they are saying from context. if i do not then i ask for a translation.

but in any kind of formal writing like term papers, etc. then, yes, proper English (or French or Spanish or whatever) should be the norm. not to say that language should not be fluid, able to evolve, and all that. but need to have some kind of common ground otherwise Babel ensues.

[NeonLightChild]

I'd like to start with who's responsible: ENGLISH TEACHERS, PARENTS and ultimately, OURSELVES. What gives me such a diverse vocabulary and good sentence structure in writing isn't a thesaurus (although it helps), it's having read stacks and stacks of books when I was a young child, and having parents who wanted me to love books. We were lucky to have had availability to a good library from whence those books came, and my parents didn't use the teevee or any gaming system as a baby sitter.

I can't fault parents for not having money to buy books, or living near a shitty library with no selection, or hell, even living in a place where no library is nearby. Because sometimes life happens, and you just find yourself wherever you happen to be and you make the best of it.

However, that is no excuse for not being able to write a basic sentence. I bring back this thread because I am in a community college writing class, and I need to rant about the quality of writing that I am seeing. This is a course for students out of high school (the college gave me credit for 100 and 102, but not this 101 course, so I'm jumping through their hoops and taking it), but even out of high school, I'm seeing nothing worth raving about. Maybe I'm just not editing the right papers, but when sentences like "Custodian and construction workers jobs, a lot of those hard workers get fired because illegal immigrants can get paid less for doing the same job there doing" are the norm--don't even make me mention the ebonics "soul sister speak" in the first essay I reviewed--something isn't right. And yes, I do have some adults in my class who have been out of school for a while, and their former professions haven't exactly been the best environments to learn academic English. Most if not all the papers I peer review in this class feel as though the person is writing VERBATIM what they would say about the topic. I don't want verbatim...if the college wanted that, this course would be called "Speech," and they wouldn't have already given me credit for taking it.

Granted, I didn't write like I currently do straight out of high school, so I know I've improved...I've read through some high school writings and facepalmed myself. I was fucking IMMATURE, to say the least. (Take it from me, MATURE is a much better bed partner.) My English teacher probably said something about it...I don't remember.

But something, somewhere in our schools needs to give. Teachers need to start TEACHING and not just grading. And of course, the students need to start TRYING and not just relying on the changes teachers suggest (and by "suggest"ing, I mean "rewriting the paper"). So really, this whole thing does come down to the parent-teacher-child triangle. I'm just sick of people my age who can't write a decent sentence to save their lives, and even though we've written 3 essays already, done a multitude of grammar and editing exercises, and even have a handout of basic "Do/Don't Rules for Effective Writing," I see little to no improvement through drafts. People start their essays a day before it is due, rather than much earlier...never mind that we were given all prompts and topics at the beginning of the course so that we could start them whenever the hell we wanted.

Nobody knows how to write AROUND a source, how to engage it and critique it. Few understand how to effectively compare and contrast multiple sources or ideas. Annotated bibliography? Hell, I've never had to do one before, but I did it...and of the papers I reviewed on Tuesday, I saw all types of annotations, from one huge paragraph about ALL the sources used, to none at all. OH YEAH, we received a handout on that a week ago that HAD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES from which one might learn how to effectively write an annotated bibliography. :banghead:

I'm seriously kicking myself for not appealing the college to PLEASE let me not take this class. Maybe I'm just full of hot air ranting about all this, and by no means am I trying to say that I'm a perfect writer and everyone else sucks! I believe there's actually one or two decent writers in my class, but that's just in my class alone...I can't speak for the entire college or heaven forbid, everyone else! Suffice to say that the English language is indeed going downhill, and while we can't blame anyone but ourselves (well, at least those who don't give a damn), I can think of a few parties who need to actually put in some effort to make sure we can at least write some well-constructed sentences. I'm not expecting everyone to be able to write a 20-page research paper; I just want to see a well-written, basic essay that isn't just 3-4 pages of bullshit English.

And there ends my rant. Just thought I'd keep this thread going rather than start a new one.

[Chiron Jackal]

Maybe I'm just not editing the right papers, but when sentences like "Custodian and construction workers jobs, a lot of those hard workers get fired because illegal immigrants can get paid less for doing the same job there doing" are the norm--don't even make me mention the ebonics "soul sister speak" in the first essay I reviewed--something isn't right.

My ex got a paper from a college student and it was called, "The Lakota Wonder The Outcome When Whirlwind Bank The White Man," and this was not one of the lowest points in the paper's grammar and sentence structure.

English is her fist language. He explained that "bank the white man" doesn't make sense. She re-wrote the paper.

It had the same title.

[Tempest]

Amen, NLC! Last year I took an online sociology class, and the professor divided us into groups of 5 and told us to write a 5 page paper on a social issue. That's a nightmare for me to begin with because I hate group projects and coordinating them online is tough. Turns out that one of my partners had stopped coming online but didn't withdraw, so we were already down one. I immediately told everyone that I wanted to be the one to proofread the paper, make transitions between everyone's parts of the paper so it flowed, write the conclusion/intro, and turn it in. The reason for that is that I know that most people my age cannot write for shit.

I am so glad that I did that because it was horrible. First of all, it took 3 weeks for people to decide on a topic, which was ridiculous because we had a deadline for that. One of my other partners sent me an e-mail telling me he'd been in the hospital but would get me his part of the paper soon. That didn't happen though, and I didn't get the other parts until the day before it was due, even though I told them to get it to me a week beforehand so I'd have time to proofread it all. The writing was horrid. I truly lost all hope for my generation. One guy had about half a page of his opinion on obesity (our topic) and almost a third of his part of the essay was straight quotes from various sources. The other girl also overused quotes, although her writing wasn't nearly as bad as the other person's.

I ended up not only rewriting most of what was given to me, but I also had to write two pages because of our other partners never showing up. I also doubled checked everyone's sources to make sure they got all the information right, and found out that one of them used a children's book. Yeah, a kid's book for a college course. This apparently is common practice because I've seen it frequently at the library I work at. I guess it's easier than actually learning something.

Most students my own age have proven to be more interested in texting their friends and procrastinating than actually learning. But then they whine about how the professor moves too fast or grades too harshly or doesn't explain things well enough. It drives me crazy, and I'm glad to finally be out of my support courses and into my actual program because we've all worked hard to get into this damn program and we actually care about it.

I can't place all the blame on the students though. My high school did a pathetic job of teaching me grammar, and most of it I've learned on my own in the past year or two. I think part of this is that there are so many standardized tests that teachers need to teach for that they can't focus on things that they want to teach. We've become so obsessed with test scores and proving our students above average that we've shortchanged an entire generation.

And yes, lack of parental support for reading is a problem too. I went to the library every week from when I was in a stroller to when I was 16 or so. I've always loved reading, and my mom was a role model for me since she's always been a voracious reader. Most parents these days gravitate towards the DVD section of the library now. What message does that send to your kids? "Reading is important, even though I don't do it and all I get from the library is magazines and movies." It's crazy how obsessed people are with DVDs. If I come out with a cart of them, people will follow me because they think there might be something new on there. I'm not kidding! Sometimes I just leave it out there because I can't get through the mass of people to do my job.

Anyway. This is getting to be a post that DW and JLR could be proud of, so I'll /rant. :p

[NeonLightChild]

English is her first language. ...She re-wrote the paper. It had the same title.
OUCH. Seriously, that hurt me just READing it. I'm gonna go cry.

What the hell kind of title was that anyway? I couldn't even determine a vague topic out of that mishmash.

My high school did a pathetic job of teaching me grammar, and most of it I've learned on my own in the past year or two. I think part of this is that there are so many standardized tests that teachers need to teach for that they can't focus on things that they want to teach. We've become so obsessed with test scores and proving our students above average that we've shortchanged an entire generation.
The teachers made a half-hearted effort in middle school to make us watch and learn from the School House Rock grammar video. All we did was memorize the catchy tunes.

I think the one teacher who actually tried to help us learn was too little, too late. My freshman English teacher would have little 10-15 minute "Grammar moments" or "Writing moments" at the beginning of each class, and we'd be quizzed on them weekly. I actually did learn a little bit from those, but I don't think they helped in the big picture. Had we been able to have those lessons on a regular basis back in elementary or even middle school, maybe my class would have really seen some improvement.

And that's what's going on in a good school...I am thankful to live in a very highly rated school district, but that still doesn't mean everyone knows the basics as well as they should!

[kathryn]

Language evolves, devolves, is recycled, reused, refused, and spat back out again to go through the entire process. :/

YES, it is better for people to use better grammar. Using a higher vocabulary or even grammar that actually sounds like it's correct is good overall. After all, you don't see someone in the White house saying "Hey, y'all, got s'm gooooood eatin' food out back, y' wanna join fer some o' tat 'olesome pork onna stick?"

*Shudder* Ugh. No, that person would be shot and tossed out.


This is kind of a random comment, but for some reason I've never had people tease me about writing correctly and properly in text messages. Only on chatrooms. :/

[Piscean Mora]

I don't care that much about it unless it's in a serious context, like on an essay for a class or something. I always joke around like that with my friends, for instance, I've gotten used to saying "Rofl" at almost anything I see as funny. It's gotten so bad my friend Geoff finishes it with "sauce".

The "U can haz" thing is about the only other thing I can think of that I do on purpose, but I just think this stuff is humorous.

[GhostBat]

This is kind of a random comment, but for some reason I've never had people tease me about writing correctly and properly in text messages. Only on chatrooms. :/

I know some intelligent people who type with AOL speak in text messages, and even though I know it's easier and faster to type that way when you have three letters per button (most phones now have fancy keyboards, but I mean the old school style phones), it still rubs me the wrong way. I'm OCD, I'm aware.

I type everything out, no matter if it's a phone, chat, forum, etc. I mean, I can excuse someone from using AOL speak on a phone, but anywhere else is just ridiculous.

[HappyWolf]

I think theirs 2 many peple beeng judging on otehrs who speak in shorthand and its relly not cool.

:D

In all seriousness, there's really no excuse to not use every opportunity to improve your grammar and spelling when you type anything. Your english teacher will appreciate it!

[Sinanju]

I found this card today and my eyes have been opened to the truth of life: Bad grammar only makes things better. I swear to god I saw this same discussion here 6 months ago. :rolleyes:. If you have issues with grammar, take it up with Oba-mao.


In all seriousness, there's really no excuse to not use every opportunity to improve your grammar and spelling when you type anything.

Sure there is, it makes you "that guy".

http://i675.photobucket.com/albums/vv115/Chengdutrip/obamao024.jpg

[MetaKittie]

The only text talk I will begrudgingly use is IDK, because sometimes I don't feel like typing the darn thing out or don't have space enough.

[LUCIDmoon]

I use ya'll on a daily basis, but I can't stand "ain't." My mom uses ain't, and darn, and dang. It's hilarious really. My grammar is pretty good, if I do say so myself, and reading bad grammar just drives me crazy!

On the subject of chatspeak, I usually mix the two-- good grammar and chatspeak-- when chatting or texting. I'm guilty of using "lol" alot, and "lmao", "rofl", etcetra. But yes, it does drive my friends crazy when I type out entire sentences instead of shortening them, because it takes me longer to reply, lol. [there it is ;D]

But really, grammar mostly comes down to culture, and the area you live in. I grew up hearing "ya'll" and "ain't" every day. My father was from Ohio, and he had a very thick accent. But it was strange, kinda mixed with southern, since he'd lived in Texas so long. But Ohio's version of ya'll is even worse. They say "you'uns" instead. Well, according to my dad anyway.

The only reason I have good grammar, considering the accents I grew up around, is beacuse of books. My mom and dad and big sisters always used to read to me before bed when I was little. I grew up in a house of avid readers. It had nothing whatsoever to do with my teachers.

I hate bad grammar as much as anyone, but sometimes you have to deal with it, considering where people grew up and their accent and such. Alot of people were raised to speak the way they do, and were never reprimanded for it or taught otherwise. Which is very annoying, yes, but not entirely their fault. ;D

[Necro Mortis]

These is the times of our liveses. I've never used text speak. I abhor it and it’s worse when people use it in chat.
Exactly HOW much quicker is it to type "You" instead of "u", especially on a computer for christs sake? Try this, type the following:
hw r u?
How are you?

I found about half a second between the two. People can't spare half a second more thought? Pathetic. My spelling and grammar aren't great but I always use full words. Even while texting.

[Hoplite]

my grammar is ok...people making grammatical mistakes usually doesn't annoy me..however, if the mistakes occur quite frequently, it could be a bit irritating...

of course you remember gollum from the Lord of the Rings (J.R.R. Tolkein)...i love his grammer, and am trying to adopt it just for the sake of fun :D

here are some random quotes be gollum

"Smeagol promised.
yes, yes, my precious. we promised: to save our Precious, not to let Him have it - never...What's the hobbit going to do with it, we wonders, yes we wonders.

But if we was master, then we could help ourselfs, yes, and still keep promises.

We hates Bagginses.

We wants it.

No birds here. There are snakeses, wormses, things in the pool. Lots of things, lots of nasty things. No birds.
"

:)

[Sinanju]

. I abhor it and it’s worse when people use it in chat.
Exactly HOW much quicker is it to type "You" instead of "u",

Maybe to you norms but I'm living the high-speed-low-drag-operator lifestyle and for every second lost pleasing internet grammarians I'm not banging hot chicks or saving orphans in a burning bus from falling off a cliff. Sorry grammarians, the orphans come first. If you totaled up all the man-hours lost on correct grammar in text messages and combined them in the LHC I bet you could solve global warming or bigger questions like how these giant dust bunnies keep piling up in my room in massive quantities even though my window is closed and air conditioner is off.

[Vendetta]

I'm not banging hot chicks
So far this is the only true statement I can find in this whole post Saz. :D

[Vaultdweller]

Dis is lo cultcha and you ain't got no cuntrol!

[Vampirelordx]

I don't see what the problem is I mean, ya sure it's sad that people don't use the proper grammer, but, if they don't wanna that's there choice. To me as long as it's readable ( or is it readible?) it's cool with me.

[GhostBat]

I don't see what the problem is I mean, ya sure it's sad that people don't use the proper grammer, but, if they don't wanna that's there choice. To me as long as it's readable ( or is it readible?) it's cool with me.

It's a problem because it's a sign of laziness. Why should anyone take what you say seriously if you can't even be bothered to deliver it in as comprehensible a way as possible?

[Sinanju]

It's a problem because it's a sign of laziness. Why should anyone take what you say seriously if you can't even be bothered to deliver it in as comprehensible a way as possible?

This is a site where every third post is either "How do I become a werewolf irl" or "I'm a werewolf IRL ask me some questions" so I don't think this is much of a concern HTH. Also I don't take people seriously when they nitpick stupid irrelevant grammar issues it just makes me think they are internet sperglords.

[GhostBat]

Also I don't take people seriously when they nitpick stupid irrelevant grammar issues it just makes me think they are internet sperglords.

There's a difference between being a grammar natzi and wanting people to post something that's enjoyable to read. :p