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 29/09/2008, 9:47 AM
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AllMouthNoTrousers
 
Joined on 21/02/2008
Weston
Posts 373
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Spelling and punctuation - does it really matter?
Several anonymous forum users have criticised me for suggesting that these things are important. But I think good, clear use of language is key when communicating with others.
Though high standards in spelling and grammar seem unimportant to many, I take pride in using them well. I would be embarrassed to have such a limited grasp of my mother tongue. If you have something to say, take the time to say it properly.
But what does everyone else think? Does spelling really matter?
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29/09/2008, 12:51 PM
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Sun Tzu
Joined on 07/08/2008
Posts 161
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Re: Does spelling matter?
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29/09/2008, 4:07 PM
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The Sundance Kid
Joined on 29/09/2008
Posts 5
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Re: Does spelling matter?
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30/09/2008, 11:43 AM
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aza
Joined on 20/05/2008
WsM
Posts 75
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Re: Does spelling matter?
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I find it brilliant that my last 2 posts haven't made it onto here! Yes spelling is important.
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30/09/2008, 9:00 PM
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Morticia
Joined on 26/09/2008
Posts 8
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Re: Does spelling matter?
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We need to try to keep the levels of grammar, syntax and spelling high ... otherwise outsiders will think we are a bunch of illiterate half-wits down here in the West Country.
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07/10/2008, 2:02 AM
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lemoncakes
Joined on 09/06/2008
Weston-super-Mare
Posts 264
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Re: Does spelling matter?
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nope. helps on CV's I guess ?
I'm a Video blogger and an Internet Thingy too!
You can twitter me: @lemonknickers
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07/10/2008, 9:51 PM
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Sean Miller
Joined on 02/10/2008
Central Somerset
Posts 132
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Re: Does spelling matter?
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For me it is important, I'm afraid.
When you read e-mails they're short, and you put up with it, but an entire book with no attention to grammatical detail would completely blow my mind. I'd probably be suicidal after chapter 2!!
The "it's" and "its" issue is particularly galling... why, precisely, do people seem to have such an issue with this? Surely it's simple enough? "its" is a gender-neutral version of "his" or "hers"... would you say "her's"?? And the inability of people to distinguish "there" (a location) from "their" (a possessive) bemuses me even more.
Damn! I'm sounding like an academic... better disappear for the evening now, but just to say DON'T give up on grammar. The English language is actually a joy to use, let's not misuse it.
Sean
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08/10/2008, 10:58 AM
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aza
Joined on 20/05/2008
WsM
Posts 75
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Re: Does spelling matter?
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You're forgetting a couple of gems, there instead of they're and your instead of you're. Damn annoying.
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08/10/2008, 1:01 PM
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lemoncakes
Joined on 09/06/2008
Weston-super-Mare
Posts 264
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Re: Does spelling matter?
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I can see why it's important in boots for meds :-)
I'm a Video blogger and an Internet Thingy too!
You can twitter me: @lemonknickers
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09/10/2008, 7:07 AM
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Sean Miller
Joined on 02/10/2008
Central Somerset
Posts 132
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Re: Does spelling matter?
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 lemoncakes wrote: | I can see why it's important in boots for meds :-)
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Que?
The book "Eats shoots and leaves" is a good read, makes some very pertinent observations about improper use of punctuation and its potential for creating disasters.
The title itself is an amusing little anecdote, for those that haven't read the book (or heard it, I have it on an audio book that came free with some Sunday paper or other a while back) - basically a panda goes into a bar, orders a meal then whips out a gun and murders the barman and several nearby customers. A few minutes later the Police arrive and find the panda just down the road, chewing on some bamboo shoots. "Why did you do it?" says the bemused copper. The panda takes him to a library where they open an encylopoedia and sure enough there it says "Panda: native of South East Asia. Eats, shoots and leaves".
Ah, the tragedy of a misplaced comma. The barman's family later released a statement (this bit is made up by me)... "Were very greatful for all the support - its good to no we have so many folk's thinking about us"
Sean
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09/10/2008, 11:25 AM
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Sean Miller
Joined on 02/10/2008
Central Somerset
Posts 132
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Re: Does spelling matter?
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Did you see that tribute that friends of the late Kirstie Foster (the horse-mad girl from Shropshire whose dad went mad over the August Bank Holiday weekend with a gun, a match and lots of oil) posted on Youtube.
It was moving, touching (it made me cry, actually - it was beautiful in its sincerity as clearly the people who made it loved Kirstie a lot and are going to miss her for years to come) but completely and utterly illiterate. The words that were put on that video with such good intentions merely, for me, showed that the education system is crumbling. They knew what they wanted to say, but couldn't say it properly - because they didn't actually KNOW HOW.
It worries me that so many people don't seem to be able to string a sentence together... words can be such beautiful things when used right and "cya m8" does nothing for me.
Sean
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09/10/2008, 3:07 PM
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Morticia
Joined on 26/09/2008
Posts 8
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Re: Does spelling matter?
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My personal hate is the use of the word "of" instead of "have" ... as in "could of / should of / would of" rather than "could have / should have / would have" ... I know I shouldn't let it get to me, but it really riles me!
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09/10/2008, 3:46 PM
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Sean Miller
Joined on 02/10/2008
Central Somerset
Posts 132
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Re: Does spelling matter?
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| Morticia wrote: | My personal hate is the use of the word "of" instead of "have" ... as in "could of / should of / would of" rather than "could have / should have / would have" ... I know I shouldn't let it get to me, but it really riles me!
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That's surely a bit of a Somerset thing, rather than ignorance... I've grown up with the idea of "of", and now just accept it as how us folks talk, when off guard... "I could of gone to the Grand Pier today if that gert big fire 'adn't got it" etc.
Sean
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The Weston Merc... » General » General chat » Does spelling matter?
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