Grumpiness

The point of good grammar and punctuation is that it makes it easier to read, and therefore to understand a posting.
I'm female, over forty by quite a bit, and though I happily use txtspk when texting I wouldn't dream of using it here.
There is no limit to the number of characters you can type, nor a price attached to each message, so why not take a few seconds more to read through what you have typed, and correct it.
Firefox has a spelling checker, and I'm sure other browsers also have one, for those who have problems spelling or for those of us who's heads work faster than our fingers. Why not make use of such facilities to make a post as clear and readable as possible?

Caz,

I used the word "chaps" because the chaps are generally the culprits!

Personally, I would have no problem with Elizabethan English. Most changes to the English language come about through misuse.

G

Gwyn, that's a fair point about grammar but I just wonder if this is really such a big issue as it has been made out as. I think a degree of latitude should be accepted as not everyone would have English as their first language & not all of us will have been educated to a high standard. I do my best. I'm far from unintelligent but there is a difference between education & intelligence isn't there? I've met some educated idiots & just because I left school early doesn’t mean I am not enthusiastic about photography. I am not disagreeing with the original post; in fact the writer expresses himself very well. I just wonder if it's such an issue when photography is surely the real reason for the existence of this site. BTW I like it here & I'd like to stay, but is using BTW instead of by the way such a sin? As I'm new here I'll try & follow any standards set. It does take a while to acquire the correct social etiquette of any social group so the newbie is often walking on eggshells to begin with in any case. I do feel quote strongly that there is a risk in being too rigid in the application of language. I was born in the East End of London where words such as "ain’t” (it is not) & “watcha” (short for watch you, or I see you, in other words “hello”) are common but I wouldn't use those in an email unless I knew the recipient well as not everyone would understand. For me posting on here is a bit like using email, which is a poor medium for communication as most of what we say is in the unsaid, expressions etc. That's why I would ask for some tolerance. AFTER ALL IF I USED CAPITALS you might say I was shouting. Just shows how posting can be misread. So perhaps it’s a case of use the right language for the right audience.
That’s my two pennies worth. Sorry! Perhaps I should write “that is all I have to say on the matter for now.” I do hope that my opinion doesn’t upset anyone.
Caz

I agree with you on the English language it dose change as time go,s by there are a lot of younger members on the forum and sometimes it's the only way they talk and write and nothing will change it, so therefore the older members will have to get used to it or put up with it.

There might be members on here like G. who takes pride in the English language but he and others will have to bite the bullet and allow this type of writing within the forum as no one has the right to dictate to others on this or any other forum how they should write or how things should be set out..

Totally Agree!!

Sorry George, just seen your post. Thanks for the clarification. The last post took me ages so I missed yours. Apologies! It just annoys me when people use terms such a chaps & guys when referring to both sexes. That puts us back to the use of the English language again. I can see that you meant no offence & if we were talking face to face the matter would not have arisen as I'd have had the benefit of being able to read your expression.
Caz

Teh fcat is taht teh huamn brian is so amzaing taht we can sitll mkae out waht tihs is!!

Certainly no need for perfect grammar iz dere. But if the homey dunna have owt betr to dooo then hez gonna pik at anyfink aint he?!

Cloudhunter,

I asked you to show me where I had maligned Scotty's pictures. As you have not done so, can I assume you will now withdraw your statements and apologise?

G

George, just to add to the debate on the English Language. Should we be using Welsh if we really want to be picky about the use of English? Isn’t English a mishmash (or perhaps better expressed as a smorgasbord) of many languages? Surely the whole point of a language is to communicate. If we spoke Elizabethan now how many people could we communicate with? Just some thoughts You certainly have started an interesting thread but I'll drop out of this now as whist its great to have a discussion such as this I don't feel that it's adding to my understanding of photography & I feel the need to make a cup of tea. There is room for all, isn't there?
Caz

Tel - Actually I would have thought that anyone running a forum could set the ground rules and set the standards they require their contributors to adhere to. I have been a member of some where swearing and sexual innuendo were banned as children were encouraged to participate.

You seem to suggest that because a forum is a fairly public arena then you have the 'right' to behave in any way you see fit. My own opinion is that isn't respectful of your host and in some cases not respectful of your colleagues using the forum.

This forum seems quite relaxed about most things and I don't really think the main subject here is the ability to write fluent and grammatically correct English which seems to have become the focus but rather to show respect to others by taking care to express yourself well and hence unambiguously.

I am keenly aware that my use of English is poor and that I can inadvertently cause offence in that way so I am more careful here than when exchanging emails with friends who know me better. I don't like text speak for example but I can live with it, it's the content and the intention that's more important.

Mike

George i do nothing for you my old chum. People can read through the k20d vs d300 thread at their leisure slating scott, his pics and how he wouldnt be able to use older equipment). I presume it was to make you feel better. You know what you are.......... your a man who has a crap life and tries to suck up every bit of glory/attention that he possibly can to try and make what is an awful life feel slightly worth living. I hate what you are all about, hate your sarcasm, pathetic insults at how people talk. Its very easy to do whilst we all live miles apart. I can guarantee you one thing. If you had said the things to my face that you have said on here, you would be eating through a tube.

Anyway, im off now as i have a meal booked and dont wat to waste any more of my time talking to filth like you.

Bye bye xx

But to speak to me in that way when you know full well I'll struggle to understand it is disrespectful. Further I doubt that someone with limited English would understand it either so that it's also being exclusive rather than embracing all potential friends.

Mike

I don't think you can accuse George of dictating. He is expressing an honest opinion, much as we all are. (unless he is delibeately winding us up, and you wouldn't do that, would you, George?) George's opinion does seem to lack tolerance, though, but that is something we all do from time to time. A final challenging comment. If we don't speak to each other in perfect english, and yet are easily understood, what is the big issue of not writing in perfect english?

Your joking me right? Please please tell me you are joking.

this forumn isnt about you or me. This forum is John rileys forum, plain and simple. His cronies are malo, george and gwyn, anybody wiv half a brian can seee dat!

I don't believe George is asking for perfect English simply that people aren't overly lazy in the way they express themselves so that misunderstandings and tension are less likely to arise.

Mike