Elementary education for squeakers

[Neubob]

I've noticed that the newest batch of teenagers doesn't just lack basic spelling skills, but has completely turned its collective back on punctuation too. I won't even start on grammar, because that ship has evidently sailed and sunk years ago.

I blame this problem mostly on modern communication trends, namely the current obsession with text and instant messaging--two things I use on a daily basis myself but never had available as a child.

My wish is that AH somehow fixes this. Make the squeakers less ignorant... please? Teach them to use letters to make proper words, and words to create readable, recognizable human speech. If necessary, make them sound it out.

And do teach them that those funny dots found at the ends sentences are only their to help. Teach them that commas are not to be feared! Teach them that they will NOT get more women, or automatically be handed a career in hip hop just because they sound like they learned English in prison, or worse, on AIM.

For the love of god, please please please....

[AirFlyer]

Don't group as all together. It never seemed to be a problem for me and I'm only 16. Then again I blame cellphones, no means of typing should be done with just thumbs.

[Motherland]

I think an IQ test should be mandatory....

[Rollins]

Or mandatory...

[Motherland]

Originally posted by EndofSilence
Or mandatory...

hrm... What?

[WMLute]

I found this interesting.

When you dial a telephone, do you use your index finger, or your thumb?

If you are 35-40yrs old or older, you probably use your index finger.

If you are 30-35yrs old or younger, you probably use your thumb.

[Neubob]

I've never seen anybody use their index finger to dial on a cellphone, nor have I see anybody do it on a cordless. It's impractical because it uses both hands.

[SD67]

I can still remember actually "dialling" the telephone number.
Having said that I use my thumb these days.

[raider73]

yes i'm 14 and i have horrible spelling and puncation. I'm in highschool and get c- in english. Grammar just doesnt seem like the funnest thing to learn, I'm all for science and math

[Ghosth]

Raider, think of it this way.

In order for anyone else, to truly understand what it is you think, believe, etc.
You must be able to communicate with them intelligently. That is to use the same STANDARD of communication. Same with 2 computers communicating.

Without a minimum basic standard for comprehension, there is no communication.

Without basic spelling, punctuation, sentence structure no one is going to understand what you have to say.

You could be Einstein, and no one would care or listen to what you have to say.
If you want to be heard, and understood you need to follow the rules.

[moot]

Raider
Math is the language of sciences, and language is paramount to any success in any work you would do in the sciences, for the reasons Ghost points out. Math is the last place you want to make syntaxical or spelling errors. The more languages you learn, the easier science and math get.  Just take English Grammar as a good cheap little practice to ace before you start with the real thing.
Saying something is boring is one of the worst things you could say about yourself.

Bob
Their's nothing to worry about!

[KTM520guy]

Originally posted by raider73
I'm in highschool and get c- in english.  

This made me laugh. Or, "I LOL'ed" for all you youngins' out there.

[SuBWaYCH]

Me, Oogly50, MstWntd and Latrobe get automatic exemption from this group.

Regards,
Subway

[Saxman]

Originally posted by Neubob
And do teach them that those funny dots found at the ends sentences are only their to help.

Sorry, but couldn't resist after the long tirade on grammar.

[Neubob]

Originally posted by Saxman
Sorry, but couldn't resist after the long tirade on grammar.

Yeah, pretty shameful... But I will explain the anatomy of the mistake.

The original sentence was: 'and please do teach them that those funny dots at the ends of sentences are their friends, and not to be feared.'

Then I edited the sentence to read as it does now, but being as drunk as I was, let it slip past.

Still no excuse. I will administer self-lashings as prescribed by the official Grammar Nazi's handbook.