I was reading my boyfriend's blog, Off the Schneid, and while perusing his commentary about hippies, baseball, SF, and his MBA program, it occurred to me that there's a number of common misspellings that he uses all the time. Not that this is something major, or anything to cause WW3 over, but what disturbed me is that he is just one of many millions of brilliant and schooled people who can't spell. And he freely admits this. I love this man, let me tell you! LOVE HIM!
We are all taught grammar and punctuation in school, and at times are FORCED to practice these subjects over and over again. I, for one, LOATHED grammar practice in school. All of the tests, writing exercises, spelling tests, sentence writing (in grade school spelling tests), etc. I KNOW I failed many a grammar exercise and purposefully ignored my teacher's droning lectures. It is all this drilling that I think causes the problem. Schools take the fun out of learning. I know that my high school's English department was severely short-sighted and did not care enough about the students to employ a curriculum that allowed for a more creative way to learn grammar. We had very few creative writing assignments, and I think this is where the main problem lies. I feel that a direct lack of creativity promotes an apathy in the learner. In order to really retain information, it should be drilled, yes, but in a way that is productive and fruitful for the student writer.
I can honestly say that I didn't care about my usage, spelling, or punctuation until I was writing my own material. When you "give birth" to something, creatively speaking, you allow yourself to open up to criticism that could help to make your product better! Not to mention, when you actually CARE about what you're writing, it makes you want to learn how to do it right!
Schools tend to lump kids into groups based on aptitude - has anyone ever noticed this? Like, those kids who are great at math, chemistry and physics are always in the same classes. There is also a tendency for many of these students to struggle with English, foreign languages, and sciences like Biology. On the other side of the coin, we have kids who excel in English, languages and bio-sciences (much like myself) who are miserable in Math, fail chemistry, and just can't get it together when it comes to these subjects. I feel math was taught in a way that made me care less about it. I seemed to excel in things I could readily apply to my own life, career goals, etc. I struggled with things that I THOUGHT had no bearing on what I wanted to do. I would sit in Algebra 2 and wish that my teacher was able to provide the information with some reason behind it. With no real-world connections, I was more apt to fall asleep in class than give the correct answer.
Anyway, I should get back on track here with my rant, or I will go on forever. So, the point I am trying to make is that I was reading my boyfriend's blog and contemplating his spelling of certain things. Because he is going into business and communications are key, I worried that he might be looked down upon by others who are looking for ANYTHING to nit pick. Bosses suck, this we all know, and I know there's some insane HR guy out there just waiting to take his wrath out on someone who has awesome credentials, a great interview style and lousy spelling skills. Then, I read some other friends' blogs and emails...
HOLY SHIT! CAN'T YOU PEOPLE SPELL???? I realized I am in the minority and it scared the crap out of me! I understand grammar sucks and people hate practicing it. But if our country is going to get ahead at all in this world, we need to care not just about ideas, but how those ideas are presented. Blogging is a great way to start. Because a blog is personal, there is emotional investment in the whole operation, and everyone who has one will agree - you want to keep your integrity! For every blog/email/discussion post that I read, I admit that I judge harshly. If I don't know the person at all, I look at certain things (and this is when I read wall posts or discussion forums). I look at spelling, first and foremost. If they are ranting about a major topic like global warming or first amendment rights, I will give their thoughts - whether I agree or disagree - a chance if they are SPELLED CORRECTLY.
I have seen "Glowbul warming" or Globell warning" and I have seen all sorts of spellings of "amendmint," "commendment" and such. DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON HOW PEOPLE MISSPELL CONSTITUTION! These people who can't spell and then rant about their topic of choice earn my disrespect and sometimes loathing. No wonder people think Americans are dumb! Anyone read internet posts? I do make concessions on occasion for those who don't speak English well, but for those right-wing, "joe the plumber," "Real Americans" I show no mercy. It's like looking at misspelled graffiti! If you are going to piss off someone, do it correctly!
The sad thing is that many of the misspelled rants out there in the webiverse (or whatever you call it) are written by "educated" individuals who have gone through public school, and a majority of them, I'm sure, have gone on to some higher form of education. So, with all this education, why can't people spell? If they can have families, provide for them, and obtain a decent wage, why the hell can't they remember that "a lot" is TWO WORDS? ARRRRRGHHHHH!
I know many of these people. I am related to a few, I am sure. I love many of these people. We live in a country where expression is something we celebrate every single day! Yet, how can we express ourselves properly if we don't know how to use the words and phrases properly?
So, there's got to be something we can do in order to get people to care about proper spelling and grammar again. There's got to be a way to give incentive to people to spell properly!
Hmmmm, education reform? Get 'em while they're young!
And now, a misspelled word for all of you who think the status quo is ok...FCUK EWE! Hee hee.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this concludes our broadcast day.
