Hackers, Spelling, and Grammar?

[Spyder32]

When I was at school [middle] 64-69

Nevermind Johnno. I take back what I said about you (just messing around foxy ).

[Boundless]

Sorry, but I couldn't resist!

[foxyloxley]

You must spread your AntiPoints around before giving it to Boundless again.

You won't find THIS on AO too often

[TelenetJumper]

Hackers, Spelling, and Grammar?


Posted by Cliff on Thursday June 30, @05:48PM
from the i'm-as-guilty-as-the-next-coder dept.
Strom Carlson asks: "Over the last few years, I've noticed that a surprisingly large number of native English speakers, who are otherwise very technically competent, seem to lack strong English skills. Mostly, this seems to manifest itself as varying degrees of poor spelling and grammar: 'definately' instead of 'definitely'; 'should of' instead of 'should have'; and I even see the names of products and companies misspelled from time to time. It baffles me that a culture so obsessed with technical knowledge and accuracy can demonstrate such little attention to detail when it comes to communicating that knowledge with others, and it baffles me even more that many people become enraged when you attempt to help them correct and learn from their mistakes. Do hackers and geeks just not care about communicating effectively? Do they not realize that a mediocre command of written English makes them appear less intelligent? Am I missing something here?"



Why do you quote other people? why dont you come more original......?

[¤The¤Spe©ialist]

Originally posted here by TelenetJumper
Why do you quote other people? why dont you come more original......?

I agree... now shut your mouth.

[slinky2004]

i think you may have misspelled the word grammar

[Mystery Man]

Grammer isn't important the knowledge is !!!!

[Aspman]

BURRRRRRRRRRT wrong answer.

Grammar is very important in giving subtlety and nuance to written text. It's the way to pass on knowledge through writing without the meaning becoming corrupted. The words themselves are not enough to convey the exact meaning.

Think about the pauses and inflections you put into your voice to put across what you mean in spoken conversation. The only way to put that into written text is to correctly use grammar.
In addition it helps to keep your text organised and legible.

The complexity of some forms of writing, poetry especially, is only possible through the artful use of grammar.

[nihil]

I agree with Aspman, grammar is very important. Just try writing a user instruction manual or training course user notes, and you will find out.

You actually see positions advertised for "technical authors"

If you doubt this, write an English sentence and then insert the word "not" in front of the verb. It tends to make quite a difference? I know that is a crude example, but it illustrates the point.

[Cache]

I can't really understand blaming this problem on the times. I'm 18, had a computer during the (more) imporatant times of my life (writing papers, typing essays, etc. etc.), and still turned out very grammatically correct.