Over the year I’ve been working at the Mercury I have been harassed, cajoled, and beaten (yes, by Marjorie Skinner) for spelling and grammar mistakes in my blog posts.
Some might point out that mistakes in (urgent, self-edited, topical) blog posts are par for the course; but there are others who suggest that blog posts should rise to the standard of most (copy edited, less timely, stodgy) print media.
I have no opinion one way or the other. I just try to keep my head down, write fast, post often, and spell check as diligently as possible. But I understand how my mistakes might adversely effect my readers. I mean, after all, they’ve told me as much:
It’s effect, you putz, not affect. As in: You affect the air of the air of someone trying to write beyond a third grade level.
It’s bad enough that your commentary is sophmoric and your knowledge of food and beverage nil, but the fact that you can’t even construct a sentence makes puzzled as to why the Mercury hired you.
Posted by Suds Sister on July 28, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Wow, you spelled “Fred Meyer” three different ways in your first four sentences, and not one of the spellings was correct. Bravo!
Posted by spudboy on August 13, 2008 at 3:52 PM
Also, what the hell is a “pepperoniin”? Do they not pay you enough to purchase a word editor that contains spell check?
Posted by Graham on February 2, 2009 at 2:21 PM
What I failed to realize was that these reactions are due to the economy! Or at least according to this MSNBC article:
But while blunders and bloopers have ever exasperated the spelling snobs and grammar grunions of the world, our recent woes — housing foreclosures, massive layoffs, rising debt and war — may be ratcheting up the pressure some feel to seize control of something (anything!), even if it’s just a properly placed comma.
There you go, the economy is ruining my life… Again. But it’s comforting to know that Blogtown readers are not really upset at me, personally. See, it has nothing to do with poor spelling and grammar—a result of my sham public school education and a brutal drug habit—but rather the reader’s own perceived lack of control.
Dale Siegel, a financial expert from White Plains, N.Y., whose spelling is routinely corrected, says she’s definitely noticed a change in people.
“In general, I think people are getting a little bit meaner about correcting others or sharing what they call their ‘observations,’ ” she says. “They’re uptight and stressed out about losing their jobs. And if it makes them feel better to tell me I have a string hanging off my skirt or I used the word ‘your’ when I really meant to use the word ‘you’re,’ then fine.”
Ah, I feel better already. But then again, doesn’t being a poor speller have something to do with my character? I mean, shit, doesn’t it mean that my learnin’ didn’t take when I was just a lil’ scamp?
Gary Cohen, an executive coach from Minneapolis who’s been hassled about his spelling for years, says character has nothing to do with it.
“I didn’t have a choice about being a good speller,” he says. “It wasn’t about lack of effort or practice or laziness, which is what it can often be associated with. I grew up with learning differences. My daughter has them too.”
Indeed, researchers at Oxford University believe the ability to spell may have more to do with our DNA than the amount of time we spend with our nose in a dictionary. Others believe nutrition and sleep patterns can affect the way our brain manages the arduous task of learning the English language.
God I love it when I can find an article that offers this kind of vindication. I can now cling to the idea that when someone criticizes my spelling mistakes, they just don’t realize it’s my DNA. Also, I don’t have to try anymore. But then again, I’ll probably be hounded by these guys:
The 350,000-member Facebook group “I Judge You When You Use Poor Grammar” encourages its members to “seek out the infidels (grammar offenders) and … document their acts of terror. Take pictures and post them in this group to serve as examples to all.”
Oh, great. Just, great! I guess I’ll have to try even harder now, or just stop trying at all. Gawd! Spalling and gramer is so complicated! I gueS Ill jst post n SMS frm nw on!
tl;dr
I read about this on the Gawker.
Spelling and grammar mistakes just make the mistake-er look stupid and you are the opposite of stupid.
shortened for Chunty:
People will correct your spelling on the Internet because they feel they are powerless. Some bad spelling is because of DNA (maybe). Some people don’t give a shit. I gueS Ill jst post n SMS frm nw on! The end.
hugs/kisses
You are the victim of language rage. It’s like when you park your car badly and some asshole tosses leftover fast food or latte dregs on it to “teach you a lesson.” People who really think apostrophes are *that* important or who think that others cannot decipher your intended meaning when confusing the homophonous “effect” and “affect” are really just trying to damage the clear coat on your language faculty.
I find more often than not that language-ragers also resort to incorrect or old-fashioned rules, anyway, usually from the appallingly bad Strunk and White. (Throw that one out if you have it lying around.) Modern style guides and usage manuals are the sort of thing that language-ragers don’t read, ironically.
Keep up the good work, and don’t let the ragers get you down. 🙂
I like Patrick’s blog posts very much.
That is all.
Just take solace in knowing how lonely and pathetic a grammar nazi’s life is. They aren’t cool and people don’t invite them to parties.
Simac, I don’t believe “effect” and “affect” are homophones when pronounced correctly. But I agree with you that, as I’ve stated elsewhere before, more PAC (spelling be damned!) > less PAC.
That said, I reserve the right to correct misspellings, but to do so in a constructive manner. See above rule.
Grammar nazi parties are awesome.
We snort bowls of cocaine and then we race to see who can text message full sentences the fastest.
Long live spudboy! Wait, you totally left out the part where I called myself a piece of shit for even bringing it up, and then threw all the blame back on you for making me do it, like as if you were my battered wife. It’s cool, though, I still love ya, Partick. We should hang out sometime, you and me. I’m passionate about existence and I make art constantly……
Patrick, your posts are awesome. Your mistakes enrichen my day.