Re: How come some people can't write?
One More Cast,<br /><br />The way I see it is that there are a variety of reasons for us losing our writing skills.<br /><br />Let's cast our mind back to the time when a hand written letter served as our primary from of communication. As a result of the time it took to cover distance letters were slow forms of communication and it took an inordinate amount of time to receive a response. One needed to get it right first time.<br /><br />Perhaps as a result of the above there was also a time when your most feared teacher was the English teacher and the most feared subject GRAMMAR. This may have had something to do with the fact that the correct use of grammar is difficult, and as in engineering unless one has a full grasp of "first principles" the construction of sentances nevermind a letter becomes exceedingly difficult. Example, what is a "split infinitive"? There are many gramatical rules that I don't understand let alone use correctly.<br /><br />Then came the telephone, a wondeful innovation that circumvented the long turnaround times of letters and allowed one to immediately respond to queries if they arose. As it is possible to say more in voice than in letter, for the same given period that is. Communication became more cumbersome, just listen to some people on the phone, an hour speaking with saying anything. We lost the need for short concise communication and then WE STARTED GETTING LAZY.<br /><br />Without being rapped over the knuckles anymore for poor English skills we have allowed slang and poor grammar to infuse English to the point that at times it is near impossible to understand some youngsters. I am not sure that I fully agree but I do believe that languages should evolve, to keep pace with the modern world. I'm not sure if the grammar has changed but certainly the vocabulary has. As a matter of interest (can't remember the exact numbers but the ratio's will be about right) one armed with 2600 english words will be able to get through life very comfortably being fully understood, there are about 40 000 words in the english language.<br /><br />Then technology swamps us again as we give millions without access to the internet the ability to send text messages via the mobile phone.<br /><br />Yo Bro<br />RU OK.<br />PLSE LOOK 4 ME @ 711<br />Bye<br /><br />This certainly will not get our youngsters considering writing the "old style" imagine.<br /><br />Good morning Peter.<br />I trust I find you in good health.<br />I am busy shopping so if you need to get hold of me you will be able to find me at the 711 convenience store.<br /><br />Goodbye<br /><br />This is the long answer..... perhaps the kids have a point.<br /><br />The internet has also not done much to help either. The mobile phone language is being perpetuated on the guitar forums frequented by 13 to 30 year olds. The literacy levels, if judged from the posts, is exceeding low.<br /><br />The internet has also allowed people to beat up on each other with little consequence. This has caused some to be less considered when they post, a little thought and rereading as JB says could get many out of the spot they create. I would like to see some people say the things they do when face to face with the other individual. As mentioned in previous posts often this is merely a result of poorly communicating ones view.<br /><br />It is not just you, all of us have become lax<br /><br />My thoughts.<br /><br />Andrew
