De-evolution at its finest
Jul 4th, 2008 by Micheal
As I’ve noted before, grammar and spelling are two things that really bother me. Aside from the fact that some schools are now letting students use txt spk on papers which is absolutely ridiculous, there are some things that adults themselves should know.
Yesterday, this topic subject caught my eye on a website: “u’r Education Qualifications.” Today on a news clip: “Two would-be robbers try to steel A-T-M.”
Let’s start with the first one. People think they are being clever with replacing the letter u for you. Aside from the fact that it makes them look less than intelligent, particularly on job applications, the contraction “u’r” is meant to suggest “you’re,” which those who actually pay attention in school know is “you are.” However, the correct usage is your, as that is possessive. Then you have Education Qualifications. The improper spelling and grammar all in one “word” matched with the words education and qualifications show a certain amount of horrific irony that the younger generations probably cannot appreciate. Shame too, but it is really quite amusing and sad at the same time.
Next one. I’ll start at end of the sentence. “A-T-M.” Last I checked, there were two acceptable ways (and really only one now, but I was taught the older way, because, well, I’m older ;)) of abbreviations. Hyphenating is not one of them. They are: A.T.M., which is the older way, and ATM. Not a huge faux pas, but one nonetheless. Although technically it is written, people just choose to not read anymore. Or something. At any rate, the huge problem here is obviously “steel.” Ladies and gentlemen, there is a difference between steal and steel, and it isn’t stealing steel. I am absolutely floored that this was on a news broadcast. My local newspaper is often on the receiving end of jokes for typographical and grammatical errors, and for good reason. There is always at least one error on the front page alone.
So I am making the following recommendation: Everybody that holds a job that involves any reading or writing (should be any and every job …) must complete an oral and written proficiency exam once a year. Those that fail must complete an English course (for those holding jobs in the US that are English-speaking) before being allowed to participate in anything involving reading or writing. And yes, I realize that this will probably knock out 2/3 of the workforce in the US, but we’ll be better for it once people learn some skills. I for one am getting tired of watching society getting, forgive me for this one, stupider and stupider. Or to say it correctly, more lazy.