Mi temprano deseo Navideño
I don't mean to harp on the subject and perhaps it's bigger than the whole lot of us on here put together, but I honestly do not go one single day without reading (and hence noticing to the point of 'slamming on the brakes') all kinds of errors in a host of areas, but specifically capitalization, spelling and punctuation. There are questionable calls in grammar too but I want to make it clear, I'm no English language expert, but some of these errors are so elemental and commonplace that it almost defies explanation. I hate to say but it appears that it's all just indifference or carelessness. I mean, this is a learning site after all and if those who profess to be English speakers (probably since childhood) aren't able to compose a rudimentary sentence in their native tongue with any acceptable degree of accuracy, then in addition to learning Spanish, perhaps some remedial classes in English are in order. This certainly isn't aimed at those who are learning English; some mistakes are expected. But a lifelong English speaker/reader/writer that chooses to be "sloppy" with his/her own language, well, I suppose I will never be able to wrap my head around such a phenomenon. Having said that, my real purpose in editorializing is to ask about installing a Spell Check program on here, with the hope that some may take advantage of it prior to posting a question or comment. Perhaps this has been addressed in the past or there is something available on the site I am overlooking, but if the Administrators could introduce a proofreader for general use, and it gets enough publicity as well as a prime location (say, wedged somewhere in the options above), our fellow learners who would like to experience English as it should be written and read would no doubt benefit immensely. Just a thought... oh, and there's always this little gem:
2 Answers
My browser has an add-on that can check Spanish (or English depending on which dictionaries are loaded) spelling, but I never use it. I want to learn to spell Spanish words correctly. That means not guessing at them and letting some software program clean up after me.
I wouldn't mind one that pointed out the errors, but did not make changes. Most spell checkers, though, know people's propensity to be lazy and try to make the changes automatically. I'm not sure that those programs are useful in the long run. The same argument could be made about grammar checkers, especially those that make changes without explanation. How does that teach you anything?
So, I'm in favor of making embarrassing blunders and giving fellow members something to chuckle about. Most of us here on this forum realize that we learn more from each others mistakes than we do from someone pontificating about the correct use of grammar in either language. So bear with my blunders and don't hesitate to point them out to me. I may not enjoy the Dunce Corner, but it serves as a great deterrent for not repeating errors. My only regret is my knack for always making new ones.
By the way, I have to ask...Is your title..."My early Christmas wish"?
Excellent post! Thank you for this. One of my pet peeves, amongst many, is the incorrect use of "you're"; it seems the use of "your" is acceptable currently. It should not be this way! Let us take pride in the correct use of English!
