Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mack the knife]

This is an ESL/EFL forum. Am I not correct? Should we not at least attempt to spell words correctly and/or use correct grammar? Sure, everyone makes mistakes from time to time (even GORD, heaven forbid), but I've come to the conclusion that some folks are just flat-out being lazy, and others really aren't up to snuff. Sad fact: A lot of folks on this board make the same obvious mistakes time and time again, which screams to me "Hey, I don't know my *beep*", which is at least somewhat unacceptable in our field.

MY POINT:

Some folks make mistakes because they are lazy and/or just having fun with the language, while other folks JUST DON'T KNOW THEIR *beep*. Now, I/we could start calling the latter folks out on the carpet, force them to drop trou/grab ankles and give them what they so richly deserve. OR...I/we could help them. In other words, correct their *beep* grammar (without being *beep* about it like His Gordness). That's what I intend to do, and I hope some others will follow suit (don't say you can't be bothered; sure you can!) because I don't read that many posts. Why should I do this? To help people. Yes, that's the answer. Strictly to help people who don't know their *beep* (you know who you are).

BTW,

I'm clueless about many facets of grammar, so feel free to goose me when the occasion arises. There. I've included myself so this post is no longer officially a rant.

BTW Part II:

What finally broke the camel's back? Reading too many goddamn posts with this nasty mistake "If I was..."

BTW Part III:

Being drunk and simply ranting is no excuse for poor grammar. Take that *beep* to English Spectrum, where it belongs.

BTW Part IV:

BAD SPELLING, while contemptible, is often due to simple mis-strokes on the keyboard, and therefore forgivable.

BTW Part V:

This issue has been raised time and time again, but to no avail. Guess what: The enforcer has arrived.

BTW Part VI:

EFL teachers such as you and I are not the only ones who frequent this board. Korean students, Korean Immigration, Korean Hogwon owners, Korean recruiters, and folks from all walks of life hit this board. For the love of green soccer fields, please don't make them think our English is worse than theirs!

BTW Part VII:

Sooner or later this board is going to make headlines in the Korean media (if it hasn't already, and I'm just not aware of it). Do you want those *beep* saying "And those idiots who are *beep* and moaning about jobs/salaries/etc. in Korea can't even speak English correctly!" Sorry, but if I see that/hear that, heads are going to roll. We simply can't afford to lose face because of some *beep* on this board who doesn't know the difference between "in" and "into".

Thank you for listening to the "Keeping it real" network. Signing off.

~swear filter dodges deleted by waterbaby 31/8 - you can take those to ESL Spectrum!~

[Skarp]

1 - correcting people's English makes you no friends
2 - unless you read back a post and then correct it - mistakes will slip through

While it's nice to have good grammar and spelling, there are many good EFL teachers who's English is quite poor. These people are often very good verbally and their English will still be far and away better then even a very advanced foreign speaker.

I was shocked by the accuracy of the English at first - but then I thought it through and given that internet English is more akin to spoken English I'm happy with that.

I'd hate for someone not to express their opinion purely because they were embarrassed by a few spelling mistakes.

If you know your spelling etc. is dodgy, check important things on a spellchecker. If your handwriting is bad (like mine), type. My biggest classroom problem is talking too fast....


Skarp

[Corporal]

[Skarp]

I would prefer a good teacher with poor Chinese to a bad teacher with perfect Chinese.

My English is pretty good on the whole - (who's/whose confusion notwithstanding). But I do make mistakes often - everybody does.

It doesn't matter.

The only way to never make a mistake is to never do anything.

We shouldn't criticize the grammar and spelling of people using this site. Some are posting late at night, in a hurry, while stressed or in the heat of the moment.

Anyway - that's my view.

Skarp

[desultude]

I wince when I hear and read the English coming out of some of my colleagues. I have listened to teachers give the wrong answer to students, and defend it when the students call them on it.

I am rather at a loss as to what to do about it. I really don't want to go around correcting people. But we should all take some pride in our craft. I am all of the time going to the dictionary and to my usage guides to correct myself and hone my skills.

There IS a difference between typos and bad usage. There is some really unfortunate usage here on Dave's. The best way to improve your English is to read good books, with a dictionary at hand.

As for this forum, you will only get grief for your efforts. Grin and bear it.

[Corporal]

Regarding the argument that correcting another's grammar/spelling skills will not win any friends, I would like to counter that I'm not here to make friends and influence people. I don't have the requisite charisma; just ask Denz.

[William Beckerson]

It's better this way.

[Corporal]

I don't think anyone cares anymore.

I could be wrong, although that has never happened before and I see no reason why it should be happening now.

[Zyzyfer]

Nah, don't bother. This thread was getting a bit too heated.

[BTM]

It was fun while it lasted, though. Woo-ee!

*offers Beckerson the hand of truce, for the moment at least*

[William Beckerson]

No sweat offa my hairy back...

[mack the knife]

All that fuss over nuthin'.

So far I've only found and corrected one post. Big deal. It's really the idea that counts, anyway. I'm not out there searching for mistakes, but when I run across one I'm going to zap it. Call me anal. I really don't care.

[William Beckerson]

we have nice smooth bowel movements

[mysteriousdeltarays]

Mack the Knife (nice song, did you write it?) At any rate one thing caught my eye. You are probaly right. I bet this thing will hit the mass media one day.

The dope postings on Englishspectrum (a fine site indeed!) certainly did.

It is a frightening thought to even contemplate. I rarely even make it out the door here (there is NOTHING to do) and now I discover that I am embarked upon my very own Nanny Cam.

I have often wondered about televisions. Do you suppose they (inside the box) can see us? I know they are very small people not unlike many of my students, but do you think say Julia Roberts is really nine inches tall?

I THINK NOT!

Manipulation! While I am on the topic I would also like to complain about my deletion from the photo of the Tenth Party Congress. I am supposed to be standing next to Trotsky but we have been both airbrushed out leaving only a vast black gapping hole.

[kiwiboy_nz_99]

I come to you now in human form, as kiwiboy_nz_99. Know well, that I can change back into my other role at any time if the need arises!


Mack, you got it, well done.

Corporal, you didnt. Must try harder. You see, this is not a flame war so please dont take it as such. Im simply here to educate. For example, its nice that youre aware of a couple of terms called mixed metaphor/simile, however, youre not that clear on the definitions. A mixed metaphor/simile would contain two different allusions inside the same sentence.

My brilliance shines like the sun and is deep like the ocean.

This is different from simply having two different metaphors/similes one after the other.

My genius is bigger than the universe. My power is like an erupting volcano.

Even the old fashioned prescriptive ( important word for you to get your head round ) approaches you adhere to do not proscribe the latter. Furthermore, during the course of my A average degree in Eng lit I dont ever recall feeling inclined to bother my proffesors with the stunning discoveries that Keats, Shelly, Joyce, and co all mixed metaphors joyfully when the mood took them. You need to take context more into account. If one was writing a business letter (and it seems you often are! ), then perhaps it would be better to avoid metaphor as much as possible. If, however, one is delivering a HOLY EDICT, one would expect such a text to sport the poetic devices and tone of voice appropriate to a tome of such weight.

Its not easy being THE ALMIGHTY you know, so many poor deluded humans to enlighten. Oh, and the ones that think theyre really starting to know something, theyre the worst! Consider the myriad aspects of language; syntax, semantics, structure, pragmatics, structure, point of view, tone of voice, diction, texture, rhythm, and on and on. See what a tiny drop in the ocean spelling is, especially when we consider that while possible, a spelling error is not as likely to cause problems with meaning as, say, a grammatical error. Thankfully I dont make grammatical errors. The only reason I still make spelling errors is that I was very dyslexic as a child and have struggled with spelling all my life. The reason I have been able to drag my spelling up to the semi acceptable level it is today is because Ive read more books than you ever will in your life time. Language is such a vast field, dont let your firm grasp of spelling fool you into thinking you have a handle on it. I come in peace, Corporal, as a humble educator, and it is with complete love, compassion, and concern for your spiritual and literary welfare that I say...

I OWN YOU >>> ITS MY UNIVERSE< YOU JUST LIVE IN IT!

*kiwiboy changing form into the almighty*

Behold! I bring unto you a new covenant! Thou shalt know thy stuff before thou flingest stuff at others! Now bow your head and be pious, then go forth into the world in peace.