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Misspelling, syntax, punctuation, etc. on MP.com

Original Post
Richard M. Wright · · Lakewood, CO · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 9,090

This is not really a climbing pet peeve, but is anyone else disturbed by the surfeit of misspellings, poor syntax, and punctuation errors that populate MP.com?

BSheriden · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2013 · Points: 0

Disturbed? No, why would we be? Its an informal internet forum on rock climbing... Don't take yourself too seriously.

J. Albers · · Colorado · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 1,926
BSheriden wrote:Disturbed? No, why would we be? Its an informal internet forum on rock climbing... Don't take yourself too seriously.
It might not be that Richard is taking himself too seriously, some of us just have a natural cringe that occurs when trying to book read and dat der spelling just ain't 'a right.

So, to answer your question Richard: yes. Though if I forwarded you some excerpts from papers that I have had to grade (written by students at a "top" university), it would probably disturb you even more. Such is life I guess.
Nick Stayner · · Wymont Kingdom · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 2,315

Yes, I'm mildly peeved by it, mostly because of my background w/ a B.A. in English Lit.

On the whole, though, I find mp.com to have far fewer mistakes and generally better coherence than any other forum I check out regularly. Kind of disturbing to think about when I read the grade-school level posts on one of the nursing forums I use... and they all (supposedly) have at least some college education!

Cor · · Sandbagging since 1989 · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 1,445

Write right Wright!

BSheriden · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2013 · Points: 0

Again, who cares? Its an internet forum NOT a college level English thesis paper. Find something better to get upset about. As long as you can understand what the person is saying who cares about a few misspellings?

PRRose · · Boulder · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 0

"Plethora" would have been a better choice than "surfeit." Although both are often defined as "excess," surfeit is generally taken to mean too much of a good thing--a surfeit of good food or drink, for example. "Plethora," on the other hand, is the more apt choice when complaining about too much of a bad thing.

Also, not to nitpick too much, but a list should be parallel as to number. "Misspellings" and "punctuation errors" are plural, whereas "poor syntax" is not.

In addition, "surfeit" and "populate" don't agree, which they should.

Boissal . · · Small Lake, UT · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 1,541
BSheriden wrote:Again, who cares? Its an internet forum NOT a college level English thesis paper. Find something better to get upset about. As long as you can understand what the person is saying who cares about a few misspellings?
Plenty of people care. I care. I was never under the impression that proper spelling/grammar was only a requirement of college-level English thesis papers. In fact, I thought it was the best way to avoid labeling yourself as nearly illiterate.

As far as understanding what the person is writing, it becomes a tall ordeal when their typing suggests they're sending a coded text message while being chased by a rapist bear.

How long would it take for you to get annoyed at someone with a really thick crappy accent if you were asking them to do you a favor and you couldn't figure out if they were replying "I can't" or "Aye, cunt"?

Express yourself properly or STFU.
Mike McHugh · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 420

On MP, there is a strong correlation between those who
1) have nothing of substance to write about
b) have a burning desire to flail at their keyboard
and
iii) can't express themselves very well.

I proudly count myself a member of the first and third groups.

BSheriden · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2013 · Points: 0
Boissal wrote: Plenty of people care. I care. I was never under the impression that proper spelling/grammar was only a requirement of college-level English thesis papers. In fact, I thought it was the best way to avoid labeling yourself as nearly illiterate. As far as understanding what the person is writing, it becomes a tall ordeal when their typing suggests they're sending a coded text message while being chased by a rapist bear. How long would it take for you to get annoyed at someone with a really thick crappy accent if you were asking them to do you a favor and you couldn't figure out if they were replying "I can't" or "Aye, cunt"? Express yourself properly or STFU.
Well you're going to get pretty upset reading most internet posts then! Go ahead and get worked up about someone misspelling an informal reply, it doesnt bother me..... Oh no, I didn't you and apostrophe in that last sentence. You gonna be able to sleep tonight with your panties so far up your ass?
Finn The Human · · The Land of Ooo · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 106
TheBirdman Friedman · · Eldorado Springs, Colorado · Joined Jan 2010 · Points: 65
  • Popcorn popping*
Boissal . · · Small Lake, UT · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 1,541

"Well sod them to Hades"
BWAH! Great clip!

J. Albers · · Colorado · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 1,926
Boissal wrote: As far as understanding what the person is writing, it becomes a tall ordeal when their typing suggests they're sending a coded text message while being chased by a rapist bear. How long would it take for you to get annoyed at someone with a really thick crappy accent if you were asking them to do you a favor and you couldn't figure out if they were replying "I can't" or "Aye, cunt"? Express yourself properly or STFU.
Nice!!!! That made me laugh heartily. A rapist bear and an Aye, cunt all in one, grammatically correct post. Well done.
Martin le Roux · · Superior, CO · Joined Jul 2003 · Points: 401

I think you're mixing up style and substance.

Yxx cxn xndxrstxnd whxt x xm wrxtxng xvxn xf x rxplxcx xll thx vxwxls wxth xn "x" (t gts lttl hrdr f y dn't vn kn whr th vwls r).

Or as Dr Johnson said:

"...academies have been instituted, to guard the avenues of their languages, to retain fugitives, and repulse intruders; but their vigilance and activity have hitherto been vain; sounds are too volatile and subtle for legal restraints; to enchain syllables, and to lash the wind, are equally the undertakings of pride..."

Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280

I overuse commas,,,,,and semi colons for effect; don't really care. My aunt used to write letters with several !!!!!! exclamations after each and every sentence. I'm broken of that habit by now.

Ryan N · · Bellingham, WA · Joined May 2009 · Points: 195

I don't even know what the fuck syntax is?

Buff Johnson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 1,145

(the semi-colon use is actually correct)

bearbreeder · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 3,065

mai inglish iz bely bely ghooud !!!

;)

teece303 · · Highlands Ranch, CO · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 596

They don't bother me that much. I try to adhere to standard usage (the proper term, "grammatically correct" or "grammatical errors" are terms fraught with issues), but we all make mistakes, and we may come from wildly varying educational backgrounds. And some of us may not be speaking our native language.

A forum like this is the Internet equivalent of a casual conversation.

Judge not unless ye be judged and all that.

Brendan Blanchard · · Boulder, CO · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 590
Buff Johnson wrote:(the semi-colon use is actually correct)
Almost, actually. For it to be correct, the semi-colon would be separating two independent clauses. However, "don't care" is lacking a subject and therefore is not a complete clause. Sorry der, di'n meanter currectya.

And frankly, there are many posts on MP that require a re-read (or three) in order to accurately guess what each mistake meant, thus making a full sentence and thought.

It's really not that hard, put your post in word first, some browsers even do it for you! No reason to come off as an idiot, just re-read your post a time or two, can't kill'ya. Some people even make it fun!

Anywho, try this one on for size!

"The placement was good .. It was body weight .. It not like if one takes a fall and the placement was good ... And now we can assume that it walk.. It possible... In this case the climber hung on it, and if he with 40 yrs of pushing climbing and still going at it ... Now I'm getting of topic... Just try to believe the cam was good and failed or I wouldn't of posted this ... I broke a blue aliens new style but the fall was pretty high factor .. So of course the forces exited the rating of the cam.. I don't know ... I think of starting to climb with masrecams or bd .. Anyone have preference on small gear.. I loved aliens but now I change"

Now tell me you read that once, all the way through, cleanly, and you didn't go "huhwhathowyousay?" at least three times.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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