Why are people so opposed to speaking and writing properly?

1. 60

   Kaniel Loughranposted 12 years ago

   Why are people so opposed to speaking and writing properly?
   
   Does using big words and proper grammar make you conceited and/or pedantic? Is functional illiteracy taking over our society?

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2. 60

   RedmanBrendanposted 12 years ago

   Intellectual laziness. People are too lazy to sit down and think for more than 2 seconds about anything. I think certain people see it as conceited, but for the most part it isn't esoteric/pedantic.

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3. 50

   chanrothposted 12 years ago

   Laziness would be the most answer. Using big word or proper grammar isn't something that make you conceited but it show other people how highly educated you are. For me, I don't care. I write what I feel comfortable writing about and if someone tell me hey watch your grammar or go take writing class, I would say okay! Thanks for the advice. If this make you feel uncomfortable then go on and take their advice to better yourself with your writing skills. I write on hubpage, have few grammar, run on, verb problem and so on, but I write what I'm comfortable with. People are now speaking slang language instead of proper English, it really bother me sometime because it start to become a habit for most people especially for the next generation.

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4. 88

   BizGenGirlposted 12 years ago

   I agree that for many it's intellectual laziness. Though I also feel that many choose to appear intellectually inept for cultural reasons. Many readers are not as articulate or verbally 'cultured' as most authors. So it would be rather pedantic to try and be perfect about things.
   
   Personally, I try to employ both traditional and a culturally current method of writing. It has become my writers "voice", and appears to garner appreciation from many generations. Especially in my own generation (Millennials/Gen Y).
   
   Also, I do believe there are many hubbers who use English as a second or third language, and many probably don't realize they are being grammatically incorrect. It's annoying, but I can be empathetic as I am certainly not skilled in any other language except English, lol.

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5. 88

   BizGenGirlposted 12 years ago

   Many writers have spent years upon years developing their writing skills. Spending loads of time considering the correct verbs, nouns and adjectives to be used. Double checking their spelling with dictionaries and spell checkers. If you really like... read more

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6. 61

   jtylerposted 12 years ago

   Intellectual laziness is correct, but there is also another reason: coolness.  A lot of people try to fit a certain personality for other people so they adopt a sort of dumb english.  Intellectual laziness mostly, however.

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7. 37

   edhanposted 12 years ago

   Everyone seems to answer correctly - laziness
   
   Guess the younger generation has adopted a shorter and simple way of communication. I had a hard time trying to figure out some of the short forms they are using.

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8. 61

   duffsmomposted 12 years ago

   I think a lot of people are new to the idea of writing and do not know the fine points but they should be open to improving.  Also many people on here have English as a second language and in that case, they certainly know more English than I know of their language.
   
   Society seems very satisfied with mediocrity and a form of laziness.  It is as though we are too exhausted as a society to say, or write an entire word.  I see a lot of texting language in articles here and it drives me nuts.

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9. 59

   FranYoposted 12 years ago

   THANK YOU, Kaniel, for being a person brave enough to ask this question!
   
   The utter lack of hubs withOUT glaring mistakes (even in the titles) makes HubPages very hard to take seriously.  For those of us who have make the mistake of pointing out errors, you'd think we were insulting the writer's mama.  Why get so defensive?  Is no one capable of accepting constructive criticism these days?  Isn't that what writing in such a venue as HubPages is all about?  Aren't we all here to improve our writing and get out our voice?
   
   As your question is answered so well with all of us agreeing that laziness is probably the culprit, I'd like to add that ALL writers need to be willing to improve and take criticism a little more graciously.  Nobody's perfect and everyone could use a little help at times.

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10. 92

    Faceless39posted 12 years ago

    Most see reading and writing as chores not to be endured unless for their job.  In part I definitely blame the education system and all the absolutely horribly written "modern classics" they shove down everyone's throats.  I believe the entire education system needs to be scrapped and built from the ground up.  Illiteracy has definitiely taken the lead in the last few years.  To be honest it's becoming increasingly clear that the only things most people learn from are TV and movies.  Scary huh?

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11. 60

    nightwork4posted 12 years ago

    i think that there are many reasons why people write and speak as they do. sometimes it's educational, other times it's because they see big words and proper grammar as unneeded. the only time poor writing bothers me is when it is either vulgar or if the person does it out of laziness.

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12. 59

    Apostle Jackposted 12 years ago

    It is because the world have made it so that the higher you hold your head,the better.So they seek perfect returns.But think God for short cuts and those that bring something new to the table of Pen-to-Paper-Presentations.

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