Would it be rude?

1. 91

   Rochelle Frankposted 14 years ago

   Would it be rude or helpful to point out that a new hubber has at least 27 spelling, usage and punctuation errors on a 200 word profile page?
   This is a native English speaking person, but maybe there are other challenging issues.
   My feeling is that someone reading this would not be encouraged to read this writer's hubs.

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   1. 83

      Rafiniposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I don't think it would be rude, but I'd probably send a message through email - just in case they want the mistakes (?).  (idk - just a thought lol)

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   2. 77

      Uninvited Writerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I'd let them know privately.

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   3. 64

      Greek Oneposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      yes it would.. leave me alone... I lost my dictionary!

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   4. 71

      lorlie6posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I'm almost positive that I know of this hubber.  I won't go into it further, Rochelle, except to say that my sense is that --- has 'issues,' and I wouldn't be comfortable correcting punctuation/usage/spelling-I'm no therapist.  I also don't see this person as a troll...but I've been wrong before.
      As an aside, Rochelle, I think you are a very compassionate person to even consider the person on the other end of the computer.  It's a rare thing to see such grace in action.

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      1. 91

         Rochelle Frankposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks, Lorlie. I think you are right. I'm leaving it be and hoping help is available.
         
         oops-- and you added an edit. That was nice of you. I've learned enough to know that what seems evident may be only the tip of the iceberg.

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            Uninvited Writerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Ah, I think I know who you are talking about too

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2. 98

   Jule Romansposted 14 years ago

   That is a tough question, isn't it? We have had some interesting discussions about the quality of  language in some of the other forums.
   
   http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/38251
   
   http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/41835
   
   It seemed to me that the opinions about this were pretty mixed.  I know that I would want you to tell me about any errors in any of my hubs. I don't know how others feel though.
   
   Feel free to point out my errors anytime!

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   1. 91

      Rochelle Frankposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I doubt I would find many on yours. I do make plenty, but I'm pretty good  at using spell-check.

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3. 70

   Cagsilposted 14 years ago

   I would contact them via email and let them know. Just as a heads up. Hopefully they can take the criticism as positive and not negative.
   
   I've done it in the past. To many hubbers, because it certainly does not look good when you have a lot of errors on your profile page. It should be the first thing a lot of people see. Some are led directly to your hubs, too.
   
   If the person is actively promoting their profile page, it could hurt them more. I would not consider it rude, but helpful.

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   1. 91

      Rochelle Frankposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Cagsil-- something doesn't seem right about it. As I said, maybe it is a ploy to attract attention. Almost every hub title of this person has an (obvious) error. Is it OK if I email you a link, so you can look at it?

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      1. 70

         Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Sure, you can send it along. Also, just remember, you do not have to give a person your email address, if you do not want to.
         
         A perfect example: ME! I do not use my primary email to send messages to other hubbers, unless I know them. If I do not know them, then I use the HubPages forwarding system to communicate with them, instead of my email.
         
         Remember, when HubPages sends you an email from another hubber, you have two options for responding. You can use the email software where you receive your emails or you can go to the HubPages forwarding system to contact them.
         
         Should they have no contact information for HubPages, then I would leave the problem. I would start flagging the hubs for substandard or low quality, because of the errors.
         
         Just a thought.

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4. 89

   BeccaHubbardWoodsposted 14 years ago

   Well, it IS a writer's community. Surely they should expect some form of constructive criticism... A little offered editing wouldn't be rude at all, depending on who's receiving the help of course...
   
   I vote for sending a nice email letting the person know that some people reading their profile for the first time may be taken aback by the amount of errors in it.

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   1. 91

      Rochelle Frankposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I don't necessarily want to send my email address to an unknown person, but I'll think about it.
      The hubs are also filled with many distracting mistakes. It might be that the hubber has a severe learning disability, OR is doing it to actually attract a response.

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      1. 60

         katiem2posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         True it's hard to know why this may be happening.  I've heard many discussions regarding the educational level of the average internet goer and it's a lower level than one might think. 
         
         The feeling is for writers to dumb down their material and make it more reader friendly for a diverse group of readers. 
         
         Personally I would say nothing.   Just me!  I once had a person leave a comment on my hub, the number one thing a man wants stating it was the hardest thing they had ever tried to read and contained more mistakes than anything they had ever read.  They went on to say I was a horrible writer and they couldn't take the pain of reading my work.
         
         Since then I keep my mouth shut and keep moving forward. 
         
         
         But you dear Rochelle would have much more tack I'm sure and feel you should give them the kind bit of advice.  You don't have to rip someone to bits to point something out, and that's not your style, go for it...

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         1. 91

            Rochelle Frankposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            That responder was obviously confused.

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            1. 60

               katiem2posted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Thanks Dear   Maybe I struck a nerve

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5. 75

   Aficionadaposted 14 years ago

   I agree that it needs to be done tactfully, but I believe it is to everyone's benefit to point out the mistakes.
   
   I sent an e-mail to one writer because of what I thought was a mistake in word choice (I misunderstood what the writer was trying to say).  I received a very nice response that helped me to see where my own misunderstanding lay.  That was helpful to us both, I believe.
   
   The overall concern I have is not only for the quality of the individual's Hubs, but for perceptions of HubPages as a whole.  If visitors read Hubs or profiles that are full of spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes, won't they be less likely to form a good opinion of the entire site?

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   1. 91

      Rochelle Frankposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Good thoughts, Aficionada.

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6. 0

   Website Examinerposted 14 years ago

   I think it is pretty hopeless, a losing battle. If someone makes so many mistakes, what are they going to do: hire a copy editor?

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   1. 91

      Rochelle Frankposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I was thinking that, too.  It would take awhile to make a great personal improvement, if this is for real.

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         katiem2posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Website examiner is spot on, Thanks for bringing this up

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      Jeff Berndtposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      "what are they going to do: hire a copy editor?"
      
      I'm available.
      

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         Website Examinerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Duly noted, thanks.

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         psycheskinnerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Spellcheck would probably get at least some of them.

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7. 62

   Hubbin4V12posted 14 years ago

   hey this is a community of positive, (mostly) well mannered writers and publishers. A kind, tactful approach would aid even the most sensitive of hubbers, theoretically of course.

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8. 75

   Aficionadaposted 14 years ago

   One more question -
   
   How do you know their first language is English?  Do they mention that outright?  I can think of all kinds of scenarios where someone might appear to be a native speaker for some reason, even though they actually are not.
   
   Would there be any value in leaving a suggestion as a comment? Something like "This is a very interesting Hub (or profile), and it could be even better with more attention to details of language."
   
   [I guess that's more than one question, isn't it?]

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9. 80

   thisisoliposted 14 years ago

   I always appreciate it when people tell me I have forgotten to spell check.  Especially when I am not writing articles.
   
   I often try to write faster than I should which means I often make a large amount of typos (Rather than spelling errors).  Plus I am now trying to fit in to American grammer, which has always been a royal pain for me!

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   1. 75

      Aficionadaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      thisisoli,
      
      Can you set up the dictionary and grammar preferences in your word-processing software to help you catch usage that is different from the American style?  That would seem to be easier than to try and catch them all yourself.
      
      EDIT:  Obviously, this would not work for comments, etc.  I was thinking in particular about articles - but then noticed that you had excepted them yourself.  Sorry.

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10. 59

    Chaotic Chicaposted 14 years ago

    Personally, since I use spell check and am anal about grammar, when I make a mistake, I would like for it to be noted so it can be corrected.  I am all for tact and prefer a quieter method myself. I must confess, though, that I have, once, been so taken aback by a paragraph long ranting hub that had countless run-on sentances and was filled with text code that I could not quell the urge to point them out to the writer immediately.  This was the writer's first 'hub' and it was more fit for MySpace or Facebook except that it would not fit in the status bar.  I am not proud of that and have not done it since, nor do I intend to do it again.  Sometimes the inner English teacher in me just wants to scream!

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11. 81

    timorousposted 14 years ago

    It would be helpful to the hubber to let them know via e-mail.  You'd best not make such criticisms in the comment section.  Some people are sensitive about such things.
    
    Start by complimenting the hubber on what was good about the article.  Then tactfully point out the errors, and make suggestions.  This will at least help them correct the current hub, though they may go right back to their lazy ways on their next hub.
    
    Also, many readers may have equally poor grammatical habits, and may not even notice.  Still..it improves everyone's hubs if they see a properly written article, without typos or grammatical errors.  Just be sure you are in fact correct.

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    1. 59

       Chaotic Chicaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Very well said!  I am embarassed to admit to my singular indiscretion regarding blasting that new hubber in the comments and I have made certain that I do not repeat it.  My action was not the best approach and yours is certainly one that should be followed.

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12. 59

    paradigmsearchposted 14 years ago

    "at least 27 spelling, usage and punctuation errors on a 200 word profile page?"
    
    Yeah, tell them if you like them. Text will be buried in due course anyway.

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