Why can't people spell correctly and use proper grammar? Is English everyone's second language?

No, it really irritates those of us who bothered to learn proper grammar and spelling in school. The problem today? It's called No Child Left Behind (aka dumbing down the curriculum).

pretty much. i think we all need a time when we don't have to worry about anything, even spelling and grammer. i get irritated when people take it to the extreme and make accronims that nobody but themselves understand, but other than that. the way you spell and your grammer reflects who you are and how you choose to present yourself to your peers. now if this were for a college application or something, then of course i would capitalize and use propper grammer and check my spelling, but it's not. so why should i make a deal over something that is as meaningless as spelling and grammer that's going to be read by people who do just the same thing. i sorta understand where you're coming from because my friend sometimes writes things that i dont understand, but, like i said before, on here, your spelling and grammer reflects who you are, individuallity. let me correct myself.... without taking ebonics and mispelling to the extreme, than i think that it shouldn't be taken as a big deal. But when people start typing with numbers and signs in words, i think it gets rediculous and frustrating.

Thank you for speaking up. I agree with you whole heartily. Some questions I can not understand due to bad spelling and grammatical skills. I do understand if the writer's first language is not English, because the person's language is more formal and understandable than someone whose mother tongue is English. Go figure.

No, you are not the only one, and I don't think we can lay the blame entirely at the feet of the schools. My preschool reading and personal interest in English were as important to me as anything I learned in school. There is not much I can do about the universal state of English spelling, though, and worrying too much about what can't be changed is not wise for me, as I have plenty of other things to worry about.

No, most of us are, and you aren't the only one to post this question.

If this it typical of most school aged children and heaven forbid, adults, we are in big trouble.

How will they get a decent job, enjoy reading a good book, when they won't know half of the words or more in that book.

It's a sad state of affairs, I often feel like hitting them on the head with a Thesaurus and Dictionary. If it would only sink into their minds.

English was my second language, and I hate to tell you that YOU just joined the group you're criticizing. "Ebonics" should be capitalized in your sentence. At least that's what I learned in school, and Wikipedia seems to agree.

W0rd yO. I'm kidding of course. I'm sixteen and I'm going to be a junior and even I can't stand when people don't type correctly or proceed to type "LyK3 DiZ" it's very annoying, hard to read, and must be difficult for the writer to type. Also, I don't see why people would want to sound unintelligent. I guess we'll stand alone here on this issue.

I'd hate to be your man! I bet you make him watch Oprah too. Don't 'cha?! Look some of us might be lackin' in the typing skills department, unlike you - oh mighty Queen of the internet. Ha! I'd like to see you type quickly and correctly with only one arm. Oh! Well, how about any disability. I'll leave you with this my princess of correct grammer - we're only human. r u? lol -peace.

hi, i m ( I am) so happy there is someone who is atleast aware of it. Particularly, net chatting will spoil English language, I am afraid.........

Anyway, I am an Indian, my mothertongue is Gujarati, and same for Gujarati ,too. Nobody speaks proper Gujarati. So problem is to change the way of speaking , writing.......... so first we should read good books.

May be it will help............

Pinki (India)

Good question. Unfortunately, they no longer emphasise the importance of spelling and grammar as they did in the past.