Balancing Grammar and Respect

[Cerulean Crayon]

I may be relatively new to Gaia, but I have seen many so-called "Grammar Nazis" in that time. I also saw one self-proclaimed "Grammer Nazi," who I laughed at. I think there needs to be some recognition of the right to type as one pleases. I myself wish to grow up to be a proofreader, but not everyone so willingly embraces the principles of the English language.

Here's my question, in simple terms: how do you balance your need to see good grammar and respect?  

[DarkElf27]

Well, I usually just try to set a good example by making sure mine's good, and sometimes right the correct spelling of something they mispelled in their post, along with my response.  

[Cerulean Crayon]

Yeah, writing the correct spelling might work, if they notice it.  

[Ame Yuki Kaze]

Welcome to 3G!

I believe you are very correct about there being a need for respect. That's why one of the rules in this guild is to respect each other and also learn from each other. I definitely don't believe in nagging because using force and hassling people usually has the opposite of the intended effect.

I try to set the proper example, and when I quote posts and reply in PMs, I send back a correct version for the person to learn from. I think that even if they don't notice right away, they'll pick it up subconsciously.  

[~prize_in_the_box~]

I try my best to just have good grammar...  

[Samaura]

I know my spelling is never absolutely perfect, and I normally ignore the proper way of grammar. Though I have an excuse I English is not my first language. For when I am corrected I know that it dose help me a lot. Don't know about the rest of them, but I take it as constructive criticism.

(( I use a word program to make shore its correct. ))  

[Ame Yuki Kaze]

Trying your best and learning from your mistakes is what counts. I make no claim to perfection myself, but I always try to be the best that I can be.  

[i_heart_ron]

Shinobi 1977

I try to set the proper example, and when I quote posts and reply in PMs, I send back a correct version for the person to learn from. I think that even if they don't notice right away, they'll pick it up subconsciously.

I absolutely do that too! When I quote someone, I will just almost reflexively correct their spelling errors, and in places like IMDB, I will edit errors out of the thread titles as well, just to prevent it from continuing forward through other posts.

It's really hard to politely tell someone that they are wrong, particularly in situations and conversations where tensions are high from the main purpose of the discussion being a debate. It bothers me when I see people say things like "Your argument is invalid because you formulated that sentence incorrectly!", but I will point out consistent errors tactfully.

Also, a lot of people are online whose first language is not English, and they will often request assistance (and I can usually tell, in which case if, for example, someone wants feedback on a fanfic and their grammar is atrocious or nonexistant, if certain words are misused in a consistent manner, that is one of my very first questions), which I always gladly and kindly give, and also defend them from other people ridiculing them.  

[Myriane]

Samaura

I know my spelling is never absolutely perfect, and I normally ignore the proper way of grammar. Though I have an excuse, English is not my first language. For when I am corrected I know that it dose (does) help me a lot. Don't know about the rest of them, but I take it as constructive criticism.

(( I use a word program to make shore(SURE) it(')s correct. ))

Sorry, I just had to point out your errors, and for your information, English is my second language and I try to write it as flawlessly as I can. I'm not flaming you or anything, just pointing out my point of view.  

[TeccaN9nja]

Yeah, I always try to use good grammar. The only things I miss is caps sometimes. I never really misspell on purpose. The only things i misspell on purpose is specific things like About; I put Aboot most of the time when speaking to someone.

The only Internet Acronyms I use are brb and lol sometimes. Because outside Ha there really isnt a way to express laughter without sounding kinda prissy, ect. "I found that rather amusing." "That was delightfully funny" "Indeed humorous."  

[-M- Mellolicious]

TeccaN9nja

Yeah, I always try to use good grammar. The only things I miss is caps sometimes. I never really misspell on purpose. The only things i misspell on purpose is specific things like About; I put Aboot most of the time when speaking to someone.

The only Internet Acronyms I use are brb and lol sometimes. Because outside Ha there really isnt a way to express laughter without sounding kinda prissy, ect. "I found that rather amusing." "That was delightfully funny" "Indeed humorous."

You could use "XD." o_O It annoys me when people say "Lol" or "Ha." <_<; I don't know why. It just does.  

[Realization]

If I spell anything incorrectly it is generally due to typing error, which, if I spot, I will correct. If I'm not sure how to spell the word in question however I will mark it with (sp?). I will correct any horribly mispelt words, or incorrect sentances in other peoples posts, but I tollerate a certain level of incorrect grammar, it would get pretty silly otherwise.  

[Zealot of Insanity]

Just don't even try to correct those who do it purposely. Get to the moderates, and don't flame people for bad grammar/ mispellings.  

[Holy Hydroxide]

My friends know that I love grammar; they wouldn't be my friends if they minded it. I correct people sometimes by habit, but I try not to do it ad nauseum(sp?). I really can't help it sometimes, though. To anyone who hates me because of it, Fatue te ipsum. (Latin for "go ******** yourself")  

[Ebania]

I am not a grammar "nazi", in the sense, I do not SEARCH for spelling mistakes to blame people on. But if I'm in an ED topic, and someone comes in with an ultra retarded post, where half the spelling and grammar is not even comprehendable, I can't take them seriously. And I let them know, sometimes politely, sometimes, a bit harshly, if they're making fools of the human race. But besides that, no. I am not a nazi.