Volconvo Debate Forums - View Single Post - Is bad grammar a sign of low intelligence

The Dunedan · Mar 18, 2007, 09:15 am

Bad grammar in a non-Native speaker is no sign of ignorance or idiocy, no.

However, for a Native speaker to use bad grammar exhibits either stupidity, laziness, or arrogance. If someone lacks the intelligence, industry, or common sense to speak or write properly (or at least make a reasonable effort to do so), they should keep their mouths shut. If a person lacks the education to speak/write properly, I do not hold that against them, so long as they make the effort to improve themselves. When a person persist, for whatever reason, in using bad grammar or spelling, especially when it is intentional ("Ebonics," internet-ese, etc), it becomes almost impossible for me to take that person seriously. English is the language of Shakespeare, Milton, Hemingway, and Byron, the most precise and all-encompassing language in the world. Proper grammar is a pain in the ass, yes, but it's hardly difficult to learn to speak correctly. I don't expect people on the street to be able to explain the Future Continuous or conjugate "to be," but a little effort would be nice.

I have no problem with people who cannot speak or write properly in English. People who will not do so because of laziness, idiocy, or affectation should be slapped with cold, wet Halibut until they do.

I'm sorry, but when my Czech students speak/write better English than some of my countrymen/women after only a few years' instruction, that's pathetic. A great many Americans are unable or unwilling to even speak their own language properly, let alone learn a second or third, and trust me, it's made us a laughingstock. Every one of my students speaks a minimum of two languages in addition to Czech, and many of them exhibit better grammar and spelling than people I went to University with.

I think it's important to differentiate between someone who is ignorant (lacking information) or maybe a bit slow (can't be helped) and someone who is stupid. Stupid is willful.

So yes, bad grammar in a Native speaker frequently indicates rank, utter stupidity. It also frequently indicates laziness, sometimes arrogance, and almost always makes it hard to take a person seriously. Sometimes the person can't help it or doesn't know any better, and I can cut them some slack. But if a person is smart enough to use a computer, they're smart enough to use English properly. When they refuse to do so, they are saying some highly uncharitable things about themselves and proving those things correct all at the same time.

Mar 18, 2007, 09:15 am	#4 (permalink) (top)
The Dunedan Hot Lava Posts: 925	Bad grammar in a non-Native speaker is no sign of ignorance or idiocy, no. However, for a Native speaker to use bad grammar exhibits either stupidity, laziness, or arrogance. If someone lacks the intelligence, industry, or common sense to speak or write properly (or at least make a reasonable effort to do so), they should keep their mouths shut. If a person lacks the education to speak/write properly, I do not hold that against them, so long as they make the effort to improve themselves. When a person persist, for whatever reason, in using bad grammar or spelling, especially when it is intentional ("Ebonics," internet-ese, etc), it becomes almost impossible for me to take that person seriously. English is the language of Shakespeare, Milton, Hemingway, and Byron, the most precise and all-encompassing language in the world. Proper grammar is a pain in the ass, yes, but it's hardly difficult to learn to speak correctly. I don't expect people on the street to be able to explain the Future Continuous or conjugate "to be," but a little effort would be nice. I have no problem with people who cannot speak or write properly in English. People who will not do so because of laziness, idiocy, or affectation should be slapped with cold, wet Halibut until they do. I'm sorry, but when my Czech students speak/write better English than some of my countrymen/women after only a few years' instruction, that's pathetic. A great many Americans are unable or unwilling to even speak their own language properly, let alone learn a second or third, and trust me, it's made us a laughingstock. Every one of my students speaks a minimum of two languages in addition to Czech, and many of them exhibit better grammar and spelling than people I went to University with. I think it's important to differentiate between someone who is ignorant (lacking information) or maybe a bit slow (can't be helped) and someone who is stupid. Stupid is willful. So yes, bad grammar in a Native speaker frequently indicates rank, utter stupidity. It also frequently indicates laziness, sometimes arrogance, and almost always makes it hard to take a person seriously. Sometimes the person can't help it or doesn't know any better, and I can cut them some slack. But if a person is smart enough to use a computer, they're smart enough to use English properly. When they refuse to do so, they are saying some highly uncharitable things about themselves and proving those things correct all at the same time.