That would describe the person I had in mind. But we’ll talk about that some other time.

Reply to 2nd paragraph: It’s just that I know a few people who are really good scientists, but do not write very well in English. How do they get through college? Like this (and I happen to agree with it, and I will explain why in a moment): most people either do not have the 4.0+ GPA out of high school or the money to go directly to the university level. Most people I know (myself included) go to work out of high school, or join the military. In the military (especially the Army) most people are from intercity schools, and they cannot even understand proper English when it is spoken. Take a few years off, or even a decade working your ass off to get enough money to go to school, often supporting a family in the meantime.

Then go to a junior or community college. You take a test for English and math placement. If your scores are too low for college level, you take remedial classes until you catch up. For a non-Engish major the only English to pass is English 101 (or whatever the school calls it) and this is basic essay writing – what I did in 4th grade. However, a science or math major will struggle to get a C. They do the basic two years of prelimiary courses, then the last years for the higher degress are in their major. In a science and math major, proper English isn’t used except for research papers, and those are basically a little bit of text to explain formulas. My English skills are such that I have often helped science and math type majors to write term papers for their Masters degrees.

Why do I think this is ok? Because I am horrible at math and science. I have taken Alegebra over and over again since I was in 7th grade each year because I cannot retain it. I have passed Geometry, Trigonometry, and Statistics. For my EMT/Paramedic license in the Army I took all kinds of math and science courses, plus what I have had in college (Zoology and Astromony.) But, I can’t even balance my checkbook. Seriously. Yet, if I had continued in the medical field, I can do medical math in a snap, without much thought. It depends on what you use.

There is a story about how our education works, trying to get people to all be the same – like teaching a rabbit to fly, or a turtle to climb trees. If you hold everyone to the same standard, you get mediocrity and average people. Why not focus on what a person can do, focusing on that person’s strength? This is what makes people exceptional. These scientists I know, they can’t spell, or put a basic sentence or paragraph together in writing. You would never know it talking to them, though. They are highly intelligent, and are out there making the world better for everyone. So what if English isn’t their strong suit?

I really do not believe in holding up other people to the standards we hold for ourselves. People are all different, with different strengths and weaknesses. For myself, I want to learn to be less critical of others – to acknowledge what they can do without tearing down what they are unable to do. I can be a snob or even arrogant. And at times I think I have the right to be, however, I have had something happen to my brain where I lost a lot of the basic abilities I took for granted, like reading and writing. In time, the brain healed itself, and slowly it has been regaining what I once had. It may never be as quick as it was before, but it seems to be getting there.

I do not condone laziness, and I am very critical of willful ignorance – the choice to be ignorant. However, it has been my experience to learn there is a story underneath why people are the way they are, and before jumping to conclusions, maybe find out what their personal story is. Maybe, this teacher had a dream as a child to be a teacher, and that is all she ever wanted to be. Maybe she isn’t the best at it, but taking a test more than once shows some type of modivation. I don’t know. But, that’s how I approach people, finding out their story. Often, there is a whole history that doesn’t show, and often when I find it out, I can respect them and overlook their shortcomings. There are times, as well, where the person just makes me angry – usually the ones who look so “perfect” on the surface really are hiding an evil heart.

Besides, most of the grammar mistakes I see should have been learned in high school, not college. Why are colleges accepting students who don’t even have a basic grasp of good English?

Oh, and i do know about learning disabilities. I have three sons with them – one in math and two in reading.

1. Someone who has a Master’s degree in another subject other than what focuses on the proper use of English will not always have perfect grammar. I know many very educated people with high degrees in math and science and have a really hard time with English. Since I have trouble with math and science, I do not think it is fair to expect someone with degrees in another subject other than what focuses on the proper use of the English language and use it against them. I know very intelligent, educated people who have dyslexia and have a really hard time with spelling and grammar – it doesn’t make them idiots and they already feel insecure about their inability to use it correctly to have people knocking them down for it.

2.) The only time I think someone should be critical of another person in their improper use of grammar and spelling is if they happen to be in the field where using English is necessary. Because it happens to be a specialized field, and the English language is one of the hardest to learn. If you get it, wonderful, but a lot of people do not. Nor do they feel should they have to.

3.) There is proper English, there is everyday English, and then there is “cybertalk.” Informal email and chats between people on the internet is another “specialized” field of language and therefore happen to excluded from proper use of English (and one I do not always grasp well.) Now, when it becomes a problem is when people use “cybertalk” to use in, for example, a college term paper. In that case, I do think it is appropiate to laugh at them. LOL

So, yes I do think it is possible and acceptable that someone with a Master’s or higher degree does not know proper English – as long as their degree doesn’t require a need for proper English. Afterall, I just know enough math and science to pass a class, not speak the language on those fields, nor do I think I should be expected to!

Oh, another doozy that sends me into a tizzy: “Where’s that AT?” GARRRRRRRGHHH!!

Now I’m all worked up and won’t be able to sleep for fear of having grammar nightmares.

I’ve never seen ‘alittle’. That’s terrible! Worst thing I’ve seen is ‘imbetween’ though.