[Magpie95]

I am new to this site. So far, I really enjoy it. I find it helpful at times and always interesting. Now, I am not the best speller. My grammar has not always been on par. I am aware of it and try my best to improve.

My question is, what happened? When did we decide to quit using capitalization and punctuation? With kids growing up with spell check functions on their computers, could spelling actually be getting less important? I thought I was just getting old and out of touch with the younger generation. However, I have witnessed it with people my own age. Just now, my mother sent me a text: "how r u". I love my mother. She corrected her children to speak properly and politely. Is this where we are going? Should I just accept it now? I thought ,with the growing popularity of smart phones, text speak would quit taking over everyday communication. A few days ago, a coworker approached me and said, "BTW, the copier is broken again." We are actually reducing live speech to acronyms now?

Can someone with children tell me, are they even still teaching handwriting in school? Do children still stress out over making their first cursive "S"?

Lastly, can someone tell me what SMH stands for? I am too embarrassed to ask my little sister and I need to respond to her text message.

-Obviously Out of Touch

[Alty]

You're not alone, not at all.

It's a growing concern. I don't see it getting better any time soon. People are getting lazy. It even happens on this site, and we have a strict rule against chat speak.

I have two children aged 9 (10 on Sunday) and 13 (14 in less than 2 weeks), and neither one of them uses chat speak/text talk. I forbid it. Of course this could also have something to do with the fact that they're the only kids in their classes that don't have cell phones, that don't text, and they don't email other kids. If they want to talk to a friend, they call them and talk to them.

You started this post by saying that you're not a good speller, or great with grammar. I find your post a breath of fresh air. You write clearly, you use punctuation. You have nothing to worry about.

Last point. SMH means "smack my head". :)

[Wondergirl]

I feel your pain. Back when rocks were cooling, I was taught the Palmer Handwriting Method in school, but handwriting isn't even thought of nowadays. Yes, the English language is going downhill, especially when students blithely turn in term papers full of texting and expect their teachers to be able to read them

The lack of caps and punctuation and shortened words with letters missing are done on smartphones or cell phones. Making a capital letter is a "painful" process and slows down the texting of a message. Punctuation is also difficult to do, so you will see posts in which there is a large block of text with no periods at all (like James Joyce's stream of consciousness writing).

SMH = shaking my head

You might like to save this link on your computer -- What does SMH mean? - SMH Definition - Meaning of SMH - InternetSlang.com

WG, site editor SMH

[Alty]

SMH = shaking my head

Great, I can't even get my chat speak right. :(

I was told it stands for smack my head. Sigh.

This is why I hate text talk! I'm going to start making up my own stuff, then I'll sit back and not tell anyone what it means. :)

[smoothy]

Not just English grammar skills... they can't do math without a calculator, don't grasp Civics at all (have to be American to know what that class is). Etc... etc...

[odinn7]

I agree that de english language is going downhil.

Seriously, this is a great post. I have to be honest, I use the text speak when I'm texting as it just seems easier on my dinky phone. Aside from that, I try to do my best with spelling and such and it completely annoys me when I see otherwise. So many posts here where people not only use text speak but where they have absolutely no punctuation at all... one long run-on sentence. I usually just skip those as I figure I don't want to waste my time.

[smoothy]

People that do that appear to poorly educated... and its hard to take them seriously. Since they obviously don't take their question seriously enough to take the few extra seconds to spell things, and make an attempt at using sentences and paragraphs.

Now keep in mind, I am not speaking about people who English is clearly a second or third language. I can spot them very quick... and make allowances, and I do understand the difficulties of a language that you aren't completely fluent in, that isn't the only language you know.

[Magpie95]

Thank you, Alty and Wondergirl. Now, my sister's text makes sense. I was able to respond with ease!

Smoothy, unfortunately, "poorly educated" means "normally educated" these days. I would like to hear more mothers and fathers correcting their children. I was reprimanded for saying "ain't", "What for?" and "Nuh-uh". Needless to say, my mother has an iPad and an iPhone and she has relaxed a bit.

It's only a matter of time, the Urban Dictionary will become acceptable reference material.

I am glad I am not the only one. At 35 years old, I am too young to be an old biddy. I was prepared to start yelling at kids to get off my lawn, though.

I manage a small cross-section of the masses. I often receive emails that are perplexing. For example, I received this response yesterday: "Mines are done. I'm all good." I manage a team of people that audit mortgages for compliance. I worry.