Sense of humor:

While I'll admit that I do have a sardonic sense of humor, which most people on this forum do not appreciate: I WILL say that:

I have NEVER even attempted to correct anyone’s “typos”, nor grammar on this forum.

That would be disrespectful, in that many members come from different cultural backgrounds and countries.

Many members of this forum express their opinions and rebuttals based upon their individual and collective backgrounds, which I respect.

I got a rather disrespectful post from someone who asserted that: “I’m pontificating” and trying to “show off” my grammar.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

We all type very quickly, and “typos” are common, and I accept them. I do it, myself.

Further, there are those from different countries whose English might not be “exactly correct”. BUT --- who cares? I understand everything that they are imparting and bring to this forum.

Let’s put this to rest. I’m being “burned at the stake” (for the 9th time) for even suggesting that “grammar” is important. This is beyond ridiculous!

I NEVER said such a thing --- nor, would I ever. Possibly, I speak with “grandiloquence” --- but that’s simply because I enjoy the benefits of a “classical education” (Die Hard).

This forum is all about playing the flute, and has NOTHING to do with anyone’s “typos”, nor misuse of grammar.

I hope that this is perfectly clear.

Regards, Jim Millen

While I will be the first one to admit that my grammar stinks, at least I have the descency to work on it and I use a spell checker. I do think that grammar it important on forums. It is one think for someone from another country to post on here and make mistakes, which is perfectly acceptable in my eyes. BUT it is another thing for someone to that who SPEAKS English as their first language and not use any type of punctuation or try to make any type of sense. Now THAT I see as being lazy and disrespectful because it makes it very hard for other members on the forum to read such posts. A misspelled word here and there, yeah.. no big deal, but to not use any type of punctuation? I think that is rude.

<Added>

"I got a rather disrespectful post from someone who asserted that: “I’m pontificating” and trying to “show off” my grammar."

What post was that? I didn't see that one. Just don't respond to stuff like that and you will be fine. I used to get bantered all the time on another forum by some jerk because of my spelling. He would actually try to tell me that I must not know anything about flutes or be able to play and good because my grammar was poor. It used to ruffle my feather, but now I just ignore jerks like that now and realize they are just lonley individuals looking for some type of attention.


<Added>

I realize now that you were referring to a private email, not post. Jim, please don't take this the wrong way, but I think that for your sake and every one else that you might want to take up a private email with that particular person, not the whole board. I only suggest this because I feel a little lost and other members might as well, like we missed something and then misinterpret you entire point. Does that make sense?

Well Jim,
As a Final remark on this issue.....

I have to agree with Kara on this one. It seems like you are perhaps having a private issue with one person and it should have been handled privately with them....unless of course you actually do feel that you have been “burned at the stake” for the 9th time at which point, don't you think that there might be something to it?

Maybe it is the tone of your writing as it is perceived by other readers.
As an example, if you are going to use sarcasm or you are going to display your 'sardonic' sense of humor, shouldn't you consider displaying it in a way that it can be appreciated by the others here? Of course, it may be that the tone of your writing is not the same as the intent. We should understand this can so easily happen in written text.

"This forum is all about playing the flute, and has NOTHING to do with anyone’s “typos”, nor misuse of grammar. I hope that this is perfectly clear."

-unless this misuse of grammar is intentionally demeaning or abusive to others. At which point, don't you think that this should be pointed out to the individual or perhaps even to the others on the forum?
You can take this as constructive criticism as it is intended but I doubt that you will so I suppose at this point, the only correct response would be none of the above that I wrote but to simply agree to adhere to YOUR guidelines of correct forum etiquette.

I'm from the UK so English is our language but I would never pick up on you guys in the USA for spelling "color" wrong, after all we all know its colour

The spell checker has put a red line under colour!!!! Come on get it right

don't worry jim we all know you know alot about flutes and stuff, i agree grammah isn't important on a flute forum, we are giving advise to other flautists or prospective flautists, and it makes no differance, and those who insult me for my grammah and punctuation i don't listen too i know i don't, often use punctuation and alot of the time it is not correct but i never learnt to use it right it school, my english teacher now will tell you i am rubbish at using puctuation, if i used it correctly all the time i would be top english class, but i am not.

but anyway don't listen to them jim you don't point out peoples mistakes, we know that so just ignore them

TECHNICALLY, youre incorrect, flashman. different dialects of the same language spell and pronounce words differently. take spain and mexico. both speak spanish, but in spain they pronounce their "s" as a "th" due to a member of royalty having a lisp (correct me if im wrong). different dialects of english include cockney, "ebonics", american english, british english, and australian english. all are different, but none are exactly right. theyre really different languages. however, common punctuation rules are fairly similar (with american english slowly becoming more and more lazy. ex: "through" vs. "thru" and "door, lock, and key" vs. "door, lock and key" but dont get me started on those).

i thought id bring this up since i have really big issues with grammar. im very passionate about this and... and... and... yeah. ok im done.

It's a joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But then humor is different all around the world to.

By the way if going to be pedantic its our language, or don't you know what a means?

Chill out man.

oh, that wasnt bad. i thought id be a know-it-all for once like a couple others here on the board ::glares::

i mean, cookies anyone?

Life's to short to be serious

Leigh, I think it is very rude of you to post in such a manor. It is only showing the whole group that you do not care what we think or can not give us the same amount of courtesy by writing in a manor that is readable. If you don't feel like you can give us the time of day, then please don't expect me to answer any of your posts.

Well, I've had a lot of feed-back on grammar.

Some of it positive, but others who STILL take ISSUE with ANYTHING I say. No matter WHAT the subject.

One writer (and I'm too much of a gentleman to give you his name) suggested that since I've been burned at the stake some nine times --- there "must be a message there". Yes, and it's quite clear. This is an EXCLUSIVE forum --- not INCLUSIVE, for points I will bring OUT, below.

Another respondent (name withheld, out of respect) --- suggested my "sardonic" sense of humor is not welcome in this forum. I see. I must tailor my "unique" sense of humor so that it is understood and appreciated by everyone in this forum. Otherwise, I'm "out of place".

I get it now! I'm NOT allowed to impart a sense of humor; I'm NOT allowed to debate; I'm NOT allowed to author an OPINION (even when I state that it's such), because I'm providing "misinformation", and whatever information I provide is "worthless", anyway; I'm NOT allowed to "name-drop"; in short, I'm to sit here, passively, keep my mouth shut and let those who ARE allowed to express (their) humor; ARE allowed to debate; ARE allowed to provide (whatever) information falls within the province of their vast knowledge; AND are allowed to speak up, ANYTIME they wish, to rebut or insult another forum member, including me.
I got it, now!

Is this a "personal agenda", as in "out to get Jim" --- regardless.? Or is it just the NATURE of THIS forum? There are the "haves" and "have-nots". There are those whose VAST knowledge is far superior to mine (and others) --- and then, there are the peons, such as I, who author "worthless" contributions and are relegated to getting insulting rebuttals, regardless of HOW "nice and fair" I am trying to be. (Again these nasty rebuttals are authored by people who do NOT read my ENTIRE post, and/or do not understand the true spirit in which it WAS written).

I thought I was very clear in saying that diction, eloqution and grammar have nothing to do with this forum, and thought I was being VERY FAIR to all. YET, I still got some negative feed-backs from people, who apparently missed the entire point of my post --- and, that was to be as FAIR and polite as possible to all members in saying that, regardless of (their) typos, grammar, etc., it makes no difference to me in that the ESSENCE of their post is very clear. And, after all, that's what matters.

Please read THIS post, in it's ENTIRETY.
Then, try to respond in a responsible and friendly fashion.

I don't think that's too much to ask.

Jim Millen