Poll

For me, it kind of depends on the reason why they speak incorrect English... If the person is an English language learner, then no... I can actually sympathize with them...

Ren, I agree - I'm assuming that the writer of the poll was referring to people who should know better....

Well I don't speak English very well 'cause English is not my native language but I'm trying to improve my English xD

!!! Read the Chaos Walking series by Patrick Ness. The improper english totally creates such a unique, intriguing voice.

Good point. Lots of great books through the ages use dialect and uneducated speech in the dialogue to show more about the characters.

I think most people speak incorrect English. It bothers me much more to read it in a book, unless its part of the character's dialect...therefore intentional.

Speech problems make it difficult to speak properly. So just remember that before you judge someone who doesn't sound exactly the way you'd like.

However, I am somewhat of a Grammar Nazi when it comes to the written word.

When they speak bad English, no. When they write it, yes.

I agree with Cheryl, the creator of the poll is probably referring to people who should know better. I'm not from an English speaking country. But we've been so exposed to the language since we were kids, that it's really annoying if someone continuously makes horrible mistakes while speaking or writing.

So ya, if you come to India and find a more-or-less educated person speaking improper English, judge away...:P

@chryso: You have definitely succeeded, girl! XD

No. I find it rather charming, when a speaker has an accent. What would annoy me is,to find some grammar errors in a book. That I did sometimes. Or a language error. But this is an overlooking from the publishers part I think.

I speak English badly, too... But I'm not a native speaker. I think one should speak her/his mother tonque as good as possible, my German is really good (not perfect, but mostly correct). People who speak foreign languages (like English, in my case) should try to speak it as good as they can, but mistakes happen and that is okay. I don't have a problem with foreign people speaking incorrect German, and I hope people don't mind if I make grammar or spelling mistakes in English language.

Chay wrote: "No. Grammar nazis (or whatever they call themselves) should understand that not everyone has English as their native tongue. People often use the term "wrong grammar" without realizing that grammar..." Very true.

As a student of linguistics, it really doesn't bother me. Language is in a constant state of flux - there really is no right or wrong way to speak, meanings are constantly changing and new words are being coined all the time.

The written part of language is the most reluctant to change though and I certainly understand why.

Speaking and writing correctly are very important, but I don't get very upset at incorrect grammar. I make a lot of mistakes as well, so I am very understanding.

There are times when I want to correct a person's grammar, but I don't always follow that temptation. I am like this because another person's grammar, even if that person is a writer, is often none of my business. If a person works for me, then she must show a level of professionalism in how she communicates with others. Her grammar becomes my business. Also, I may correct the grammar of a young family member. School teachers and proofreaders are also those who have to make it their business to help their students and clients use correct grammar.

I do accept a bit of criticism from others for my grammar, but I will continue to make grammar mistakes throughout life. If a person is open to my advice, I will provide it with a respectful and understanding way.

I am actually more concerned about the heart and meaning of what a person says. Some of the wisest and most insightful people speak incorrect English. Some of the most forgettable people include those who place more emphasis on correct words and not on the "soul" of what they are saying. Some of the best speakers and writers, in my experience, were the ones who communicated amazing new ideas and raw passion within broken speech and writing.

When you don't have "heart' behind your communication, then even wonderful grammar becomes just a lovely sounding and forgettable breeze.

It doesn't really matter as long as you can understand each other. My English isn't perfect either :)

I am actually fluent in English, but there wasn't a simple "no" answer. Some people just have to relies that not everyone's first language is English and that its okay to make mistakes :/

If English is their first language then yes, if it isn't their first then no.

It depends for me, if English is not their first language then I don't mind. I'm trying to learn French so I understand that learning another language is challenging, even remembering words much less proper grammar!

No, of course not! Especially if someone is speaking it as a second language, or maybe they have difficulty speaking in general because of a lisp maybe or something, or maybe they are learning to speak while deaf....whatever reason they have, English can be a difficult thing to learn if you're not used to it, as with a lot of things, so I sympathize with that person instead of getting annoyed.
Even if it's a first language, sometimes where you grow up or what accent you develop will be different. Honestly, I hear all sorts of English with all sorts of accents every day and it doesn't bother me at all. If I can understand you, it's fine.

I don't get upset when people don't speak english correctly when it is their second language. But, when it's your first language it aggravates me to death.

For me, it can make me a little annoyed but then i remember i make mistakes too, and it's not this person's fault that they are not good with the language. We really should stop criticizing people over their abilities, especially with languages.

For me, typing English and speaking English are two different things. Speaking is live. You make mistakes very easily when you're "running your mouth off." When it comes to typing/writing, however, you have more time to think, so it makes more sense to put in the proper effort. I often use writing as a vehicle to try out new big vocabulary words and sentence structures.