User Comments

1. 

   2/06/08

   Aprilfreelance

   The link you provided goes to a picture, not a blog post.
   
   "Instead of nitpicking on these less significant part of blogging"
   
   I consider proper spelling and grammar usage to be a great indicator of the value and trustworthiness of a blog, as do most people. If a blog has a lot of basic English errors, I will not continue to read it.
   
   The only advice I can give is to use a good grammar and spell checker program, read a lot of English material so that you are exposed to the proper use of words, punctuation and sentence structure, and let your audience know upfront that English is your second language.

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2. 

   2/06/08

   clioandme

   I have some relevant posts on my language blog, which I aim both at native and non-native speakers.
   
   language4you.wordpress.com

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3. 

   2/06/08

   Manictastic

   Grammar and spelling are crucial, no matter if you are or aren't a native English-speaker. Of course, there are some minor things which people can forgive, but if the post becomes hard to understand because of grammatical mistakes, it is logical that people won't bother to read the entire post.

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   1. 

      2/06/08

      clioandme

      "... no matter if you are or aren't a native English-speaker."
      
      Ain't that the truth!
4. 

   2/06/08

   freeatlast

   True... as former english teacher (current waitress)... i have a ridiculous amount of respect for those using English as a second language for their blogs. If anyone has travelled... speaking and writing in another language takes a lot of courage and practice.
   
   I have no problem overlooking grammar mistakes, even among native speakers to a certain degrees. If the content is worth reading, i'll still read it and don't demonize Anyone for their lack of english skills. I would love to help with spelling and grammar if wanted!
   
   How about starting a separate group where nonenglish/english speakers can come to discuss grammar and spelling? People who are interested in offering KIND advice could join in to help out on these questions. I'll look into this Group idea if no one else does. Maybe it already exists.

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   1. 

      2/06/08

      techfun

      We have the First Readers group that I wanted to use to provide that role at www.blogcatalog.com/group/first-readers
      
      Wanna be a co-admin on it Christine and try getting it going?
   2. 

      2/06/08

      freeatlast

      I like your idea here. Will consider it. Also interested in straight out english grammar/spelling place were threads can be started and answered by anyone. Does that exist?
   3. 

      2/06/08

      techfun

      I have a forum site not currently in use at www.firstreaders.org/ that I created for that purpose. I think it would work well. Anok and I also thought about a email listserv type thing people could use to send out a shout to ask people for help or let them know that a new post in need of proofing.
   4. 

      2/06/08

      freeatlast

      Can this be done without encouragin scams and spam? Not sure how the email listserv thing works...
   5. 

      2/06/08

      techfun

      It would be a private list like help@firstreaders.org and not something quasi-public like Yahoo Groups. We'd have complete control over the membership of the list and could easily eliminate anyone who abused the privilege of belonging. I think if we keep on target of helping people with their writing and word selection.
5. 

   2/06/08

   techfun

   badly tree'd

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