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I am gibberish illiterate!

21/08/08 @ 10:59 am

Warning: I am going to act like a total bitch right now and say a few mean things. So don’t read if you don’t want to. I warned you!

Grammar? Do you guys know what grammar is? I am not the best at it, but I can put a few sentences together and make sense. I studied English all my life. Also, I am bilingual. I studied two languages growing up, Arabic and English.

I am going to admit, I suck at writing Arabic now cause I don’t practice it. However, I can read and write, but I will not write in Arabic because it will be embarrassing for me since I can’t write well. So I avoid it, and only write in English. Hence, my blog is 99.99% English.

Why am I discussing grammar? What’s the point? The point is, that if you cannot WRITE English well, don’t write it! Screw spelling. I can live with your spelling mistakes, but grammar? Seriously, DON’T comment or email me trying to write a couple of sentences or paragraph and except me to understand it. I DON’T UNDERSTAND IT! I am gibberish illiterate and I look down upon HORRIBLE grammar! Please, don’t WRITE in English. Write it in Arabic. I can read! Or write in English phonetics. I can read it, and I understand it. I am fluent! Don’t worry! However, DON’T write in English if you think that directly translating from Arabic writing to English writing would make sense. It doesn’t at all!

Let me point out the most common problems I see.

1. In English, there is no feminine or masculine nouns! We use pronouns he/she/it/they for that!
2. In English, “a” is used before a word that starts with a consonant to suggest the singularity of an object, and “an” before a word that starts with a vowel!
3. In English, singular and plural verbs don’t all end in “s”. It is not “they wants!”
4. In English, apostrophes are used for a reason, especially in “its” (possessive) and it’s (it is).

I can write more grammar problems I see every day, but my fingers hurt right now from banging on the keyboard! So if you are weak in English, don’t write it thinking that a direct translation will work! It doesn’t. I remember from elementary school that Arabic grammar is not so easy. It is very different and complicated. So don’t bother. No one will understand it. Either you sit down and learn some basic grammar, or save me the trouble of scratching my head trying to figure out what you are trying to say. I am not so bright when it comes to gibberish. So spare me the trouble, and just write it in the language you are familiar with. I can READ both languages and comprehend them!

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Angry, Blah Blah, They said what?, Whatever!



  1. August 21st, 2008 at 11:41 | #1

    Strangely, Mona, I’ve found that much of the time, native English speakers are worse at grammatically-correct writing than native English speakers (and writers).

    I give a LOT of leeway to writers who are not native, but I have very little patience for American/English writers who a miserable spellers and bad at grammar. I’ll forgive small mistakes once in awhile (even a BIG mistake once in awhile), but not all the time.

    Namaste,
    A. Caleb Hartley

  2. August 21st, 2008 at 12:37 | #2

    I thought maybe your permanent bad attitude was work related. Looks like I was wrong … hmmm, I’ll have to think for a bit on my new theory – back to you soon.

    In all seriousness, I hope things are well. All the best. :???: Canucklehead

  3. August 21st, 2008 at 12:40 | #3

    It’s funny how you said, “permanent bad attitude.” And why you think it is only work related? You said permanent. So it is permanent.

  4. August 21st, 2008 at 16:32 | #4

    Bad grammar is the least of my worries. :-|

  5. Mohammad
    August 22nd, 2008 at 07:33 | #5

    ثانك يو
    ساوندز انترستينج :laugh:
    وات دو يو ثينك اوف ذيس أرابو انجليش

    So now as you have some time to think about your future plans, how about being an English as a second language teacher :)

  6. August 22nd, 2008 at 08:02 | #6

    loool
    That is hilarious Mohammad!

    But me being a teacher? Mish kharjy!! Ba3od atmaskhar.. lol

  7. Mohammad
    August 22nd, 2008 at 08:50 | #7

    Check this video :grin:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoWXaPLcqYA

    I love ياسر العظمة

  8. August 22nd, 2008 at 08:52 | #8

    Oh my God!! I love watching “Marayah.” This video is hilarious.. I love the way Arabs change English words to Arabic dialect. My mom and dad do that. Hilarious!

  9. jade
    August 22nd, 2008 at 08:56 | #9

    LOL..Ok I have to admit I’m a sucker for grammar..I stink..That’s the problem with public school here-they stop teaching us grammar in grade 5 ( back in the day)..but I am not going to blame my sucky-ness for grammar on anyone else but me!…yet, I came a long way hence, I’m almost done my undergrad and planning on my future studies..so grammar is not important for now ( I dont even write papers in uni..thats pre med for you!!!! ) Anyways practice makes perfect. :)

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