Last year, I was reading poetry on Google+ when I ran across someone's work, and the line read,

"I shutter to think...."

...and I immediately shuddered, visualizing both a camera and a window! I'm sure that I have been guilty of using the wrong homophone, or using a word or phrase out of context, but I find poor spelling and grammar becoming more and more acceptable.

Most notably is the use of "texting language" such as using "u" in place of "you" and so on. It spoils the poem, for me. To be honest, I can't continue to read.

I am curious, do others have this same aversion?

How topical. I opened my mail today to find a reputable poetry journal with 4 of my poems in. Great! However, the first word of the editorial (the first!) was a typo. As was the first word of the guest interview. I have since found about 3 bad typos. I wont tell you which one it was!
I find this infuriating. I can totally understand typos in emails, texts (not that I have a phone) etc. But in papers, magazines etc it is, for me, inexcusable. I think its a sign of the times though.

First of all, congratulations on your publication!

I am with you, it is completely unacceptable. i do hope that you contact the Editor and that corrections are publicized. I send my sympathies!

I sorely hope that it is not a sign of the times as that just makes me sad; but, judging from from your experience, you are probably right.

thanks!

its a real bug bear of mine. especially if the mistake is found in a piece that is supposed to showcase language.

I wonder if part of the problem is that, since we do so much of our writing on computers, we've become used to the spell-check facility, and rely on that. Useful if you completely mis-spell a word, but not so good when you type another word instead. I emailed a poetry night organiser recently to say I'd be arriving by car, but typed 'cat'. He responded by asking if it was a particularly big one. Txt spk is bnkrs, mind.

i'm coming to see you in chester on the tenth. please arrive by cat.

I look forward to meeting you, Stu!

Unfortunately, April's transport of choice is not cat. I shall make my way there by roach or monkey.

Apologies. That should have read 'coach or donkey'.

The quality of grammar, both oral and printed, is appalling here in the UK. With spelling close behind. University graduates on the diverse airwaves lead the parade; and government publications of all types need a Yr. 5 proof-reader.

Texting typo's are bound to occur, with the speed of interchange and finger slips. I don't mind Text Code - such 'shorthand symbolism' has been around forever. Informality is cliquish.

But childish errors in formal articles, letters, broadcasts etc. are inexcusable. I thought it was just me. I also think that printed poetry should have a Primary 6 grasp of spelling and grammar, as a basic. People using written English as a 2nd, 3rd or 4th language often use it more carefully than we do.

Just read the Guardian for some toe-curling solecisms and much use of US spelling and idiom, and that in serious journalism. Since Greg left, the standard of sub-editing on that newspaper has slid.

As for poetry, we do get quite a few howlers on the website. Like Cynthia, I don't want to read on. If writers cannot be bothered to check their work before posting, why should I be bothered to read? Have a nice day all of you.

Quiet, Julian.

I mean Quite, Julian.

No, I was write first time.

I know exactly what you're saying! It's one of the reasons I quit Facebook because of the horrendous amount of people refusing to use proper words and grammar etc.!

I can understand those with dyslexia or some other condition not getting their words and so on right but as a whole, people these days have no idea about a decent level of spelling.

The ''u'' and ''r'' type of thing drives me nuts and if someone texts me with such language I refuse to respond!