[Thierry.C]

I've just discovered this thread and find the various subjects very interesting. So I'll add my pinch of salt.

Originally Posted by Sil_liS

In my language (Romanian) the word is "comentator"

In French it's "commenta-teur/-trice", too. But althoug I found it natural for "speech", I would prefer "the one who left a comment" for writing.

Originally Posted by mr ploppy

I think most of the best creative types are mentally damaged in some way. [...] I think it's more that writing attracts a lot of people with mental illness.

Interesting. I would have formulated it a bit differently, though (mental illness is relative). Something like: writing attracts people who prefer to express themselves differently; who "think" or "behave" differently.

Originally Posted by Quexos

If an author, someone that is supposed to be a guardian of correct spelling and syntax and other such concerns dismisses rudely it which he is supposed to uphold, literature is doomed.

I do not (completely) agree with this idea. OK if all authors are concerned. Furthermore, I do not think (all) authors are supposed to uphold a correct usage of language, and even less to uphold literature. Authors convey a message, if any. Nothing more, nothing less. Most of them love written expression and, maybe, readers have therefore came to think they "deserve" it. In other words, the purpose of writing is far from being the sole beauty of itself.

Originally Posted by Dazrin

Some typos I can forgive. But too many and I start to have problems. Anyone who is this blatant about not caring will not get any time/money from me.

I'm particularly finicky with typography, about which most people do not care at all (or believe so...).

Originally Posted by anamardoll

I will add that good authors can use bad spelling and bad grammar judiciously to make a stylistic point.

Even more peculiar punctuation and typography (for me).

Originally Posted by anamardoll

... I don't award demerits for errors unless they're just truly distracting. I mean, hey, errors happen.

I act similarly with students (engineering, not literature...).

Originally Posted by Xanthe

If an author can't be bothered to spell or punctuate correctly, then I can't be bothered to read his/her work. If they can't be bothered to learn and use their own language intelligibly, then I'm not going to waste my time trying to decipher their meaning. Laziness like that shouldn't be rewarded with either my time or my money.

I completely agree about laziness; I partially agree with the first sentence; and disagree with the second one: wouldn't you let any chance to a near-illiterate to tell his/her wonderful story, when he/she share it with you graciously?

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

...but there are a lot more MR members who now know this guys name and may have even visited his website than there were yesterday.

True.


Lastly, I'll play devil's advocate... Although I globally disagree with the ideas expressed by that guy, I think he stressed out an interesting point: language is perpetually evolving (e.g., SMS), nobody control its evolution, and language is somehow made by itself (i.e., you cannot prevent it from metamorphosing; nothing can resist usage*)

* I'm not sure usage is a good translation of the French usage here. I mean a notion like practice, customs, habits, manners ...

Thierry

P.-S.: I read a p-book once, which had obviously not been proof-read by the editor... That is not forgivable (for the editor, at least).