are a lot of you math and science types poor at english

TheStatutoryApe

I have found that logic oriented people such as mathematicians and scientists tend to view language more as a static system of rules and values. So I would say that most scientists and mathematicians are probably far more conscious and critical of grammar and linguistic skills than others. This isn't restricted to scientists and mathematicians though. There are plenty of so-called "left brained" persons in other fields including english teachers who are greatly annoyed at any minor lapse in grammar or students who violate their favoured preference on such subjects as split infinitives.

There are of course many people who are comfortable with both logic and perceive language as organic rather than static. Obviously we can't treat people according to stereotypes though I would say that in general "scientists" and "mathematicians" are probably the opposite of the theory implied by the OP.

Pythagorean

s'long as yer makin' at yer point thoroughly, it don't matter if ya follow every lil rule. Language aint learned so much as tis created.

Jimmy Snyder

I full agreements do with the OP. For years many now I been altering my style writing to conform with the low astonishly PF standards. Now but I feel liberatedly to write standarded English as it is spoked by me and everyone around me since childhood growing up. Thanks you to sportsstar469.

sportsstar469

Quote by Mark44

If you stood outside the English department at any US university, I wager that you would find less than 10% of the students (and faculty) who could compute a simple integral or perform a simple kinematics calculation. John Allen Paulos published several books about 15 years ago, one of which was Innumeracy. His point was that there were many people who were generally acknowledged as intellectuals, but whose knowledge of mathematics didn't extend to anything more current than the 14th century, and whose knowledge of science was about the same.

On the other hand, a lot of people who are very well-versed in mathematics and the sciences are at least competent at writing in their native language. In addition, you'll find a fair number of musicians among mathematicians and scientists, despite music being considered a "right brain" activity.

maybe, but in all fairness, for professional purposes, english majors do not need above pre algebra if tghat to accomplish their daily tasks. i heard they were raising the math requirements for elementary school teachers as well, which i find ridiculous. the argument is that elementary school teachers should be competent enough to teach advanced math so they can teach basic math better. what's funny is my trig teacher makes basic addition mistakes, and shes taken classes far beyond calc..

sportsstar469

Quote by Moonbear

There are more errors in your posts than just typos. One major error is the incorrect usage of capitalization. That shift key really isn't all that hard to find, is it? There are errors in placement of commas, placement of apostrophes, usage of prepositions, etc. As you should be realizing, many of us here consider proper usage of English to be quite important. In fact, if you cannot write proper English, you will struggle to be a successful scientist, since scientists spend a lot of their time writing.

By the way, what is your "type?" Your thread title seems to suggest that you consider "math and science types" to be something different from yourself. Hopefully, you're not an English major.

im a science major hoping to go to med school./

Chi Meson

Quote by Moonbear

There are more errors in your posts than just typos. One major error is the incorrect usage of capitalization. That shift key really isn't all that hard to find, is it? There are errors in placement of commas, placement of apostrophes, usage of prepositions, etc. As you should be realizing, many of us here consider proper usage of English to be quite important. In fact, if you cannot write proper English, you will struggle to be a successful scientist, since scientists spend a lot of their time writing.

By the way, what is your "type?" Your thread title seems to suggest that you consider "math and science types" to be something different from yourself. Hopefully, you're not an English major.

Dang it Moonb, that was gonna be MY post!

Sportsstar, you are NOT good at writing. Stop kidding yourself. And forget about the "left brain right brain" stuff. People do have areas where they are more talented, but being good at science does NOT preclude being good at other things. Writing is a discipline just as science is a discipline. Being good at something takes education and practice.

So you relax, drop the subject, and learn where capitalization, commas, apostrophes,and logic are supposed to fit into your posts.

xxChrisxx

Quote by sportsstar469

how am i troll? i asked a simple question. relax.... just because the question can be viewed of as less than flattering you call troll, and insult me. there's a difference between not grasping the english language and not typing properly.

Case in point.

Most people on this forum know the 'basic' english rules on the differences between similar sounding words. If they are writing papers you can be damn sure it's all Ship shape and Bristol fashion.

Fact is, this is the internet. I regulally type things wrong, not because I dont know any better but purely becuase I just dont care so long as the point is effectively communicated. I type on auto pilot so get lots of errors.

The fact that you made the very mistakes you were commenting on is highly ironic. It should also be pointed of that if someone as 'uber' at english as you claim to be, can make mistakes from typos, its safe to assume that everyone else does the same.

sportsstar469

Quote by Chi Meson

Dang it Moonb, that was gonna be MY post!

Sportsstar, you are NOT good at writing. Stop kidding yourself. And forget about the "left brain right brain" stuff. People do have areas where they are more talented, but being good at science does NOT preclude being good at other things. Writing is a discipline just as science is a discipline. Being good at something takes education and practice.

So you relax, drop the subject, and learn where capitalization, commas, apostrophes,and logic are supposed to fit into your posts.

Ive won school awards for my writing...who am i trying to kid.it was a simple ****ing question... im not an english major anyway, so having good writing skills isnt that important. it's math skills that count, and i have none haha.

and just for the record, ive never believed that one can only be talented at one discipline, i just asked a question on people's personal ability. but no matter how good you are at both disciplines, you will always be dominant at both, and saying thats theory is wrong.

sportsstar469

Quote by xxChrisxx

Case in point.

Most people on this forum know the 'basic' english rules on the differences between similar sounding words. If they are writing papers you can be damn sure it's all Ship shape and Bristol fashion.

Fact is, this is the internet. I regulally type things wrong, not because I dont know any better but purely becuase I just dont care so long as the point is effectively communicated. I type on auto pilot so get lots of errors.

The fact that you made the very mistakes you were commenting on is highly ironic. It should also be pointed of that if someone as 'uber' at english as you claim to be, can make mistakes from typos, its safe to assume that everyone else does the same.

i didnt say im an english god, i just said im exemplary at english....

cristo

Quote by sportsstar469

i didnt say im an english god, i just said im exemplary at english....

That's clearly not true, is it? I wouldn't like to see many people following you as a role model!

ideasrule

sportsstar: to counter the attacks on your English, why not type one post with proper punctuation and capitalization? I'd be shocked to death if you couldn't capitalize properly.

sportsstar469

Quote by cristo

That's clearly not true, is it? I wouldn't like to see many people following you as a role model!

Well, as someone who thrives in sciences, you should know the difference between a theory and a fact. Using clearly, would denote that you have put my english skills through the whole entire scientific method, and it is a clear fact that my english skills suck! Since that is not true, and you are speculating, my english competency based on some improperly capitalized posts on this site, your ideas are nothing but speculation and theory. it is for that reason that the word CLEARLY should be omitted from your post.
Mr. physicist.

its amazing how a simple question, can stir up so much animosity. You would think that members of the scientific community would thrive to divulge a myth, that scientists, and mathematicians are just one sided. Also that they would do this in a positive way, that would bring positive connotation to the science and math community, as opposed to negative backwash like is being done now.

when using the word exemplary to describe my english skills, i simply mean i am above average. i am no english god, nor do i wish to be one. i have a much greater interest in becoming proficient in the mathematics i will be taking. math and labs for science are my current weak points, and i have already aced the college english courses i needed to take.

arildno

Having worked, among other things, as a teacher, I can tell you that you are dead wrong:

IF a pupil is good at maths&physics, then that person is usually good in the language department as well.

The converse is not true at all.

This I can tell you from participating literally hundreds of grade settings for pupils at the end of the term; those I deem good at maths are most usually in the upper echelons in the Norwegian teacher's class, the English teacher's class, the French teacher's class etc.

But there are numerous students who struggle mightily with maths who make good grades in languages.

I'm sure Chi Meson has had similar experiences with his students.

sportsstar469

Quote by arildno

Having worked, among other things, as a teacher, I can tell you that you are dead wrong:

IF a pupil is good at maths&physics, then that person is usually good in the language department as well.

The converse is not true at all.

This I can tell you from participating literally hundreds of grade settings for pupils at the end of the term; those I deem good at maths are most usually in the upper echelons in the Norwegian teacher's class, the English teacher's class, the French teacher's class etc.

But there are numerous students who struggle mightily with maths who make good grades in languages.

no offense, but if you are so good at language, and reading comprehension, you would have seen that i am wrong on nothing. i actually said, that i dont believe in the fact that students can not excel at both. my original OP was a QUESTION on your opinions on this. Never once did i say anyone on this site was not good at english. I had just asked if this was a trend due, to a few posts i found from some members on this site. (i pointed out frylocks you're s for instance.)

to tell you the truth, ive always had the mentality, that a math professor, could learn an english professor's job much better than the english professor could learn the math's job. if the english professor could learn the math's job in the slightest bit. this im not to sure about to be quite honest./

waht

Can a mathematician write another Hamlet?

Pinu7

Quote by waht

Can a mathematician write another Hamlet?

It would be in a definition-theorem-proof format.

arildno

Quote by Pinu7

It would be in a definition-theorem-proof format.

Theorem: There is something rotten in the state of Denmark

Proof: Pick up the newspapers.

QED.

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Pythagorean Recognitions: Gold Member	s'long as yer makin' at yer point thoroughly, it don't matter if ya follow every lil rule. Language aint learned so much as tis created.

Jimmy Snyder Blog Entries: 1 Recognitions: Gold Member	I full agreements do with the OP. For years many now I been altering my style writing to conform with the low astonishly PF standards. Now but I feel liberatedly to write standarded English as it is spoked by me and everyone around me since childhood growing up. Thanks you to sportsstar469.

ideasrule Recognitions: Homework Help	sportsstar: to counter the attacks on your English, why not type one post with proper punctuation and capitalization? I'd be shocked to death if you couldn't capitalize properly.