Editorial: Working on good grammar

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Call me a word snob, but I can't take anyone seriously who lacks a simple grasp of good grammar and spelling.

In this fast-paced world, we are seeing less emphasis on accuracy when it comes to writing, and frankly it's sad.

I'm not saying my writing is perfect - many a clever sub-editor has pulled me up over the years for spelling the odd word wrong or getting the odd phrase muddled. Although 100 per cent accuracy is always the goal, mistakes happen.

But there's a difference between making a mistake because we are rushed and complete ignorance.

I'm still surprised at the number of job applications we get from people wanting to do our jobs who don't know where an apostrophe belongs, or who clearly can't tell the difference between to and too.

It seems the growing popularity of texting and posting on social media sites has made our understanding of the English language worse. How often do we cringe at the lazy language on Facebook?

On Saturday we reported new Ministry of Education figures that show more than a quarter of Rotorua's primary school pupils are reading and writing below the national standard.

The figures show 28 per cent of Rotorua pupils were reading below the national standard in 2013 and nearly 36 per cent were writing below the national standard. The figures have slipped since 2012.

Westbrook Primary principal Colin Watkins said "electronic babysitters", an increase in single-parent families and a higher percentage of families with both parents working contributed to the decline in oral literacy.

Thankfully, Excel Rotorua has a new programme in place to try and combat the figures, but more needs to be done.

Every parent and child needs to raise their standards. Good grammar and spelling should be practised, even if it's just leaving a phone message.