Another issue is that some people simply can't read at a level to be functionally literate.

You have a lot of non-native English speakers/readers and their level of expression and comprehension can range from pidgeon English to a competence putting the rest of us to shame.

But then you have the other kind, stuck at a 3rd grade reading level. There just isn't any real chance of them coping with Technical English in a field like computer programming which has its own vocabulary (which can even vary by vendor and specific technology used).


And then you have your Brits and hangers-on: Bizarre attempts at the spelling of words. Freaky use of "to" as a universal preposition. Not to mention the various bits of slang and cant they inject into written prose involuntarily.

That ignores their funky "pro-nun-ski-a-tion" - just give a listen to BBC Radio sometime if you really want a belly laugh. They seem to have a hell of a time with many vowels and diphthongs. One can only wonder if they're more comfortable writing in Saxon runes too.

Sadly some of it seems to be leaking and spreading, and even U.S. journalists and newscasters spew such illiteracy lately.