Foxy,

A doctor's handwriting - often illegible to non-medical people - has nothing in common with typed CV's. Grammar and spelling is not an issue for chemists filling the prescriptions, and the doctor is not looking for a job. I really don't see the point to your comment.

If the subject article (is a subscription needed to view?) is referring to poor spelling and grammar, the deficiencies have roots in primary schooling, years 4-5 and on.

These are some of the reasons why Asian parents prefer independent coaching providers, private schools (selective) and the occasional superior State school. And children are removed from the State system as early as financially possible.

There are some Catholic junior schools that are very popular with Asian parents and for good reason, excellence in the fundamentals, well organised sports coaching and economic.

Many scientists, engineers, doctors, still struggle
to communicate effectively - both in writing and
in their choice of words. Poor communication is evident
among all sectors of Australian society. I remember the
days when the way you communicated (written and oral)
reflected your education level. And if you were not
able to do so effectively it was looked upon as an
impediment. Today- it seems - its - anything goes.

Luckily for me I had an English Mistress you insisted
that we don't use "shortcuts" in our language, either
spoken or written. That
we put endings onto our words and enunciate properly.
She also did not allow any slang. That I picked up
later on in life - and what fun that was.

I'm not sure what the teaching requirements are today -
but I do find that many people are capable of
thinking brilliantly. Expressing is another matter all
together. Perhaps we need to receive some form of
communication training - how to choose words, for
clarity and understanding especially when writing
one's CV. Impressions do matter after all.

Where people have missed out in their schooling and most likely have not been encouraged to read, they take their lead from the media, where they often believe that the modelling is correct (excepting where comedy is made obvious).

However even the publicly-funded national broadcaster is rife with poor pronunciation and poor English generally. Affirmative action and Political Correctness. The late James Dibble is sadly missed. Still much better than the commercial media which is woeful.

I wonder what adventure books are available for boys in primary schools? Maybe the books that are being deemed suitable for them are not what they would pick up and read.

In another life when I wore blue, I 'field breached' this foreign bloke, who spoke and understood English reasonably well I thought, for DMD, a fairly serious breach under the old Motor Traffic ACT (now upgraded to the Crimes ACT 1900 I believe). One NOT dealt with, with the usual 'On the Spot Fine, which meant he need NOT attend Court.

I 'jumped the box' gave my evidence, and the Magistrate asked if he wanted to respond. He did, and for nearly tens minutes he spoke nothing but a whole load of garbled words. Given it was a serious vehicular offence. the magistrate asked for an Interpreter and adjourned proceedings.

When next Court convened, complete with the blokes interpreter, it was established he came from some, obscure province in Yugoslavia that spoke another dialect. By this time I could see my DMD slowly dissipating, as this bloke was clearly misleading the Court, especially the Magistrate.

Anyway without dragging things on, ad nauseam - the Magistrate dismissed the charge of 'Drive Manner Dangerous' (DMD) and reduced it to simple 'speed', in excess of 20km. above the posted speed limit. Can't recall the actual fine. He claimed he couldn't read and understand the traffic signs ( 5 or 6 of the damn things, including a School). The Magistrate accepted his story, however he did refer the bloke's papers to the Commissioner, to have his fitness and qualification to hold a Driver's Licence re-examined. In order to establish whether he should re-sit the entire Driving Licence examination over again.

Had he gone down on DMD, he was facing; possible 3 - 6 months gaol, automatic cancellation of his DL, and a very substantial monetary Penalty. Go figure. His reading and speaking abilities were as sound as mine. Instead, his only penalty (in those days) was a $100 fine or so, and the possibility or re-sitting his Driver's Licence Test. He was indeed lucky, he wasn't facing a Coroners Court Inquiry. For speeding through primary School Stop signs; intersections, ignoring other Stop signs and pedestrian crossings, etc.

I remember one incident in the library when I was
helping an elderly Chinese gentleman to fill out
his membership form. I asked him what his surname
was and he said what I thought was "Mnnnnn?
So I repeated my question. He again clearly said,
"Mnnnnnn." This went on for a while. And I thought
what the heck's wrong with this man - is he deaf -
because every time I asked for his name he kept
saying, "Mnnnnnn." Until a colleague of mine came
up to me and whispered (while trying not to laugh).
His name is - 'NG."

Oooops.
Stupid me!