The perception that people are less interested in proper spelling and grammar these days might have some merit, and there are several potential reasons for this observation:
Informal Communication: With the rise of digital communication, such as texting, instant messaging, and social media, people often prioritize speed and convenience over formal correctness. In these contexts, abbreviated words, acronyms, and informal language are common.
Autocorrect and Predictive Text: The prevalence of smartphones and their autocorrect and predictive text features may lead to errors going unnoticed or being automatically corrected without the user's awareness.
Lack of Emphasis in Education: In some educational settings, there may be less emphasis on formal grammar and spelling, leading to decreased attention to these aspects of language.
Online Platforms and Social Media: On social media platforms, character limits, and casual communication norms may encourage the use of shorthand and less attention to formal grammar.
Multilingual Communication: In diverse and multicultural environments, people communicating in a language that is not their first language may make errors in spelling and grammar.
Typing and Thumb Typing: Typing on small screens or using one's thumbs on mobile devices can increase the likelihood of errors, especially in fast-paced conversations.
However, it's essential to note that while these trends may suggest a decline in formal spelling and grammar, it does not mean that people are incapable of using proper language when necessary. Different contexts demand different communication styles, and formal language is still expected in many professional and academic settings.
As for basic apostrophes, they are indeed a common source of mistakes, but this is just one aspect of grammar that people might struggle with. Grammar is a complex system, and errors can arise from various factors, including language background, education, exposure to written material, and individual attention to detail.
Overall, while there may be observable trends in informal language use, it is not necessarily an indication of declining language skills across the board. People can still demonstrate proper spelling and grammar when it is appropriate or required.