Bad Spelling

[Wisebird]

Does anyone else get cross about spelling mistakes in answers being picked up on by those replying? I think it is rude and insensitive. People genuinely want answers not sarcastic comments. Lots of people are bad spellers - it has nothing to do with intelligence. Perhaps I am over sensitive as I have a dyslexic son, but I would not dream of picking people up over their spelling or grammar. It it serves to do is put genuine people off using AB. This might be a job for school teachers but not for people on AB

[londondave]

I am a good speller and have been told my handwriting is nice, but I have bad finger coordination due to enlarged and very sensitive nerves in my fingers which makes using a keyboard difficult. Usually causing lots of type errors rather than spelling mistakes. u n l e s s I t y p e s l o w l i k e t h i s.

[Wisebird]

So sorry, I meant spelling mistakes in Questions, but I suppose this could equally apply to spelling mistakes in the answers as well.

[pinus]

No, you're not over-sensitive, Anniekon: it's childish rudeness. If a spelling correction is needed for an effective Google search (for instance) that's a different matter

[Robinia]

Hi Anniekon, I've said previously on here that it's not spelling that bothers me but I do find 'text speak' extremely annoying. I don't think we need it on here - I'm sure the AB isn't that short of space! As I also said before it takes me 10 times longer to read than normal text so sometimes I just don't bother with the Q's or A's.

[vittoria]

I have got the impression, at times, that picking on spelling mistakes and typos is used as a put down on the person who posted the question and I think it would be best to ignore the mistakes.

[smudge]

Hi Anniekon, my sentiments entirely! My nearest & dearest nephew is dyslexic, but he writes the nicest letters & we understand them. He is also very clever with his hands & would put some AB users to shame! People can't be good at everything & there should not be a stigma at not being able to spell correctly, or indeed as 'some others' would prefer them to. I also agree with noddy regarding using 'text speak' on here. It doesn't help anyone & the user is just being lazy!

[andy hughes]

I can see your point. I too make typos regulalry, so i never pick up other people's errors. If something is mis-spelled in a Question, I simply type it correctly in the Answer if it comes up, but I would never do it on purpose, or draw attention to it - my Anser to the 'Louis Louis' Question in 'Adverts' demonstrates my take on this. I wouldn't let it bother you - at least Spelmonster isn't riding roughshod over all of us any more!

[Wisebird]

Noddy, I do agree with you about text speak! It is creeping in at work on emails, etc. (we are a paperless office) and, being an old codger, I don't understand it half the time!

[saffstar]

I agree totally about what's been said about both spelling mistakes and text speak. I'm still quite far off being an 'old codger' but I don't understand it either.

[Philtaz]

I don't like the text speak thing but take issue over spelling. Dyslexia is a different matter altogether as opposed to bad spelling, which should be rectified otherwise how do children learn? I have a son with hearing difficulties who wears hearing aids so make a point of using correct diction in front of him and have to do tongue exercises with him in order for him to learn words properly. Isn't it the same for bad spelling(dyslexia apart)? If not then how do they learn?

[Philtaz]

Further to my last post don't we usually correct our children when they constantly use words(speech) like 'gonna', 'innit', 'gorra' etc? I'm sure the vast majority of us do if we're honest!

[pinus]

But we don't correct complete strangers -- we accept what they say and how they say it.

[Wraith]

There is also the way that some people correct your spelling. I've had my bad spelling pointed out to me several times and to be perfectly honest I only take offence from the ones that correct me with an attitude of 'Don't you know anything'. If it's pointed out politely and is genuinely to help me then I don't mind.

I just hope no one starts pulling me up on my grammar and punctuation.

[Philtaz]

Pinus, So why ask complete strangers for advice and answers then?

[Wisebird]

Philtaz. Yes I would correct my children's spelling. What I am talking about is correcting the spelling of AB people. If they ask us to correct their spelling, then we would do so. However, they are asking ask questions unconnected with their use of language, and don't expect an English lesson in return. It is impolite to point their spelling mistakes. If a complete stranger asks you the way, you don't tell them that their sentence is incorrectly constructed, you just give them instructions!

[Philtaz]

Not always Anniekon. I once remember a Doctor asking me the way to 'Casuality'. I told him. adding "ah, you mean Casualty". Was that impolite or was I assisting him in his use of English and saving him possible future embarrassment?

[Wisebird]

Philtaz, Point score to you my friend. However, I think in most cases it would just antagonise. Anyway, perhaps the doctor wanted to know your thoughts on how he could dress more casually, as he liked your style!

[Philtaz]

Anniekon, your judgement is impeccable! Points taken. Hope there's no hard feelings over this?

[Philtaz]

P.S. When I said points taken I meant I have taken yours on board, not that I was scoring them!

[Wisebird]

Philtaz, know harde felings at all my frend!