why is everyone obsessed with spelling?

Question

it's so annoying because i shorten my words like this....
itz so annoyin cos i shorten mi wrdz lyk dis
!!!!

Answer 1

Every one who answered needs to get a life, if we can understand words were the middle is jumbled up then there is not need to spell well, you just have no lives and like to feel superior when really you are pathetic

Answer 2

Because the written word (on screen or paper) is a standardised means of communication. Back in the middle ages there were many spellings for many words. Even Shakespeare spelt his own name at least five different ways. However, it was found that as a form of communication, using different spellings for the same word became confusing so the powers that be standardised the spellings of important words. This caught on and all words were spelled in the same way each time they were written. Therefore, if everyone conformed to the standardised way of spelling, communication was easier.

Communication is only effective if it can be understood. Using wrdz lyk dis is perfectly acceptable when texting friends who use the same form of communication. On a board like this where people generally use standard English (no jargon, no dialect, etc) it is best to use standard English as well. The reason people are so "obsessed" is because they find it hard to understand your efforts of communication.

A final point, the example you give us of your writing does not have spelling errors. In fact, you are displaying a new dialect. A dialect is language that has its own words unique to a geographical or demographic group.

Answer 3

Spelling correctly, like most things, follows rules.
I would not say that people are obsessed with spelling (although you fail to stipulate whether this spelling obsession was with spelling correctly or merely with spelling), but rather with the desire to make themselves understood.
Take a look at this example.
John took the latter bus.
John took the later bus.
Both correctly spelt (or spelled), but they have a slight difference in meaning.
How about this example.
Mary is hopping.
Mary is hoping.
The above sentences when spoken are very clearly different, but when put onto paper the reader's understanding changes. This is because we automatically "speak" the words we read. Change the spelling and you change the pronunciation. Change the pronunciation and you invariably change the meaning.
I am not obsessed with spelling, although my students (I teach English as a foreign language) are. They complain that English doesn't have spelling rules and to the untrained eye this seems to be true. However, 97% of all English words follow spelling and pronunciation rules and it is a shame that English spelling and grammar is no longer thought to be important enough to be taught in schools.
Here's a quick example and I will leave you to work out the answer.

Why is the past form of "teach" spelt "taught" with an "a", whereas the past form of "buy" is "bought" with an "o"?

Answer it and you might start to realise (or is it realize) that spelling is important, but not as you claim, an obsession.

Answer 4

The trouble is, that standards are slipping. Harrow university gave a spelling exam to it's new entrants, only 25% passed, and all entrants had received A's in english language. How can you get an A if you cannot spell?
There is a time and a place for shortening, if you have a keyboard then you should use it, it makes you sound more intelligent. How would you feel if you received a letter from a job applicant that said. plz gis a job, i'm gud @ spelling & typ fst.

Answer 5

Ant nutin wong witit. Other than it being extremely ridiculous and inconsistent with the English language. I would rather use the shorthand version, too. The fact is, I do not wish to be thought of as a complete illiterate, if at all possible.
Speaking and writing are the only two methods of displaying ones intellectual capacity-(that I can think of). Perhaps if you look at it in the following two examples- my position will be more clear;

1. One smart feller he felt smart. (repeat this several times)

2. Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a tatol mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

We as humans have the ability to communicate. The English language has many rules of spelling, grammer, etc. very tricky sometimes.

Answer 6

Because it's far more difficult to read, if you've had more than a 3rd grade level education in reading.

Don't get me wrong, English is a screwed up language. But, those really odd things are all taught to people. We know about them. When you just single handedly change them, we don't always follow.

Also, whether or not it's true, it portrays you as an idiot. It doesn't show ingenuity or efficiency, even if that's what you mean for it to be. It just shows ignorance (I'm not saying you *are* ignorant, just that it gives that impression).

If you're writing shorthand-like notes to yourself, who cares? Whatever works. But when writing for others as well, you have to go with an agreed upon standard. That's where spelling things the same and using the same grammar comes in.

Answer 7

Correct spelling and punctuation are signs of an intelligent and educated person. They also convey the idea that you are detail oriented and care what others may think, as your message is a direct reflection of the kind of person you are. It also shows that you feel that your message is important enough that you want it to be received and interpreted as you intended. When communicating with other people, you want to convey your thoughts in an understandable manner. If you misspell, whether intentionally or otherwise, you leave room for misinterpretation of your message. With spell check readily available, there is really no excuse.

Answer 8

Because that's just the way it is. If you want to type that way shortening all your words, then have at it. But, if your wanting something answered or someone to "listen" to whatever it is your trying to say over the internet, then it is only in good manners that you type clearly so people do not have to guess what it is you are trying to say. Using you-u, lol, ppl, lmao, cuz, and omg are common short phrases that we all know on line, the rest, people may not know and dont want to take the time to either, I...for one, am one of those ppl.

Answer 9

I suppose that I am obsessed with spelling and punctuation; forgive me, it's part of my genetic make-up. I have rarely had difficulty with spelling, I just seem to be able to photograph words and lock them into my grey cells for future use. At school I listened carefully while the English grammar teacher explained to us where apostrophes and commas should go, and the information just locked-in. I am aware that it is not this easy for everyone and some people have real difficulties with spelling correctly. However, if everyone just wrote as they pleased then our language would become the laughing stock of the world. English is rapidly becoming the world commercial language, and unless we maintain a standardised system of spelling (however illogical some of those spellings may be), then it will be difficult for non-English speakers to learn it.
Keep trying, and remember it will be hard to get a top job in life if you seriously want to express yourself in the manner of your question.

Best of luck,

Benvee

Answer 10

Language is a reflection of the user. Those with good command of a language are intelligent and their opinions are worth listening to. Those with poor English are inept wastes of space and don't deserve the time it takes me to spit.

Those whose grammar and spelling are deficient are:

(a) poorly educated
(b) lazy
(c) mentally deficient
(d) incompetent
(e) choosing not to be understood
(f) in need of a smack upside the head with an Oxford Complete edition
(g) all of the above

Gee, I wonder what the answer is....

Answer 11

sorry but we the general public, speak English not what ever it is you are using. it is hard to imagine anyone using that which you use as a vocabulary for anyone above the age of 13. and you are not shortening words you are mis-spelling them "mi" is not shorter than "my". but it is the abbreviation for Michigan