Seriously, why is it that so many people here can't make an effort to spell correctly?

Question

Are they aware that they are perceived as illiterate and dumb?

I am not trying to offend anyone. I am merely curious. Please enlighten me.

LOL Jedi! With that Avatar you are allowed to spell anyway you want.

Actually, I am a foreigner myself. English is my second language. I am young but bad spelling bugs me. It's probably because I didn't attend college in this country and didn't get the habit from my peers via IM (actually I did but only for one semester).

To answer Moppie's question: I'm not complaining about bad spelling. I'm curious about it. The reason people complain about it is that bad spelling hurts the eyes and the mind. It's similar to hearing somebody singing out of tune or dancing with poor technique.

The truth is: well educated people won't take you seriously if you can't spell. Spelling is one of the first things children learn in school. If a person didn't even learn that... then it makes sense to assume that they didn't learn much else after that.

Going back to foreigners: I was blessed to have had a boyfriend who constantly corrected my mistakes both in spoken and written English. I want to give others the same advice (well, not correct them myself, but encourage them

Actually, I am a foreigner myself. English is my second language. I am young but bad spelling bugs me. Probably because I didn't attend college in this country and didn't get the habit from my peers via IM.

To answer Moppie: I'm not complaining about bad spelling. I'm curious about it. The reason people complain about it is that bad spelling hurts the eyes and the mind. It's similar to hearing somebody singing out of tune or dancing with poor technique.

The truth is: well educated people won't take you seriously if you can't spell. Spelling is one of the first things children learn in school. If a person didn't even learn that... then it makes sense to assume that they didn't learn much else after that.

Going back to foreigners: I was blessed to have had a boyfriend who constantly corrected my mistakes both in spoken and written English. I want to give others the same advice (not correct them myself, but encourage them to improve).

Cheers to all!

Answer 1

The internet is destroying the English language.
Acronyms and omitted letters for the purpose of typing quickly in chatrooms have taken the place of vernacular speech, and many of us find it difficult to write correctly in class because we are constantly dumbing down our vocabulary. It makes me really sad.

Answer 2

We see this question frequently, but I think people fail to appreciate the diversity represented here. Not only are there many foreigner's contributing stuff, as well as some very young folks, but there is a sub-culture present who have their own method of communicating with each other, and they are not that concerned with how it sounds to the rest of us. Sure, correct spelling and grammar help us to communicate better, and it would be nice if everyone used the spell-check...but I think some of it is rather interesting, and really, not that big a deal.

Answer 3

I have no idea. It's so sad (not to mention sometimes outright painful to read). Those who can't seem to spell the simplest of words correctly seem- mostly- to be the same ones who can't even put a sentence together in a way that's readable.

I don't buy the "the internet is destroying the English language" excuse. In my friends' and my private chatroom(s), we use correct English, even if capitalisation isn't always there. The idiots who wander around using AOL-kiddie-speak and "wi lyke speelin lyke dis"-type spelling are ridiculed (and often teased mercilessly, if it's found in a place that allows comments).

Answer 4

I see three reasons for bad spelling here.

1. Some people abbreviate to save time. u for you, etc.

2. Some of us -- guilty as charged -- simply type too fast and make errors though we can spell very well, and don't want to take the time to run spell check.

3. Some people simply can't spell.

Answer 5

I don't quite get it either. Especially because there is a spell check option on the top right of the answer window. I can't decide if it's because most of the people here are truly uneducated and really don't know that their spelling and grammar is awful or if they are lazy and just don't care that they appear stupid.

Answer 6

I believe they are in a hurry or just don't care, it's no big deal to most people obviously; but I also agree with what was said earlier about the spell check not always being accurate and I find it also misses a lot! Peace!

Answer 7

1. They just don't care.
2. The prevalence of text messaging. Y spl wrds - 2 slo.
3. Too much television, computer, and movie time, and not enough reading time. Check out the Arts and Humanities section, Books and Authors sub section. People who are asking about books are generally better spellers than those who ask "Y dont he stop lukin at uthr gurls?"

Answer 8

Well, there's a spell check button at the top right of the text box when asking or answering a question, so I'm guessing they're either too lazy to spell check, or they're morons.

Answer 9

You've got me. Especially when there is a spelling check right in front of them. I guess it's that they are in too much of a hurry for points and just don't care or realize how they come off.

Answer 10

Seriously, why do so many people complain about that? There are many foreigners on this forum, you can't blame them for not spelling everything correctly, or useing wrong grammar. Unless you are only complaining about English native speakers who misspell their own language, I can not agree with your complaint.