Why can't people spell words?

Question

I have noticed that young people more than older people have a hard time spelling. When I went to school and took english class the teacher would give us at least ten words a week to study and take a test on fridays. Then we would have a monthly test on the words to see if we remembered them. Some words I have a hard time with also, but I just go to the merriam webster web site and check it out on my spelling. Has our schools forgot how to teach, or is it that some people don't want to learn? By the way, I am a 1960's high school student.

Answer 1

A lot of it probably has to do with text messaging. They get used to spelling things how they sound or abbreviating to save on letter space, that in every day life, they forget how to spell it.
It is irritating to try to figure out what some of them are trying to say, but with technology getting more and more advanced, I don't see an end to it.

Answer 2

I think that we're shifting from being a society of readers to a society of viewers, and this has caused a devaluation of ability to spell and literacy in general.

I think that some of the other forces that are working against spelling and grammatical literacy are the prevalence of texting and instant messaging and the mainstreaming of rap culture.

FWIW, although I personally cherish literacy and deplore what I feel is a slap-dash no-care attitude about it that has grown up, as long as people can communicate clearly, then purpose is being served.

Language and communication (and that includes spelling) are constantly evolving. You only have to read something that was written in the 19th century to see that change has crept in since then.

Culture is dynamic, and that's probably a good thing. Those who text and IM and rap and truncate and shortcut our language are the future. It's amusing to contemplate that maybe in 30-40 years the young people who are on the cutting edge of culture and language style will be lamenting how the youth of their day can't get the language right. Oh well.

Answer 3

COMPUTERS!!!! they screwed up spelling forever with spell check and typing abbreviations there is no need for a student now to learn how to spell. If they ever have to write a letter it will be on the computer and they can spell check it. Essays, poems and any other thing you can think of is done on computers now. Some schools are ever thinking that in 10 years or so every student will have a personal computer so they could even take notes on one. I for one love computers but i think that there is too much focus on the wrong way to use it. Students can't even use it for the right reasons like searching topics for a research project. they use it only for fun not education.

Answer 4

I beleive that Spelling alters slightly from time to time, Also it is not only young people that can spell. Some people have memories that allow them to subconsciously remember what a word LOOKS like. Many words, being derived from foreign toungues, dont sound the way that they are spelled.

I am a fair speller. If I am given words to study then I can make an A on a test, easy. If I am given words at random and asked to sound them out I am far more likely to get a B- or C. This ofcourse is referring to common words. Not words about a specific subject that is not made up of common level words.

Answer 5

I think a lot of it has changed with the advent of word processing programs like Word. People don't need to know how to spell anymore because as long as you get close to it, Word will spell check it for you. I started school in 1987, so computers weren't as big then, so we did the same thing of having spelling class and such to learn words. I did notice that once I went to college and was using a computer more frequently, my ability to spell has gone downhill a bit, which is frustrating. I still try to do what I can to have correct spelling but I think we can point a large finger at word processing programs. Also, there's the usage of text messaging, where people try to write abbreviated messages. I personally have to make sure that my text messages are in complete sentences and spelled correctly, which causes me to take a bit longer at times to respond to things, but it is worth it to me.

Answer 6

I lurned how to reed, with hooced on fonics!

just kidding.


My opinion is.


Change. Times are different with each generation. Some don't want to learn some CANT learn new words because of confusion or accidental mix-up, why? because they aren't pursued or pushed to retain new information, almost like teaching has become a " I have to do it" than " I want to do it" Students find it easier looking something up online and learning that word for a temporary time. Which results in mispelling of words. Also the lack of picking up a book and reading. No one really reads anymore like back in --with all respect-- your high school years. Where there was less technology to distract kids and more passionate and strict teaching instructors.

Answer 7

I think mostly it is due to a mixture of laziness and peer pressure. When I was first introduced to online communication in the early ninties, it was expected that people try and spell correctly and communicate clearly. There were the expected typos of course, and acronyms, but for the most part conversations were clear and well thought out.

I think that a full half of the reason for the lack of clear communication these days comes from pure laziness. People just don't bother to both re-read their postings or check the spelling. At the same time, there has been an alarming trend of "slanging-up" internet communication. Teens want to make the language their own and added mercilessly to the tide of acronyms ostensibly for an "ease of communication" over cellphones, but more for a mystification from their parents and other authority figures. The adolescent trend right now is towards sloppy dressing, hairstyles, speech and by extension typing. They type this way because their friends type this way and because making an effort to type correctly opens them up for ridicule when they try and fail. In lieu of excellence, we strive for "I could spell if I wanted to".

What these teens and adults don't realize is that proper communication and writing skills go a long way in emphasizing the text and message itself. When you sound educated through your writing style, it tends to make your point carry more weight in the mind of others.

Answer 8

well i'm a relatively young person (21) and i remember getting a set of ten words we had to write 5 times everyday for homework and weekly spelling exams in elementary school. because of the advances in technology, some young people don't even know how to use a printed dictionary. when i was their age i had a LARGE unabridged dictionary at home. these days they wave the "spell check" wand over their assignments and don't know how to spell anything.

Answer 9

I would just like to say that I had a wonderful English teacher. I was promoted to Honors English where I continued to learn. When I got there, my teacher actually noticed that I write poetry and such. She sent me to sign up for Creative Writing, where I wrote even more. I am thankful and grateful for my teacher, Ms. McVerry. English was the only class that made me want to go to school (aside from Art).

Answer 10

It's not that we can't spell we just perfer short hand spelling. But some can't spell and I would blame the student and the teacher. Because some teachers are just there for the pay check and some student are just bad as hell and need their buts whooped.