does spelling really matter?!?

Question

if its at least so you can tell what the person is saying, then it shouldnt matter!

Answer 1

Honestly, I wish that spelling didn't matter as much as it does. However, it does matter if you cannot read what the person is saying. But if you can read it, then unless its an important document or a paper for your boss, then I don't think it matters.

Answer 2

It definitely matters! There is a respect level associated with poor spellers and those who can't use grammar properly, and that level is awful low. Not being able to properly use the English language is a very juvenile thing. It seems to me that by the time you're out of the seventh grade, you should have enough respect for the things you have to say to put some effort into it, and make your message clear, knowledgeable, and suitable to use in any environment. You're not going to use things like "b4" or "lol" on a job application, right? No. Because you need to come across and an intelligent person who's right for the job. So when you come on to Yahoo Answers, the same rule should apply. You want to sound like you know what you're talking about, and poor spelling can tarnish that reputation very easily.

Answer 3

I agree with you to a point. As long as you can tell what the person is saying, I don't think people should stress about spelling. But too many spelling errors can cause a person to come across as ignorant, and that would lessen some people's respect.

Answer 4

You know..I agree.

I also hate it when Americans make fun of foreigners, like for example, if there is a Chinese, Russian, German immigrant, and the person has an accent, they will say "no..you pronounce it LIKE THIS!"

I mean, it's not the person's fault that they cannot speak perfect English. Most Americans don't speak perfect English themselves, unless they're scholars.

But it goes the same way with spelling. If you understand what the person is saying, there's no point in pointing it out.


Have you noticed how all the people above me spelled grammar incorrectly as "grammer"? But then again, it doesn't matter, because I understood what they meant. :)

Answer 5

It matters a lot!! I'm the biggest stickler for spelling. I will grind my interns for that and turn down dating profiles I see online for bad spelling. A letter here or there can construe a whole new meaning.

Answer 6

You're right...up until you apply for a job and spell the job description wrong, but 'you know what the person is saying'. Believe me, it matters.

Answer 7

It really matters. Reading should flow; we don't need to get stuck on a word just to understand what you're trying to say. It also looks very bad if you're applying to a college or anything of the sort. Admissions will frown upon you, stereotype you, and you will not get accepted.

Answer 8

I think that spelling matters when you are writing something out, such as something formal, like a resume. Or if you reading a book. I think then in those cases you would want things spelled in a way you can understand them.
But if its something informal such as a note in class, who cares?

Answer 9

It does matter. It doesn't take that much effort to do it correctly. It keeps things orderly. If we just let people write willy-nilly all the time, pretty soon it WILL be illegible. When my children are reading, I prefer for them to see things written correctly, so as they get older they KNOW how to spell, and how to punctuate.

Answer 10

of course spelling matters. slang changes from time time. like when people say da instead of the. Spelling is a very important aspect of language.