Take IQs of all people who routinely spell the word, "lose" with TWO "Os." What do you think they'd average?

Question

And given the fact that we see this happen so often in Internet postings, can we consider this to be an indictment of the USA's educational system? (The majority of postings being from Americans.)

Please give your guess on Question 1, and your opinion on Question 2.

To "Kira K" -- This isn't about "a typo or two." Note the word, "routinely," above.

Answer 1

1) I don't think it has much to do with IQ, but rather laziness and a general lack of proper grammar. It seems like there is less importance on speech and the written word in schools now, which should be a priority. I'm tired of seeing the ridiculous abbreviations that kids make up on their answers and questions on Y!A.

2) It's definitely a problem within America, but I've also seen European children using similar language. I classify it more as an age group rather than on nationality. Either way, schools need to step up.

Answer 2

100. Standard IQ tests include few language questions, in order to minimize provincial advantages.

I don't think that one example of a common spelling mistake would lead to the indictment of any system.

"The majority of postings being from Americans." is not a gramatically correct sentence. Try to remember the "glass houses" thing when considering criticism!

Answer 3

They would average about the same as the corollary, that is to say the number of people who spell the word loose with one o.
It might be better to have an entirely new spelling to rid us of this mistake.

The one ode lewse is lewse.
The two ode lewse is loose
That should clear up the spelling problem and raise the average eye cue .

Answer 4

For the first question, I'd just like to point out that the premise incorrectly attributes poor spelling to IQ. It isn't a matter of IQ, it's a matter of education.

For the second, the answer is "definitely".

Answer 5

I understand your pain! However, I would say the IQs would average "average", as this seems to be a very common error. I don't think it is much of a reflection of anything other than misinterpretation and the idiosyncracies of the English language. You may enjoy this little poem:

When the English tongue we speak
Why is break not rhymed with freak?
Will you tell me why it’s true
We say sew, but likewise few?
And the maker of a verse,
Cannot rhyme his horse with worse?
Beard is not the same as heard,
Cord is different from word,
Cow is cow, but low is low,
Shoe is never rhymed with foe.
Think of hose and dose and lose,
And think of goose and yet of choose,
Think of comb and tomb and bomb,
Doll and roll and home and some.
And since pay is rhymed with say,
Why not paid with said I pray?
Think of blood and food and good;
Mould is not pronounced like could.
Wherefore done, but gone and lone -
Is there any reason known?
To sum up all, it seems to me
Sounds and letters don’t agree.

Best of luck.

Answer 6

Oh, perhaps two "o"s

Less an indictiment of the education system and more just plain carelessness, much like the it's/its problem and the accept/except one as well

Answer 7

95% taking myself out. Yes I'm amazed how many people dislike " spell check". I think they should give dictations in American schools.

Answer 8

no. But the education system can be adjusted at bit here.

Answer 9

just because you're bad at spelling or did a typo or two doesn't mean you have a low IQ

so? what's your fancy comeback for someone being bad at spelling?? stop over-reacting and get over yourself

Answer 10

Most people spell "lose" as "loose" because the english language is confusing and most imagrants spell it like that too.