Ability to Spell

[BluesMan]

I’ve recently became increasingly aware of my inability to spell! I’m 45, very well educated and people think I’m intelligent. However my dark secret is “I can not spell worth a crap”.
It seldom bothered me before, but lately I’ve been embarrassed by this lack of ability.

I’ve noticed on this forum that often others are kind and do not ridicule each other over grammar and spelling, as opposed to other forums where this is a big deal.

I just wanted to offer an opportunity for everyone to seriously discuss why they think some people are poor spellers without ridicule.

I propose my inability is due to;
1. The way we were taught to read in the 60’s and 70’s.
2. The fact that I do not follow rules well. (This makes me successful in my career however)
3. Sometimes I write inside out so I may have some Dyslexia; however I have no trouble reading and comprehending. For example I may write the word “dog” as d then g and add an o in the middle.

Oh and thank the IT geniuses that give me spell check for email and documents at work.

Not even sure what to practice, I need a spell check that keeps track of my errors and gives me a list every week.
Last thought, any ideas on how to improve this deficiency?

[TheBigDog]

Originally Posted by BluesMan

Last thought, any ideas on how to improve this deficiency?

Do everything on a manual typewriter so making corrections is painful enough to cause process improvement. As long as the mistakes are painless, the mistakes will remain.

This is actually a great discussion. I struggle with spelling and grammar, and generally spend a good bit of time proof-reading my posts before I submit. And even with that I always find mistakes after the fact. Too many commas, missing words, mis-spellings that didn't get caught because they are another real word.

What bothers me is the tendency to use 'chat-isms' in posts. Not the occasional lol or rotflmao. But the shortcuts for regular expression and conversation. I catch my kids doing it on school work and go ballistic. They are doing it out of habit from doing it when they chat. And some teachers accept that lowered standard because they don't want to get in the way of the creativity of the student. What utter crap. School isn't about creativity, school is about discipline of the fundamentals. You can be as creative as you want when you graduate, and if it doesn't get you far in life, at least you know the fundamentals.

I feel like the Henry Higgins of the Internet.

I did chide someone about spelling, content and grammar the other day, but it was just one aspect of the point I was making at the time. What I personally learned quickly when posting here is to know the meanings of the words you are using, and use them correctly. That will come back and bite you here!

Bill

[Tormod]

Originally Posted by BluesMan

I’ve noticed on this forum that often others are kind and do not ridicule each other over grammar and spelling, as opposed to other forums where this is a big deal.

2 b honest we d0 dat from tim3 to tim3.

Seriously, we have posters who post well regardless of their inability to spell. We are an international community and lots of us are not native English speakers (or writers, for what it's worth). We do comment upon posters who use hax0r language or seem to be writing SMS messages but overall I do hope we let the content of the post, and perhaps the intention of the poster, go first.

I commend you for creating this topic but I was unable to find a single spelling error in your post. And frankly you haven't created a lasting impression as a bad speller in your other posts, either.

How to improve? I don't know. Just learn to read your posts before you post, I guess. Or care to read them *after* you post. I catch myself making mistakes now and then, and while I used to be one of those who just had to go back and change it, now I am a bit more relaxed. A speling mistake doesn't make us bad people. Or?

[IrishEyes]

Originally Posted by Tormod

A speling mistake doesn't make us bad people. Or?

SAYS WHO??

Oh give me a break, boss-man! Sure it does!!

Ok, all kidding aside, I also commend you on this topic. Actually, it's an ongoing discussion here, or at least it was before my 2 month extended LOA. I think most of us have realized that grammar, punctuation and spelling are very important to some of us, not so important to others, and really not an issue for some (mainly due to English not being their native tongues).

Why are some better spellers than others? Well, that's a very interesting question. I have a theory that it has much more to do with brain function/activity than the way you may have been taught to read, but most of my theories are just pure crap, so who really knows. I do know that I am an avid reader, and also a pretty efficient speller. I did the bees in school and everything. I hate spell check, it's an evil invention created to enhance laziness. But there are times when I would really have loved to have it as an option here (ask around if you want to know the story behind that one ) My oldest daughter is also an avid reader and a fabulous speller. My oldest son enjoys reading, but is not passionate about it. He is an ok speller, much more phonetical than anything, but he didn't learn to read using phonics. My second oldest daughter loves stories, but struggles with reading. She is great at recognizing words, but has a difficult time spelling anything new. However, once she learns how to spell a word, she never has to be told again. My second oldest son is a decent reader, and a decent speller, but he's young. Time will tell with him. The other two are just a tad small to know yet.

So the theory is still developing, but it's something that I am really interested to understand. Also of note, my husband, arguably the most brilliant person I know, is not that great of a speller. I find that hysterical, considering he can program in about 20 different languages. He relies heavily on spell-check programs. Like you, he's not really a 'rules' person in many ways, but that bodes well for his chosen vocation. It works for him.

How can you improve? If it's something you are truly interested in improving, go back to school. No, seriously, if you have a 4th grade spelling book handy, pick it up and read it. Those things are great for explaining the 'rules', and they are much better than 20 years ago at helping you remember the rules as well.

Sorry to be so long. Man it feels good to be back!

[infamous]

Originally Posted by IrishEyes

Sorry to be so long. Man it feels good to be back!

It sure is good to see you back in action Irish, you were missed........................Infy

[BluesMan]

Wow, great responses.
I appreciate the varied views.

The fourth grade-spelling book is a great idea, as learning the rules may be the key. Now that I've become more aware/sensitive to the subject I think I may try that. Actually (learned that one today, 2 l's BluesMan) I often teach and write in front of others, and as a joke I often draw a box with SP in it on the flip chart, and then hit it when I'm not sure of a words correct spelling.

Interesting that I can spell pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelial cell, and just learned today how to spell Actually! Actual one L actually 2 L’s

Thanks, to each of you who took the time to post!

[IrishEyes]

Originally Posted by BluesMan

The fourth grade-spelling book is a great idea, as learning the rules may be the key. Now that I've become more aware/sensitive to the subject I think I may try that.

Interesting that I can spell pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelial cell, and just learned today how to spell Actually! Actual one L actually 2 L’s

Ok, kind of off topic, but kind of not...

Here's the deal, as far as I'm concerned...
If you are aware of your spelling problems, and you actually want to improve, then you will learn how to spell very well. This is something that I struggle with on a daily basis with my children. I don't mean spelling. I mean trying to get them to appreciate when something is important enough to learn. We are basically 'unschoolers', and I am not really in favor of any type of forced learning. Honestly, I don't believe that people can be forced to learn anything. It's all about motivation. Since you obviously have the motivation to improve your spelling skills, you will succeed.

In my opinion, you can spell pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelial cell, because you have some type of motivation to spell that correctly. There really is no other explanation for that, actually.

[Jay-qu]

Originally Posted by IrishEyes

Why are some better spellers than others? Well, that's a very interesting question. I have a theory that it has much more to do with brain function/activity than the way you may have been taught to read, but most of my theories are just pure crap, so who really knows. I do know that I am an avid reader, and also a pretty efficient speller.

Well I think my brain is wired to handle numbers rather than spelling. I can spell ok but sometimes I will just come up to a word that I forget how to spell like message or because... I dont know why and my mum is shocked because she thinks if I read as much as I do then I should be a good speller so there goes that theory.

and welcome back Irish

[C1ay]

What to practice? I find reading contributes most to my own spelling ability. When writing I take the time to look up any word I have doubts about. I use the Dictionary extension for my browser. Unlike a spell checker it forces me to physically make corrections since it only looks the word up for me.

[C1ay]

Originally Posted by IrishEyes

Sorry to be so long. Man it feels good to be back!

Welcome Back! It feels good to see you wondering the halls 'round here