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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect people to be able to spell simple words correctly

102 replies

Orangerevel · 17/04/2013 20:16

So many times on FB, at work etc I see the words definitely (wrongly spelt definately) and separately (wrongly spelt seperately). It makes me very cross. Does bad spelling make you see red or AIBU?

OP posts:
Tailtwister · 18/04/2013 15:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Tailtwister · 18/04/2013 15:33

Might help if I posted on the correct thread! Sorry, will ask post to be moved.

Original poster
Orangerevel · 18/04/2013 16:45

This was my first post on AIBU and I did not expect (and don't think I deserved) all the nasty and vicious comments that have been posted about my character. i hope you do not speak to people like this in RL. I did not go out of my way to upset anyone and as I have obviously done so I apologise. I will not be posting again on AIBU.

OP posts:
DribbleWiper · 18/04/2013 17:11

I don't think you deserved them either, Orange. You made a perfectly reasonable point.

And as for people who can't be bothered to check over what they post, that's just laziness, not a laudable point of principle.

Original poster
Orangerevel · 18/04/2013 17:13

Thank you DribbleWiper.

OP posts:
LRDtheFeministDragon · 18/04/2013 17:15

That's not much of an apology, is it? Hmm

It's a pity you're upset but you did start off being pretty hurtful. If people like you didn't feel the need to be this rude, a lot of the rest of us wouldn't feel shit (and I wouldn't spend my life proof-reading posts on AIBU out of paranoia).

DribbleWiper · 18/04/2013 17:16

Sorry, how was she rude, exactly?

Altinkum · 18/04/2013 17:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

dyslexicdespot · 18/04/2013 17:26

Well said Altinkum. I could not agree more.

Original poster
Orangerevel · 18/04/2013 17:27

Unbelievable.

OP posts:
LRDtheFeministDragon · 18/04/2013 17:28

The premise of the thread is rude. Getting 'cross' with someone for a mistake is a horrible thing to do, and to come and discuss it on a public forum where you know people who mis-spell things are reading, is essentially like a nasty little dig at all of those people.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 18/04/2013 17:29

Instead of getting cross, help them, instead of mocking them.

Yes, well said.

hobnobsaremyfavourite · 18/04/2013 17:31

Oh another smug perfect speller like the one who had a go at me about the spelling on a thread the other night. I was in tears when I posted and qite frankly my spelling went out of the window. The comments were the last thing I needed. My dad was probably dyslexic (undiagnosed sadly as he grew up in an era where all he got was punishment and sneers for his struggles.) People like the OP meant he kept his struggles a secret till his dying day.

NinaHeart · 18/04/2013 17:33

I am reading book at the moment where the author, the proof reader and the editor seem not to know the difference between "formerly" and "formally". More than once.

I am aghast.

usualsuspect · 18/04/2013 17:38

I think your thread probably made some posters feel uncomfortable about posting on MN. Did you consider their feelings?

bumbleymummy · 18/04/2013 17:41

Loose instead of lose
Draw instead of drawer

DreamsTurnToGoldDust · 18/04/2013 17:56

I hate threads like this as to me I reads as though you are 'not as good' if your spelling is poor, I like to judge a person on what they say rather than how they spell. So many people were let down in education, grammer was not taught in all comprehensives in the 70s and 80s so all in all this thread, whether you meant it or not, is quite nasty.

digerd · 18/04/2013 18:00

Problem with the english language is that so many words are pronounced the same, but spelt differently.

The 's' or 'c' is easy as the 's' is used when a verb and the 'c' when it is a noun. And doubling the 'r' as in occurred or not as in entered, all depends on whether the stress is on the first or last syllable.
We learnt this and others in school in the 60s.

But now my old and tired brain requires a spellchecker if I am in doubt.

I don't get cross as assume it is a typo or I don't notice. More interested in and concentrating on the essence of the post.

DeckSwabber · 18/04/2013 20:04

spelt? surely you mean spelled.

LindyHemming · 18/04/2013 20:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DeckSwabber · 18/04/2013 20:09

That's me told, then. You learn something every day.

AnAirOfHope · 18/04/2013 20:15

Im dsylexic. Its the words on this thread and word that look the same but a different pattern of letters such as parents and presants that i just cant get right.

I wish it was only the spelling that i get wrong but i give up at English at school after the teacher called ms stupid in front of the class so i dont know grammer as well.

People like the OP must really hate me Grin

Strangly enough i can always spot others spelling mistakes and i do tut to myself, it makes me feel better -im dyslexic whats your fucking excuse?

notsoyoniface · 18/04/2013 20:31

It may be simple to you, but I have dyslexia. It took until year 9 (so 14/15 years old) of school for me to be diagnosed (until then it was assumed that I was stupid and slow) I was never taught about verbs, nouns and adjectives because I was in the group that was still learning how to read. I could read fine but couldn't translate written word to speech easily.

I mix letters up and may use the wrong word, when to me it looks right. I apologise for that. Because obviously it pisses you off. I rely on spell check, and because of an Open University tutor nearly threw in the towel on my degree because of my grammar she knew I was dyslexic bitch

The previous two paragraphs have taken me ages to write and I do sincerely hope my spelling, punctuation, and grammar are correct.

If not, well look up pendants corner. You will find people who are as uptight as you are.

Catsize · 18/04/2013 21:21

Let's not get too hung up on this. I place myself in the 'grammatical and spelling errors bug me' camp, but only when they appear in places that matter. For example, in supermarkets, where 'childrens clothing' appears on a big sign, or 'fascia's, carpet's and flooring's' appears on the back of a van etc.
And don't get me started on menus (menu's Grin ?) or leaflets...

In my job, decent spelling and grammar mean everything. A comma in the wrong place could have dire consequences. And I find languages fascinating. If you'll permit me to start a sentence with 'and' Shock

I don't think the OP meant this to be an attack on people with difficulties. Be kind!

Here is one I hadn't though about until my partner pointed it out...
'I like those ones'. No I don't, I like 'those'. Can't pluralise 'one'.

Another pet hate... 'I was sat/stood' instead of 'I was 'sitting/standing'.

There are too many grumbles to list. Shall resist...

'Passed vs past'.

Okay, so that one slipped out.

And for the record, we all have different strengths and weaknesses! Don't give up OP! Stay!

intheshed · 18/04/2013 22:18

I am good at spelling, always have been. I also have a good eye for detail, and so I worked as an editor and poofreader for many years.

To be honest, while I enjoyed it (and still get a kick out of spotting the many typos in The Guardian every weekend) it's a pretty mundane skill set to have! The people whose work I used to edit were infinitely more talented and creative than me, even if they split their infinitives and didn't know the difference between stationary/stationery or dependent/dependant!

So no, bad spelling in other people doesn't really bother me. There are more important things.