Some people can't spell well and that's all there is to it!

[anorak]

I remember reading somewhere that people are born with the ability to spell well or not, and that it has absolutely no bearing on their general intelligence level.

While I sometimes find spelling mistakes amusing, and feel they definitely shouldn't crop up often in schools for example, I can't help wondering where all you pedants think the non-spelling people should work?

Can't you put up with it if there is a spelling mistake on a fruit and veg stand or a shelf in a shop? Is it going to prevent you from buying exactly what you want to buy?

We need people working in jobs they are capable of doing, so that all differently abled people can contribute to society, surely?

Quite so. But those who enjoy the way language works gain pleasure from talking about it with others. And correct use of language is the key to clear communication, so surely it is worth trying to get things right? For the record, there are a great many very good writers who can't spell or punctuate, which is where editors come in: to harness the imagination of those who can come up with the stories.

I could quite happily put up with spelling mistakes that were obviously done by someone not employed in the sign business.

It does irritate me (and exasperate me) when professional signwriters get things wrong - they should be 100% correct.

A handwritten sign obviously done by a staff member not employed for their spelling ability is easily forgivable.

That said... if it was a particularly amusing spelling mistake, I would not think twice about posting it on here and having a giggle about it.

And yes, I think you are right, some people can spell, some can't. There are also people who are under the misconception that spelling words correctly doesn't matter

I basically agree with everything you've both said. But there are lots of people around who seem to class it as a disgrace that some people can't spell, when they may simply doing the best they can to be a productive member of society in a situation where spelling correctly isn't going to change anything. I agree if they are a signwriter for example, spelling correctly is part of the job.

As for those who think it doesn't matter - I agree it should matter enough to do one's best.

people who correct others' spelling errors (except when on a pedantry thread ) are just rude, imo.

Message withdrawn

Anorak - I do take your point.
However, I also think that the majority of poor spellers can improve with lots of effort and that they opt/are allowed not to do so. I was a TERRIBLE learner driver. I must have had 100 hours of lessons, and failed 4 tests before finally passing. It took years before I was properly competent on the roads - even now my parking is not wonderful. But I MADE myself continue cos driving was important to me. If there was the same emphasis in our society on spelling as there is on driving, I am sure there would be many fewer terrible spellers.

Disclaimer: I am not including dyselxics or others SEN here.

Ha! Dyslexics or others with SEN.

Pruners I left school at 16 and my spelling and grammar is very good. Just bears up my belief that some people just 'get' those things and some don't.

Agree it should be taught better in any case.

Attila it's spelt slysdexic isn't it?

Message withdrawn