How is your spelling

1. 38

   getpaidtopostposted 15 years ago

   I was unfortunate to have teachers who did not care about educating, mainly because they where intoxicated, yes this is true they all went to the pub at lunch time and all came back red faced drunk. After working hard I came top of my year in maths and geography however English was not so good as a result my spelling is atrocious, thank God for spell check (-;
   
   What I want to ask is, Am I a minority of writers who can't spell? do you fall into this category? What was your education like.

   replyreport
   1. 73

      TrinaLynneposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I was always a good speller. Thats because reading and writing was always my thing. I made a habit of trying to hear each letter in a word. But there are tons of writers who are not the greatest in spelling. Thats why there are editors and spellcheck. lol

      replyreport
   2. 71

      alekhouseposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      
      Sorry, but I too was a very good speller...always winning spelling Bees. I attribute it to my mom, who got me interested in words at a very young age. She and my sister and I played word games all the time. She, as well as her father, were both writers and enjoyed maniupulating words and sentences around on the page  I ended up getting high school certification in English and ESL and teaching HS English and creative writing for many years.
      
      I was fortunate enough not to have any drunk teachers. My teachers were excellent, especially my English teachers.

      replyreport
   3. 52

      kmackey32posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I suck as a speller. lol although i love to write about everything oh well. lol i am sure you can figure out what the word is supose to be if i spelled it wrong.

      replyreport
   4. 98

      Rochelle Frankposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I'm not a good speller. I have improved over the years, but I DO SOOOO appreciate spellcheck. I also appreciate my High school English teacher, Dixon Gayer, who encouraged me with the words: "Girl you can write!-- Now if you could only spell."
      He was right-- and he knew which was more important.

      replyreport
2. 74

   Uninvited Writerposted 15 years ago

   I am a very good speller. I always have been. I remember as a kid memorizing my older sister's spelling book (yes, there used to be book with words to memorize). My sister, on the other hand, is worst speller I have ever seen I just had a regular education and I have a diploma in library techniques. I think also reading a lot can help with spelling and I've always done that.

   replyreport
   1. 77

      Lissieposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I was always years above in my reading age at school - started reading teenage fiction when I was about 8 or 9 etc. My spelling is dyslexic (sp!) - and I thank the great internet god for spell checkers everyday. A dictionary is and always was useless to me - you can't find the word if you can't almost spell it LOL
      
      I think my ability to read hindered my spelling because I was such a fast reader at such a young age that I dont read the words  I skim the line or the paragraph.
      
      Anyone can learn to spell with a spell checker - I even finally figured out how to spell people! (thought it was peaple for 20 years) - but grammar is far more useful and I think you do need to put some effort into that.
      
      OP - quite blaming other people - just get a book from the library - its not rocket science!

      replyreport
3. 72

   diplessposted 15 years ago

   No I too am a really bad speller Cest la vie as you said thank goodness for the spell checker

   replyreport
4. 38

   getpaidtopostposted 15 years ago

   replyreport
5. 78

   spiderpamposted 15 years ago

   In grade school was chosen to compete in the local spelling bee, but now I need spell check.

   replyreport
6. 62

   HealthCare Basicsposted 15 years ago

   Half and half on spelling. Seems my mind is slipping off on some of the most common words and the correct way to spell. Believe it or not, I question spellcheck by pulling out one of those huge dictionarys and page my wat through....

   replyreport
7. 58

   Negativoposted 15 years ago

   Im a bad speller too.

   replyreport
8. 64

   Lisa HWposted 15 years ago

   I had a seventh-grade English teacher with a drinking problem (booze in his desk drawer and a "lovely" personality), but spelling is learned in the lower grades.  I was fortunate enough to start school when phonics was the way kids were taught, so I'm a good speller.  I don't know what they're doing now, but by the time my eldest son began school phonics was no longer being emphasized.
   
   Teachers aside, some people find spelling comes more naturally than others do.  I know lots of people who don't spell well.

   replyreport
9. 78

   cindyvineposted 15 years ago

   Have always been a good speller and an ace at scrabble

   replyreport
   1. 76

      blondepoetposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Yes spelling is my fortay too Cindy. Hey one night let's get on yahoo online games and I will challenge you to a game of scrabble, may the best man win, (they call it Literati)

      replyreport
      1. 71

         alekhouseposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         I play Literati all the time. Great game. Love it.

         replyreport
         1. 76

            blondepoetposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            Oh cool maybe we could play together some time

            replyreport
      2. 60

         Reena Daruwallaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         I'm sorry, is 'fortay' a word? The word I would have used in this context would have been forté .

         replyreport
         1. 76

            blondepoetposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            It certainly is a word it means in one's liking http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Fortay

            replyreport
            1. 75

               cashmereposted 15 years agoin reply to this

               Isn't the urban dictionary mostly colloquial and slang?

               replyreport
               1. 60

                  Reena Daruwallaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                  Quite, Cash.

                  replyreport
                  1. 76

                     blondepoetposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                     ROFL us Aussies talk lots slang..damn lost one

                     replyreport
                     1. 60

                        Reena Daruwallaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                        Well here is one you have on me.... What is ROLF ?

                        replyreport
                        1. 76

                           blondepoetposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                           It means roll on the floor laughing

                           replyreport
                           1. 98

                              Rochelle Frankposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                              Then wouldn't it be ROFL?

                              replyreport
                              1. 74

                                 Uninvited Writerposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                                 Which is very funny considering this thread is about spelling

                                 replyreport
            2. 60

               Reena Daruwallaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

               Actually blondepoet, urbandictionary is not a real dictionary, if you see the site's tag line is "the dictionary you wrote".
               
               If i want to legitimise the word 'jhakaas' which is used a lot in India, then i could by putting it up on urbandictionary but i doubt most of the western world would or the Oxford dictionary would embrace it just yet.
               
               If you check in any of the real dictionaries, fortay is not a recognised word. So we will have to agree to disagree on this one.

               replyreport
   2. 60

      Laughing Momposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I totally stink at Scrabble, but not because of my spelling. It's my lack of extended vocabulary. When you converse mostly with children, you tend to lose some of the flavor of adult conversation. At least I did.

      replyreport
      1. 38

         getpaidtopostposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         I have never ever played Scrabble, May be why my spelling is so bad. I will now put Scrabble on my shopping list. hopefully this will improve my spelling. thanks guys for your tips.
         
         

         replyreport
10. 78

    cindyvineposted 15 years ago

    Blonde you have facebook, we can play on world scrabble there!  Hey Blonde, did you notice my score?

    replyreport
    1. 76

       blondepoetposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Aghhhhhhhhhh yahooooooooo 100 I knew we could do it, they did not tally my imput til this morn, wow, congrats, oh yes scrabble on Facebook, when we get to this game, you are going to be shaking in your boots CIndy at my fierceness

       replyreport
11. 69

    trish1048posted 15 years ago

    I excelled in spelling and English throughout school, and I loved to read.  Growing up we always played Scrabble.  I also took a creative writing course which I found interesting.

    replyreport
12. 72

    SweetiePieposted 15 years ago

    I understand people misspelling words from time to time, but gloating about how you will not use a dictionary makes no sense.  My ninth grade home economics teacher did not like me, I truly believe, and graded down every dish I made.  This all harkened back to how our group left me alone to make a batch of muffins, and I accidentally put in the wrong leavening agent. 
    
    The senior cheerleaders in my group were very nasty about it, and went to the teacher and told her I was horrible at baking and cooking.  After that it did not matter if my dishes looked or tasted the same as the other kids in my class, she would literally grade me down without a solid explanation.
    
    For the final we had to take notes about nutrition off the board, and she gloated about how she refused to use a dictionary to spell anything correctly.  Something about seeing the word her spell out appatite (appetite), and her favoritism towards cheerleaders and cute guys in the class just was very amusing.

    replyreport
    1. 76

       blondepoetposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Aww that is not right Sweetie you give me those girl's addresses and I am going to sort them out for you, let me search for my boxing gloves

       replyreport
13. 78

    cindyvineposted 15 years ago

    Never Blonde, never!  Will challenge you to a game later when I'm at school!  http://apps.facebook.com/livescrabble/

    replyreport
    1. 76

       blondepoetposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Ok you sing out later, I will be resting my fingers, so they can hit all the 7 letter words later, until then my scrabble opponent

       replyreport
14. 72

    SweetiePieposted 15 years ago

    Thanks blondepoet, you are sweet!  I went to school with a lot of people who thought they were the cat's pajamas because their parents were rich enough to get them on the cheer leading team, or because they had a monthly wardrobe allowance that equaled the salary some people make yearly in a third world country.  One girl even apologized for all the rude things she said, and my consolation is many of them probably realized they were jerks too.  Some of them probably never will, but that is what happens when you grow up around people who have never had to want for anything.

    replyreport
    1. 76

       blondepoetposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       I always said that people who grow up with little and have a few struggles,have much more substance than those who have had it dished out on a plate. Bullies get me so mad Sweetie,kids being cruel,I am going to still sort those ladies out today for you, and that teacher, geez I thought teachers had to like everyone. Did you try the "give the teacher a red apple trick"? ROFL...xo

       replyreport
15. 64

    RKHenryposted 15 years ago

    I suck at spelling and punctuation and I'm a Brown grad.  But the great thing about my course of studies is nobody cares about that.  What's more important in regards to my lifestyle and career is whether or not I can sail across the Atlantic and tell you bedtime stories along the way.  That I can do well. 
    
    Spelling was always my worst subject in middle school.  So was language arts. 
    
    Like General Patton said to his son once, who was flunking math, he said, "Son make sure you get on higher ground in all your other subjects, that way in time of retreat you'll be far from your enemy as possible.  Just like in war."  His son, George Patton, III went on to graduate top of his West Point class and became a five star general just like his father. Even though he fail his math class.

    replyreport
    1. 76

       blondepoetposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       I charge a cheap fee for classes Henry, then again I will swap my lessons if I can sail with you across the Atlantic, and hear a story or two

       replyreport
       1. 64

          RKHenryposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          Deal.  But I'll skip the spelling lessons.  I finally broke down a year or two ago and hired myself an editor for all my papers. I got sick of rereading and rereading my work.  With an editor, there is no need to worry.  It frees up my time to teach, when I'm not taking a class or two.
          
          You sail?

          replyreport
          1. 76

             blondepoetposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             Hell yes..ok no spelling lessons just the bedtime stories woo hooo and plenty pirates

             replyreport
16. 60

    R. Blueposted 15 years ago

    I wuz a champoin spellur!!!
    
    Actually I was....and I'm anal retentive about it now.....even typos....I go back and correct.

    replyreport
17. 61

    curiozitiesposted 15 years ago

    Imuh reely gud spellor. 

    replyreport
    1. 38

       getpaidtopostposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Whats up curiozities forget to use spell checker   

       replyreport
       1. 61

          curiozitiesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            I'm actually a very good speller.  I used to win spelling bees when I was a kid and I have worked as a proofreader (and I am still counted on to proofread at work).  My problem is I can't type to save my life.

          replyreport
18. 72

    earnestshubposted 15 years ago

    I was great at school, but my spelling and grammar are terrible. I do not always write in the right order either, as thoughts fly through my head as I write!
    I may need an editor..

    replyreport
    1. 38

       getpaidtopostposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Sounds just like me with the thoughts flying around in my head or are they voices, never quite figured that one out.   

       replyreport
    2. 76

       blondepoetposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       you need a secretary Earnest???

       replyreport
19. 0

    Leta Sposted 15 years ago

    I'm very good for the average person, but not that great a speller for an M.A. in English/writing.  I'm a writer, not a speller, !

    replyreport
20. 67

    lafentyposted 15 years ago

    Thank goodness for spellchecker and children who are willing to proofread my work.  I'm very good at seeing mistakes on the work of others, but blind to my own.  Very frustrating.

    replyreport
21. 70

    Beth100posted 15 years ago

    I am very grateful to have had several English teachers who were fastidious when it came to correct spelling, punctuation, grammar and syntax.  I have seen a decline in the ability of society to write with proper grammatical syntax and correct spelling.  It really irritates me when I read a polished piece of work, that has been published with much ado, only to find errors with spelling and syntax.  I believe in the written word, and am teaching my children what I have learned as I find the education system is not attaining a satisfactory achievement level.

    replyreport
    1. 77

       Lissieposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       run on sentence I believe: and the wrong use of the gerund towards the end
       
       "I believe in the written word, and am teaching my children what I learned. I find the education system is not ALLOWING THEM to attain a satisfactory achievement level. "
       
       Sorry couldn't resist that one you left yourself wide open ...

       replyreport
       1. 70

          Beth100posted 15 years agoin reply to this

          That's alright..I never said I was perfect!  lol

          replyreport
22. 66

    Ivorwenposted 15 years ago

    I was a terrible speller despite excellent teachers, because I couldn't distinguish the sounds. 
    
    Besides spell check and constantly, consciencely working at bettering my spelling, reading older books aloud has helped me to improve considerably.  Older books (pre 1940's) have different spellings occasionally and use a different variety of words than newer books.  These changes help me to see and understand language. 
    
    The spelling book that I have learned the most from is a reprint, "The Original Blue Back Speller" by Noah Webster.  He wrote it to teach the English language to immigrants, so it is not only a spelling guide, but a practical enunciation guide. 
    
    I still have so much to learn, but I am ten times better at spelling now than I was a year ago.

    replyreport
    1. 70

       Beth100posted 15 years agoin reply to this

       That's totally AWESOME!!!

       replyreport
23. 73

    livewithrichardposted 15 years ago

    My spelling is above average because I only use small words...lol plus I use the spell checker.
    
    I posted this once before on another thread but thought it appropriate for this one too.
    
    if yuo can raed tihs, you hvae a sgtrane mnid, too.
    Can you raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.
    
    i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it.

    replyreport
    1. 66

       Ivorwenposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       I use to have the hardest time figuring out what was wrong with these types of things... I could see nothing funny about them, because I could read them effortlessly!

       replyreport
       1. 77

          Lissieposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          Do some people genuinely find these hard to read? - I don't think this text even slows down my reading speed significantly - maybe that is why I never could spell - I don't "see" the middle of the words when reading.

          replyreport
          1. 66

             Ivorwenposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             My mom, who is an excellent speller, has a terrible time reading this type of thing.

             replyreport
       2. 0

          \Brenda Scullyposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          That is amazing...... I had no problem reading that at all, isn't that the strangest thing.  I cant believe it, wow, the things you learn on hub pages...

          replyreport
    2. 38

       getpaidtopostposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       That's totally messed up, I can read it but it sends my eyes more focused, like the moving pictures. maybe im just tired, thanks for that and good night.

       replyreport
24. 75

    cashmereposted 15 years ago

    Ahem...hellooo,Reena
    I am not the best typist and get plenty of typos in my words. So am very glad there is spell check to back me up

    replyreport
25. 59

    scheinandrasposted 15 years ago

    I try to make my spelling as good as possible as english is not my first language and it never will be. I like paying attention for spelling the words right.

    replyreport
26. 73

    Enelle Lambposted 15 years ago

    I believe I had a decent education, I managed to stay in school and graduated grade 12...however, my spelling was awful! One of the first jobs I had was transcribing audio tapes for personal loans officers at the Royal Bank. For the first year, my constant companion was a pocket dictionary.
    Although my spelling has improved tremendously, I still have trouble with it, and spell check doesn't accept Canadian English spellings as correct...thankfully, there is an 'add to dictionary' option LOL
    
    
    Lizzy - I'm with you...the text didn't even slow me down...I think you might be correct in your assumptions...

    replyreport
27. 0

    \Brenda Scullyposted 15 years ago

    We just were not allowed to spell badly, and it was soooo drummed in to us at school.  I dont think however hard some people try though, they will ever be brilliant at spelling unfortunately.  I don't know why that is but some extremely brilliant people have lots of trouble spelling..... It is one of the few things that come naturally to me, and I am always grateful about it, as writing is sooooo important to me....

    replyreport
28. 77

    Bard of Elyposted 15 years ago

    Generally I am very good but I can get into the habit of using American or English spellings which can cause a problem with getting something published. It is a good idea to use English spellings if submitting to a UK publisher and American if doing likewise but the publisher is in the US.

    replyreport
    1. 60

       Reena Daruwallaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       That is such a problem; you are so right. At school I learned to spell colour with a 'our' yet this firefox browser as well as my word processor tells me i am wrong. Also word and firefox tell me I have to recognize though I know I have to recognise.....

       replyreport
       1. 73

          Enelle Lambposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          Canadian/UK English vs. American...that is where the discrepancies come into play

          replyreport
29. 38

    getpaidtopostposted 15 years ago

    I think all who can spell had good teachers. it wasn't till i was about 22 when i heard a simple rule, I before E except after C. We was never taught any rules at school. Does anyone else have any English language rules to follow like the one above?

    replyreport
    1. 98

       Rochelle Frankposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       "i" before "e" except after "c" or when sounded like "a" as in neighbor and weigh.... heard that one all my life, it seems.
       
       German is simpler the ei or ie combination always sounds the second vowel.

       replyreport
       1. 38

          getpaidtopostposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          Good tips. thanks
          

          replyreport
30. 0

    \Brenda Scullyposted 15 years ago

    drop the e and add ing

    replyreport
    1. 38

       getpaidtopostposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Nice one, another rule I did not know. Any one else know any English language rules that can make it easier to spell.
       
       

       replyreport
31. 61

    rugsforallposted 15 years ago

    I must admit that spelling has never been my strength. Maths was always my thing at school.
    
    And if you had of told me that one day I would earn my living through mostly the act of writing - I would have thought you stark raving MAD!
    
    I too am blessed to live in era of the "Spell Checker"!

    replyreport
32. 78

    AEvansposted 15 years ago

    I am a great speller and after having to deal with pharmacology when attending school for nursing and learning how to spell words that appeared to be as long as supercalifragilisticexpeladocious I figured I enjoyed english after all. In english always 4.0 however I still tend to mix- up their and there.lolololo :::::
    
    All of us have strengths and weaknesses so none of us is perfect.

    replyreport
33. 0

    ralwusposted 15 years ago

    A-a-r-r-o-n I think that's correct

    replyreport
    1. 38

       getpaidtopostposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       whats that in reply to?
       
       

       replyreport
       1. 0

          ralwusposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          Arron Spelling, a huge TV guy. Ring a bell? LOL

          replyreport
          1. 90

             RedElfposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             See - I knew I should have voted for you on the most humorous hubber forum...
             But what about Tori? (Spelling) after all, she had her own TV show (well, a "reality" show, anyway). She must be good at Spelling...?

             replyreport
             1. 0

                ralwusposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                Oh. *kicks self* I forgot her. LOL

                replyreport
34. 60

    Randy Godwinposted 15 years ago

    Crossword puzzles are an excellent means of improving your spelling and vocabulary skills.  Cryptograms, (coded sayings and quotations) anacrostics, and almost any other word game will help to gain spelling expertise.  But reading is still the best way in my opinion.
    
    
    
                         The King Snake
           
          Helping to take a bite out of.....well, other snakes.

    replyreport
    1. 38

       getpaidtopostposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks for the help, I have started playing Scrabble with my family, also on the brain train as i think my life is such a routine that my brain has ceased to learn, I first did brain train on nintendo ds last week and my age was 67 now im down to 45 but im only 32. will keep training on my spelling.
       
       Thanks for everyone's help.

       replyreport
35. 59

    logic,commonsenseposted 15 years ago

    I can read reading but I can't read writing.

    replyreport
    1. 60

       Laughing Momposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Maybe it's just late, but I'm confused....
       
       Anyone surprised??

       replyreport
       1. 38

          getpaidtopostposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          little humor I think.
          
          

          replyreport
    2. 38

       getpaidtopostposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       but can you spell though .
       
       

       replyreport