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Do spellng errors winde you up?
Posted by WebGeek2point0 • 7/24/07 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
If you discover a spelling mistake or typo in a blog, do you find it less appealing? Does it make the blog less authorative?
User Comments
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No not really. Everyone makes mistakes when they type. According to John Chow, it's ok as long as the readers understand what they MEANT to say. But excessive spelling mistakes do make it less appealing. -
I once had a student write an essay arguing that "arousal" sprays should be banned.
Yup. I agree. I "defiantly" think so...
Writer -
I can tolerate some spelling errors in emails and forums, but I have a lower tolerance on blogs. That said, I am coming to appreciate the efforts of people who are blogging about their own life in the best way they can. It might not be up to my standards, but neither do I want them to shut up.
But there are also bloggers out there who make mistakes and should know better---like the student who was concerned about the 'aroused" sprays. Here's what Taylor Mali has to say about "The Impotence of Proofreading": stoneman.tumblr.com/post/4087895 -
Other peoples blogs who can't spell, I can't and don't read them.
As for my blogs, I always proof it before it goes up. If I find a spelling error later it drives me nuts so I correct it. -
I was haunted by my own typing error for weeks because it was spidered and cached by google. I cringed everytime I read 'where insiration is at the bottom of a full glass'.
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And sometimes it isn't even a typo but wording. I read your post as "catched by Google" and was debating the merits of pointing it out to you when I realized that you typed "cached"! Now I'm paranoid that I'm going to leave a typo in this post.
I don't mind an error or two. Everyone misses a mistake in their own writing from time to time. If it's apparent that English is not the writer's first language I am much more tolerant of errors as well. But if the blog is riddled with spelling and grammatical errors I won't read it again. Don't bloggers who are professional enough to proofread deserve my clicks instead?
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I do my best to proofread but... yeah sometimes it happens. It's the nature of the self-publication beast, no? Our only editors are spell checkers... -
Even some of the best sites have them. -
A typo here and there doesn't bother me but, if the author doesn't even care to try, I get annoyed. -
What stoneman said. I'm biased, though: former English teacher, 10 years as an advertising copywriter. The project that wrapped up just before I started the latter job had gone to press, and been distributed, with a huge, red, and mis-spelled, headline.
lik stonnma sed' a foo splng mspaks q53n'5t two bud. Buy whun their lik thes, it maks u wundr, duz tha guy rhink lik hi spuls?
Sorry about that?
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Brings to mind what I repeat to history students who wonder if I am going to grade only the history content or also the English in their papers: sloppy writing reflects sloppy thinking.
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Stands up and applauds Stoneman.
Writer -
That reminds me of the ad card that came with our copy of the last Harry Potter book. The last sentence on the graphic side was, "Your on." I wanted to kick someone, preferrably the idiot who designed the thing. Either they should have used "you're" or they should have made it clear that it was a catch-phrase (poor though it is) and not used a period. [shakes head]
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I understand that it can happen sometimes. But if someone is blogging about how they are an English teacher or author or whatnot - I donut want it to be something I can pick up on easily- especially if it's often. Blogs, you have a chance to think and spell-check more than forums. -
The way I see it is if you cant be bothered to spell check it, I can't be bothered to read it.-
After awl, every pea sea comes with spell cheque!
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Mi centiments eggzacly
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My 9-year-old stepdaughter and 6-year-old stepson have created works that are imaginative, and full of colour and life. The spelling has not been perfect and the grammar is rarely up to scratch but they are still worth reading.
The same could be said for adults who have never found it easy to put what is in their minds down on paper or on a Blog for all to read. Just because there are errors It does not make it any the less valid or enjoyable.
I wonder how perfect certain posters spelling, would be without the aid of a spell checker?
Comments such as "Did you write this? C-" written in the margin of my essays in school as well as having work discarded as irrelevant because a comma wasn’t used, killed any desire to write for over 25 years.
It has to be said that nothing can kill off more efficiently the desire to create than the arrogant droning of the spelling and grammar Nazi. -
Incorrect usage is as annoying as spelling mistakes.
The inability to differentiate between
there
their and
they're
is a mark of someone lacking a basic grasp of the language.
Also; to and too. How difficult can it be?-
My mate Paul is dyslexic. I will go and ask him.
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Actually, since you mentioned three things, it's "among" not "between."
Sorry.....I just couldn't resist! The opportunity was right there....
;-)
Writer
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Depends. The odd one is okay. Like someone coughing once. If there are loads then it becomes distracting and you get covered in spit. -
GF,
Come on, that's a bit disingenuous to insinuate that anyone complaining about spelling and grammar mistakes is somehow being insensitive to those with learning disabilities.
Spelling and grammar are the foundations of communicating with language. Poor usage is jarring for many people.
Just as to complain about poor workmanship is not to attack those with physical disabilities who would have a more difficult time performing certain tasks.-
A fair point but, complaining or taking the mick especially from a position of pseudo superiority is vastly different from gentle instruction.
For a start it is ignoring the subject matter for the sake of finding fault. It also has the potential to put people off promoting their work or even attempting something creative in the first place.
Granted spelling mistakes can be distracting but they should not detract from the content and substance of the creator’s work.
With regards to people with disabilities or learning problems, how do you know I'm not disabled, or that anyone else here isn’t? This site along with many others only displays the barest of details about individuals. Unless someone wishes to announce his or her disability, nobody will ever know. It is not implying deliberate insensitivity on anybody’s part, but it does highlight the point that people do not know the finer details of who they are talking to on the other side of the screen. A certain amount of caution when criticising may be advisable. :S
This thread has not got down the road of dragging up examples from posters blog’s thank heaven. I wonder though, how many of us have gone back to our sites and checked our spelling just in case.
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Well-said.
I understand GrimlyFiendish's point about the possibility of people with interesting things to say, who may not be well-versed in grammar.
But spelling and grammar weren't designed to PEN IN creativity, but release it by making words and thoughts more easily understood for everybody. Suggesting people try to proofread themselves isn't elitist. It's like saying, "Hey, stop lights are a good idea for everyone in the community. It simply makes traffic flow better."
Anyway, what can ruin a post is typiically MORE than an occasional a type-o or a missed comma. We all understand these mistakes creep in.
But because a reader has only words to hold onto in order to gain an impression of a writer, writing with extensive type-os and poor grammar, whether we like it or not, really does make up some of that impression.
That's all. -
I agree. A ver good point.
I think the only writing style I have a problem with is text speak but you cant exactly say it is based on spelling or grammar as both are non-existent.
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Hmm...I once had to put up with "bare with me, please" instead of "bear up with me, please"... I guess those are the days where a sense of humour goes a long way.
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It's all about the degree of spelling errors.
I have made a couple on digg that I'm ashamed of.
Grammar nazis can be pretty annoying too -
We all make mistakes.
I am sure, I am making more than one spelling mistake when I write something in English. When I make a post on my blog, I go back and review the post to make sure that I haven’t made any spelling mistakes or mistakes that could make my sentences sound odd. However, English isn´t my first language. So if you find odd errors, feel free to correct me. -
Maraming kalamutan ko. Especially in my second language. -
it dosent bova me at tall lol Google bar has a pretty good spellchecker i just click it before i post so i never have that problem ... -
I think its better to tell 'em about the mistake rather than screw 'em.
The bottomline is, we're imperfect how much more with our spelling and correct choice of word and use of rules.
Does it makes sense?
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