SPELLING!!

[Bergie]

I was going to give this thread some merit until the author misspelled misspelled. [:o)] Now it’s locked.

Plus, nobody’s perfect. I personally think a bigger concern is a lack of punctuation and all lower case letters. That’s far more annoying than a misspelled word.

Bergie

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dave9999

QUOTE: Originally posted by twhite

Rex--there's an interesting piece that came out about a year ago from a Princeton study, we had it at our High School. Every word in the statement was mis-spelled, but every word began and ended with the proper letter. Oddly enough, when I gave it to my students to read, they all understood it. The point was, that we don't read every letter in every word, we scan and our brain seems to be able to unscramble it anyway.
Tom

This was emailed to me awhile back...... Pretty amazing, I thought. Dave

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 deson't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig

This looks like something spawned from IVAN THE TERRIBLE, Dave, BTW, how are you doing up there. East coast is still a mess all the way up to Vero Beach...Dan

[Anonymous]

I'm not touching this one at all, except to say, I speak Merikan, not the cotten picken queens english. [:)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dave9999

QUOTE: Originally posted by twhite

Rex--there's an interesting piece that came out about a year ago from a Princeton study, we had it at our High School. Every word in the statement was mis-spelled, but every word began and ended with the proper letter. Oddly enough, when I gave it to my students to read, they all understood it. The point was, that we don't read every letter in every word, we scan and our brain seems to be able to unscramble it anyway.
Tom

This was emailed to me awhile back...... Pretty amazing, I thought. Dave

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 deson't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig

LOL!!!!1111111111 tat wuz soooooooooo funnie roffle but y do u hav 2 pik on som ppl tat cnat spel well!?!1!?!12r i meen i uze aim all da time lol and i ubreviate ulot so i hav a ixcuse olol!!!!

[darth9x9]

QUOTE: Originally posted by willy6

the people on this forum that look for spelling mistakes are "rivet counters'

Actually, they are the ones who measure the rivots! Seriously, I often will cut-n-paste my postings into Word, spell check it, and then paste it back. A little more effort but it makes me looks edumacated.......

[dave9999]

QUOTE: Originally posted by twhite

Rex--there's an interesting piece that came out about a year ago from a Princeton study, we had it at our High School. Every word in the statement was mis-spelled, but every word began and ended with the proper letter. Oddly enough, when I gave it to my students to read, they all understood it. The point was, that we don't read every letter in every word, we scan and our brain seems to be able to unscramble it anyway.
Tom

This was emailed to me awhile back...... Pretty amazing, I thought. Dave

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 deson't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig

[tatans]

Try : Spelling Test on www.sentex.net I figured a hot shot speller guy like me who never makes a mistake on this forum would get 50 out 0f 50 correct, well, I got 24 wrong
Maybe I can blame it on American spelling eh? let's ease off on this subject for a while.

[twhite]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BRAKIE

Eye halve a spelling chequer
It came with my pea sea
It plainly marques four my revue
Miss steaks eye kin knot sea.
Eye strike a key and type a word
And weight four it two say
Weather eye am wrong oar write
It shows me strait a weigh.
As soon as a mist ache is maid
It nose bee four two long
And eye can put the error rite
Its rare lea ever wrong.
Eye have run this poem threw it
Eye am shore your pleased two no
Its letter perfect awl the weigh
My chequer tolled me sew.
Unknown author.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[:D][:p][;)][:o)][:o)]

Thank you, Brakie, that just about sums up my opinion of SpelChek (or however you spell the darned thing) entirely. I can't tell you how many times I've had to abandon that program in favor of a good old paperback Roget's.
Tom

[egmurphy]

Boy, Elliot, sometimes you really tick me off! Here I am reading through the thread, thinking I'm going to add something a bit different to the mix (right, the thread is already two pages long and I'm thinking I'm going to add something new? [%-)]) when all of a sudden you've taken the words out of my mouth with:

QUOTE: ...it's one thing to notice poor spelling and grammar, and shake your head in private. It's something completely different to shake your finger in public. I would rather see poorly written material from someone, than not have them participate at all.

And as if that wasn't enough, while I was thinking I'd inject some humor and lighten things up you stole my best line with:

QUOTE: Hey guys, we better watch out. This topic has nothing to do with trains, and is subject to deletion...

[;)]


I take time to proof my posts because I like to have my ramblings as well written as I can make them, and errors still get through. And sure, I'd like to see others take the time to avoid careless errors. But while I may notice errors in other posts I'd much prefer that someone post a question or a reply that has a lot of mistakes rather than have that person not post because they feel that someone will comment on their errors.

I'm glad we injected the gauge/guage discussion in here to keep us on topic. [:)]


But hey, that's just my opinion.

Regards

Ed

[tstage]

This is getting blown way out of proportion. I think that many or most of us are forgiving when it comes to typos or misspellings. The original intent by Mark was to "raise the awareness" that we should be a little more careful about our spelling. Nothing more, nothing less.

It has nothing to do with superiority or looking for opportunities to nitpick someone's post to death. Just strive to become better at everything you do. If you make a few mistakes along the way - fine! Try and do better next time. No one is asking you to become the next Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. (Although Brakie, your quote comes pretty close.)

If the suggestion has merit, consider it and take it to heart. If it doesn't, then remain as you are.

Tom

[eastcoast]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BRAKIE

Eye halve a spelling chequer
It came with my pea sea
It plainly marques four my revue
Miss steaks eye kin knot sea.
Eye strike a key and type a word
And weight four it two say
Weather eye am wrong oar write
It shows me strait a weigh.
As soon as a mist ache is maid
It nose bee four two long
And eye can put the error rite
Its rare lea ever wrong.
Eye have run this poem threw it
Eye am shore your pleased two no
Its letter perfect awl the weigh
My chequer tolled me sew.
Unknown author.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[:D][:p][;)][:o)][:o)]

[(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][bow]
I AM STILL ROLLING ON THE FLOOR IN LAUGHTER !!!!!
AWESOME, AWESOME , BRAVO, BRAVO.

[^] We all come from many different "corners" of the world.
We are all educated differently, and of various ages.
When you put a post like this on a forum, you ARE attacking
your fellow "friends" when you insult them. CAN YOU READ ?
I read just fine, and the fact that we are intelligent beings, our
brains are "programmed" to fill in the blanks and make a correction
to suit ourselves. I fully understood the above poem because I
understand poetry and loved it.
Be kind to each other.


AWESOME , BRAKIE, AWESOME.
[(-D][bow][(-D]


P.S.
since I use the two finger method to type, I type like crap anyway.
SO, every once in a while I miss and then send without looking up
at the screen, forgive me if I seem like an idiot to ya'll. EastCoast

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TA462

It does for me Elliot. I'm not the best at typing and I'm sure I make lots of typos but that wouldn't stop me from posting something and I would hope it wouldn't stop others as well.

Thanks TA, that's the right attitude. I have actually seen a case or two here, where it seemed that the person's writing skills were so low that they were reluctant to participate. I'm talking borderline literacy. We shouldn't judge too harshly, lest we frighten people into silence.

It is also important to keep in mind that some of the members here are young. We who know better should try to set a good example, and for the most part I think we do a pretty good job. Ive actually noticed some improvement is the writing skills of some of our young friends. Practice makes perfect.[swg]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by deschane

Jeez, all I said was to read over what you've written and you would likely catch the misspelled words! My intentions were not to show my superior intellect, hurt anyones feelings, or quash what's said here! Oh, by the way, I barely graduated from high school! Not because I was stupid, but because school just didn't work for me!

You all can go off on all your tangents and misread and misinterpret what was said. However, how can you argue with the above?

There are so few of you whom do poorly with writing skills, I am astounded by the knee jerk reaction here!

However, it appears I have offended and I am sorry for this! Oh, I mean I am SORRY for this!

Mark DeSchane

[Anonymous]

This site is wonderful for me to try and learn things about model railroading before i invest my few dollars so my son and i can build a model railroad. However it does seem to get kinda petty at times with people who seem to have a perfectionist attitude. Noone is perfect, if a thread bothers you because of it's grammar etc. then skip it. I think everyone tries to be the best they can at all times but we all make mistakes and there are some who may not be as educated. The wealthiest man i know never went past the second grade and can barely write, but he is honest and does more for those around him than anyone else knows. Keep the petty comments to yourself is my opinion. After all are we all here to promote model railroading or are we grading a grammar test?

[BRAKIE]

Eye halve a spelling chequer
It came with my pea sea
It plainly marques four my revue
Miss steaks eye kin knot sea.
Eye strike a key and type a word
And weight four it two say
Weather eye am wrong oar write
It shows me strait a weigh.
As soon as a mist ache is maid
It nose bee four two long
And eye can put the error rite
Its rare lea ever wrong.
Eye have run this poem threw it
Eye am shore your pleased two no
Its letter perfect awl the weigh
My chequer tolled me sew.
Unknown author.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[:D][:p][;)][:o)][:o)]

[Anonymous]

I always use Google when I don't know how to spell something correctly. I know it sounds funny but its true! It really does work!

[Big_Boy_4005]

Hey guys, it's one thing to notice poor spelling and grammar, and shake your head in private. It's something completely different to shake your finger in public. I would rather see poorly written material from someone, than not have them participate at all.

If you understand the idea being conveyed in a post, that's what really counts. If the post is completely unintelligible, and I've seen a few, then it might be safe to write that individual off as a total loss.

Personally, I've made tons of typos, and my grammar isn't perfect, but most people understand what I'm trying to say. Isn't that what really counts around here?

[rogerhensley]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jimrice4449

The quality of a thought is generally reflected in the quality of its expression.
Am I the only one who has noticed that posts from Australia and the UK are generally noticeably better written than those from the USA? Could this be a reflection on the quality of our schools?

That and a certain laziness that seems to have overtaken the U.S. You instead of your, your instead of you're., etc. If you can't spell, you aren't communicating well. Yes, I make mistakes, but in most cases, I edit the post and correct them. I stop reading posts that have major spelling and grammatical problems. They are just too hard to read and not worth the effort.

[Anonymous]

I learned my lesson about complaining about other people's spelling and punctuation. I posted on a Ford truck site regularly. Some kid was complaining about not being able to find a job. His posts had terrible spelling, terrible grammar, and no punctuation. I explained that, as a businessowner, if someone wrote to me like that, I would toss the application or resume. Boy, did the others blast me. The first one was some English major, ripping my post apart for proper (textbook?) english. I think there is "proper english" and then there is "accepted American". We may not all write and speak like an English professor, but some basic rules and form should be followed. I try to write in an acceptible fashion, and try to spell properly, and would expect most to do the same. IN MY OPINION, to do anything less is just pure laziness. If you don't take the time to at least attempt a good job in everything you do, it reflects poorly.
Now, if an English professor is reading this......

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FundyNorthern

One problem with spelling errors, especially in the Subject, is that if one tries to do a search of messages the improperly spelled word will not show up. Some subjects have many spelling errors.

There should be a "Gauge Award" to present to those who spell spell the word "guage"! "Guage" is "goo-age", while "Gauge" is "Gage".

Bob Boudreau

You talkin to me Bob? I resemble that remark.[B)][:0][;)][(-D][(-D][(-D]

I remember that topic well, and have learned my lesson. Now I laugh when I see others do it.[:D]

Hey guys, we better watch out. This topic has nothing to do with trains, and is subject to deletion under the Brunton rule.[:0]

[lupo]

on some occasions I use an online dictionary: http://www.m-w.com/
not on every word all the time, but I try , and hey:

QUOTE: You people whom American English is not your primary language ( that's me )have an excuse and are exempt.

and if you wanna laugh I try to translate with http://www.babelfish.altavista.com/
you can even try this at home [8D]
translate you text into any language and then back into english . . you will be surprised
[8D]

[Anonymous]

Jeez, all I said was to read over what you've written and you would likely catch the misspelled words! My intentions were not to show my superior intellect, hurt anyones feelings, or quash what's said here! Oh, by the way, I barely graduated from high school! Not because I was stupid, but because school just didn't work for me!

[Anonymous]

One problem with spelling errors, especially in the Subject, is that if one tries to do a search of messages the improperly spelled word will not show up. Some subjects have many spelling errors.

There should be a "Gauge Award" to present to those who spell spell the word "guage"! "Guage" is "goo-age", while "Gauge" is "Gage".

Bob Boudreau

[Bikerdad]

QUOTE: Originally posted by willy6

the people on this forum that look for spelling mistakes are "rivet counters'

Posters who out of laziness disregard the conventions of spelling and grammar are Tycos. Low quality stock that runs for a few hours before failure results in consignment to the trashheap of history.

Mistakes in spelling and grammar are not searched out, they are simply noticed. Wilfully failing to take the time to communicate clearly shows a disrespect for others. If you doubt me, consider how you would react to somebody who always keeps their hand in front of their mouth when talking, effectively muffling what they say. When asked to move their hand so you can hear them, they come back with a muffled "tough, if you don't like it, listen harder." That's respect, ain't it?

The occasional typo or mispelled word passes without notice, but as already noted, gross grammatical and spelling errors are painful to read. I'm not talking about deliberately taking a "conversational" style, something that I do frequently. no, I tawkin abowt peeple who dont spel wirth a hoot and nevr use capitool letrs and ...
...
take the attitude inherent in the answer to this question:

"What's the difference between ignorance and apathy?"

If you want your readers to respect what you have to say, then respect them.

[railman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by willy6

the people on this forum that look for spelling mistakes are "rivet counters'

hey, easy now. Just because I believe in well executed grammar doesn't make me a rivet counter! I'm a blue box modeler! Don't associate wordy railroaders with the real rivet counters! They are different!

I'm not a 'grammar-doer!"

[jimrice4449]

The quality of a thought is generally reflected in the quality of its expression.
Am I the only one who has noticed that posts from Australia and the UK are generally noticeably better written than those from the USA? Could this be a reflection on the quality of our schools?

[twhite]

Rex--there's an interesting piece that came out about a year ago from a Princeton study, we had it at our High School. Every word in the statement was mis-spelled, but every word began and ended with the proper letter. Oddly enough, when I gave it to my students to read, they all understood it. The point was, that we don't read every letter in every word, we scan and our brain seems to be able to unscramble it anyway. And since most of us on the web are writing 'off the top of our heads' so to speak, I don't let grammatical errors bother me. I'm more interested in the content of what someone has to say.
Oh, and by the way, Oklahoma Train Nut--we KNOW you can't spell! And it doesn't take away one iota from the pleasure I get out of reading your posts.
Tom

[NZRMac]

Good on ya Rex

Ken.

[rexhea]

QUOTE: Originally posted by twhite

It's spelled grammAr. A, not E.

Good catch twhite. It has been corrected. Good example of fingers working without being in sync with the brain.[ :D]

I have to wonder how many feelings have been hurt by this post. Not everyone on this forum has a higher education if that has anything to do with it. I will admit that I make careless spelling and grammatical errors, but I'm not perfect or pompous enough to think that I am. However, it is nice to know that I have been internationally published.

Bergi, where's that danged "Spell Checker"

CULater