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How important is correct spelling?

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www.records

Quality over Quantity
When looking through ads (eBay or CL), does poor spelling affect your interest?

I didn't realize it until this morning, but when I am looking at an item and reading the description, if I notice a bunch of poor spelling, I hit the back button and move on.

I realize there can be several different reasons for poor spelling, but until this morning I didn't realize how important it is to me when looking at items for sale.

My oldest son (30) struggles with spelling and in the break room at work, if someone is texting, several ask how to spell seemingly common words. These people aren't dumb, maybe spelling didn't hold an importance for them when in school. I don't have a problem telling them how it is spelled if I know how.

This is not an attempt to put down people who struggle with spelling, I was just curious if others were consciously or unconsciously affected by it.
 
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Yes, spelling is important as well as grammar. I have a problem with spelling. When I don't know the spelling of a word and I'm in a hurry, I tend to phonetic spell it. I read alot but spelling has not come easy to me.
 
There does seem to be an appalling increase of those that cannot write or spell correctly. Add to that the confusion among supposedly educated people that cannot differentiate when to use there, their and they're, etc.
 
.....I can certainly say "way out there" spelling would effect my viewing of an ad describing an item for sale....at that point, a phone call to the seller would be in order were I seriously interested in the item....
 
More annoying, since they are the products of ostensibly professional work, are print adverts containing spelling or grammar errors. It's made worse by the fact that a quite a few people must have read them before they end up in the public view.
 
steerpike2 said:
More annoying, since they are the products of ostensibly professional work, are print adverts containing spelling or grammar errors. It's made worse by the fact that a quite a few people must have read them before they end up in the public view.
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Add to that the errors in spelling and grammar in the "crawls" at the bottom of your television screen.:thumbsdn:
 
I have little tolerance for spelling issues, especially when many word processors cue you to misspelled words via those wiggly red underlines. In business and professional use, I find them indicative of sloppy, careless work. Then again, I am an auditor, so perhaps that's my nature...

I do see them as opportunities in auctions and listings when a careless error excludes a significant part of the competition. Yep, I'll look at a Marants 2285B receiver, no problem... :yes:

In texting, I don't care though. As a fumble fingers, I can appreciate shorthand and phonetics in that disposable medium.
 
I think, for me, how bothered I get by poor spelling or grammar, depends laregely on the venue. For instance, I don't really care about spelling in txt msgs, or, really, even in message boards like this one - unless, of course, the person's complaining about other people's spelling or grammar.

But in text messages or other informal venues, I don't really care that much.

If I found an ad on Craig's List or that auction site, and if the ad excited me, I'd be able to overlook a lot of poor mechanics to get a good deal on something I wanted. Of course, if the ad was so horribly written that it made me doubt the authenticity of the post, I might be dissuaded from following up on the ad.

I know lots of folks who are really bright engineers or scientists who absolutely suck when it comes to grammar and other elements of style, but who are, nonetheless, brilliant.

I've yet to see any study done that ties anything more than a coincidental link between a person's ability to express themself in writing and their intellect or general trustworthiness.

It's not just grammar I look at when I read ads. I also like to get a read on the logic they use. To me, poor use of logic generates a greater distrust of the messages I read.
 
The importance of good spelling and grammar

I believe spelling is a lot like math. It comes easier for some than others. As a result, some have to work much harder to be good at it than others. Some aren't willing to put that effort in and it shows.

One's ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbal, affects that person more than they might realize. A well composed ad or post on a forum will be read by more people and the attention to good grammar, sentence structure and spelling will result in a more complete understanding of the thoughts contained within.

Many CL ads as well as posts on forums like this read more like a "stream of consciousness" than a well thought composition. Totally ignoring rules of grammar, punctuation, capitalization and sentence and paragaph structure renders many completely unreadable.

I would read a poorly constructed ad if it were brief and the article for sale was one of interest to me. I find most of these ads are for car stereo and video games.

I will admit that I would anticipate a better experience dealing with a CL seller if the ad is grammatically correct. Of course, there are other factors as well. A good picture, good description, clearly stated price and a phone number certainly encourage me to do business!
 
Once printing became widespread, some 300 years past, each printer was the arbiter of “good” spelling. So, what was once an original mistake becomes a defended standard. What standard is it that I defend? What many U.S. Americans consider to be acceptable innovations in language are bastardizations to the speakers of U.K. English. Accurate spelling is no help unless the topic at hand is understood. I must distinguish between plain ignorance and laziness. Pedantic defense of an aging language, referencing a specific point in time, becomes a fool's quest. Any language that fails to adapt to the time and technology in which it is used will surely be discarded in favor of one more relevant and complete. Communication is the key. If I ruthlessly defend a “One and Only Standard”, aren't I the one not expediting communication? If I can understand implication, intent, and context, do the rest of my expectations become some self-righteous in nature? Perhaps, forgiveness of the spelling and encouraging participation in a free exchange of ideas will strengthen us all. The paths of verbal and written rectitude far outweigh a perfectly formed prevarication. I do not defend the dumbing down of education... teach to the highest standard. But, the spelling and grammar expectations I have for my doctor are in no way those I have for my equally intelligent pet groomer.

Just my opinion.

Please excuse errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar. :)
 
Mysteryed said:
I do not defend the dumbing down of education... teach to the highest standard. But, the spelling and grammar expectations I have for my doctor are in no way those I have for my equally intelligent pet groomer.

Just my opinion.
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Why not? It doesn't seem to follow that while you espouse high standards, you accept less??

With the current "dumbing down" that seems so prevalent (and ironically so when the call to educate has never been louder) I would be very wary of accepting any sort of "standards" from the masses.
 
my take

I was taught that spelling mattered.
The "rules" of spelling and grammer drove me nuts.
Mathematics was SO much easier.
I did a LOT of reading.
I found out that I knew more words than I could pronounce correctly (no one I knew, used them).
I sucked at spelling because I didn't do a lot of writing for many years after grade school.
When I returned to college, I knew "readability" was going to help my grades.
Good thing I took up computers and used spell checkers.
I paid attention to the mistakes they found and worked to learn the words.
I still do.

The point is, unless you do a lot of writing and work at spelling, it seems to "slip" and you lose the skill.

Bad spelling does leave me with an impression of "less" on a person. Since I work with a lot of people that have English as a second language, I can allow for some mistake. I tend to view the entire context to pick up on the information and "intelligence" behind it.

What really gets me is a mistake when they seem to have the right spelling at hand. "Murantz" and a photo of the Marantz, "Rockford Phosgate" and a photo of a Rockford Fosgate.....:D
 
Andyman said:
Why not? It doesn't seem to follow that while you espouse high standards, you accept less??

With the current "dumbing down" that seems so prevalent (and ironically so when the call to educate has never been louder) I would be very wary of accepting any sort of "standards" from the masses.
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I do accept less. I must, if I also accept the freewill of individuals. The call to higher standards is acceptable, as long as we do not attempt to force all persons into the academic track. I believe industrial apprenticeships sponsored by businesses could be an answer. When I was welding for a commercial HVAC company, no one wanted me to write a thesis. A weld joint that passed the inspectors standards was primary to my continued employment. Educate to the highest standard? Yes. Always in the academic track? No.
 
I don't know, to me misspelled words are a sign of ignorance; ignorance of the correct spelling.

And while I too accept the free will of individuals to chose, I think the choice to be ignorant is a poor one that should not be rewarded or encouraged. We all should strive to do our best, and that includes spelling. I prefer excellence to mediocrity, but I get the feeling that I'm in the minority these days.
 
My daughter is the smartest kid in her middle school class (really she is) and she got into some hot water with a teacher and sent her a email trying to explain her position. As I can read her email I took this opportunity to see if my daughter is representing her family well. She wasn't. Her email was filled with misspellings and texting lingo. I was furious. Not only did this email make her look like a thirteen year old wrapper, drug dealer , sh!thead, it missed the whole point of her original intention: to impress upon her teacher what a intelligent and responsible student she was.

I realize that in communications among friends spelling and grammar are only important if they are important to the intended audience but if your putting something out for public consumption using a standard to which all written communication is held only helps. If an ad for a pair of speakers says they are "bad a$$!" and they will piss off you neighbors I tend to want to steer clear. Like wise if they use all texting lingo and ask me to "hit them back with a text 'cause I be rollin' wit my crew."

I realize I'm lucky to have received the education I have and I try not to let a poorly written CL ad put me off and I will often let the phone call to the seller be the deciding factor.

I have to say that the quality of the ads I see sure doesn't say much for the California school system.

Have a nice day. Dude.

Eric
 
Your preference for excellence over mediocrity is highly admirable. I cannot argue against it. It is what I include, or exclude, as one of the standards applicable to all person, that we will have to disagree on. Your presentation of your expectations has made me think, and that, my friend, is always a good thing!
 
Well since this is in "Dollars and Sense", I'll restate that in this sort of classified ad venue I'm less sensitive to it than in others. While misspelled words and text jargon don't impress me, it's the goods I'm interested in, and that's what really counts.

Sometimes I hope that the ignorance of the seller in spelling and grammar extends to the item for sale. If someone has a set of "bitchin' kick A$$ Kliptsch horns" for sale for $100, you bet I'm on it :yes:
 
I am a poor speller, I'm not a lazy person, or a bad person as you all describe. You all must be good at everything you do and bother no one in your daily life, a gift
you apparently cherish.
 
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