Expert: Ralph Salier - 11/4/2006

Question
So spelling is not a factor of intelligence or knowledge or capability.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Thank you for your reply, I mean no disrespect. Your answer only proves
my point. Since when is it acceptable to be half literate? Reading is only
one part of literacy, spelling is also a major part.  You should read the
ook, "The Dumbing Down Of America."


See below;
lit?er?ate? /?l?t?r?t/
1.able to read and write.
2.having or showing knowledge of literature, writing, etc.; literary; well
read.
3.characterized by skill, lucidity, polish, or the like: His writing is literate
but cold and clinical.  
4.having knowledge or skill in a specified field: literate in computer
usage.  
5.having an education; educated.
6.a person who can read and write.
7.a learned person.

The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
When you have as many mispelled words as you, how can you expect
anyone to take you seriously? And to think, everyone keeps asking me,
"why do you send your kids to Private School?" So they can learn the
basics! It isn't happening in public school anymore. How sad.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I've sent my kids to private school too and all three of them have
graduated from the International Baccalaureate program and have gone
on to Universities such as Stanford, Duke and Northwestern.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Then they would certainly agree with me, thanks to their eduction.  Have
a nice day.............



-----Answer-----
Hi Sid,

I've sent my kids to private school too and all three of them have
graduated from the International Baccalaureate program and have gone
on to Universities such as Stanford, Duke and Northwestern.  Two of my
kids have dyslexia and spelling was most definitely not their forte.  It did
not diminish their intelligence.  In their case, it is genetic.  I am also
dyslexic as was my father and grand father before him.  Yet, all of us
graduated from the University with masters or Ph.D.'s.

So spelling is not a factor of intelligence or knowledge or capability.  In
fact, many people with learning differences have other capabilities not
found in the broader population.  These include mechanical, spatial and
auditory "gifts" which are key to their success in life and overcoming
their learning differences.  

Yes, I do mis-spell words when I am tired, or in a hurry or passionate
about the subject.  As yet, I have not found anyone who does not take
me seriously.

Answer
Hi Sid,  It may well be interesting to read the " ook"   "The Dumbing Down Of America." but I am well aware of the issues in American education or the lack there of.  I am quite worried about the level of education the vast majority of children get these days.  

In the definition you provided above regarding "literacy", spelling is not listed among the items.  Spelling is both culturally altered, altered over time and changed by moving from one community to another.  The etymology of most words in any language show these changes.  Thus, new words are invented, words are changed and words drop out of usage.  

Here is a new word for you --- Flarving.  Its meaning hasn't even hit the dictionary yet.  Here it is:

A waste product of the body such as ear wax, belly button lint, toe jam, flatulence.  Thus Aural flarvings, Navel flarvings, digit flarvings, gaseous flarvings etc...  Other flarvings may be the "dust bunnies" under furniture, the crumbs on  the kitchen counter or the stuff sucked up by the vacuum cleaner.

Yes being well read is important to being well rounded, just as listening to music of all types or going to art museums to look at a broad range of artistic endeavors.  Spelling is important but it is more important to get ones ideas across to others and to which spelling is a non-sequitur.