Spelling Matters

Yes, spelling does matter.  But before leaving that point, I want to mention one reason for choosing that title for this post, which can actually mean two different things - related, to be sure, but different.

One meaning is the one I opened with: the title of the post can mean to say (with assumed, amplified, or understood words here in brackets) - "[Correct] Spelling [does make a difference; in the course of written communication, it] Matters."

The second meaning turns the title into a label, describing what will be found in the post: Matters [or issues, subjects, or concerns] [related to] Spelling. In this case, spelling once upon a time started its life in the language as a verb form (present participle or gerund); that form became used as a noun, meaning the art of doing that thing well (that is, making sure words are spelled correctly) and also meaning the correct arrangement of letters that appears when the word is spelled correctly.  Finally, when it is used as in the title above, the noun spelling in conjunction with the noun matters is used to explain the kind of matters I want to discuss, and so it takes on a sort of adjectival quality.

The whole subject of spelling is a sensitive one these days.  A lot of people focus on problems with your and you're; it's and its; to, too, and two.  I would like to spotlight some other words I have seen misspelled such that the misspelling changes the meaning of the sentence.

These are actual examples; some have been modified to protect the unaware:

My personal take on blaring music idiots (yes, they are idiots), is that they are insecure (baring any problems with their hearing).

When the writer wrote baring, instead of barring (or even bearing), she indicated that the problems were being laid bare; that is, they were being uncovered.  What she meant to indicate, I believe, was that she wanted to exclude (or bar) a listener's problems with hearing from her blanket label of loud-music players as idiots who are insecure. It's not very likely in this case, but someone could speak of bearing a problem, meaning taking on a problem, shouldering the responsibility for a problem, or carrying the weight of the problem.  I don't believe that is the case here.

The universe teams with intelligent life. 

This may be my favorite spelling mistake ever.  As written, with the misspelling, it means that the universe is on the same team as intelligent life, like a sports team, a sales team, a spell bowl team, etc.  (I certainly hope this is what happens!)  I believe, though, that the writer should have typed teems, meaning [it] is abundant, [it] overflows or swarms. 
If you think a stuttering foreigner with an accent will be as effective a receptionist as someone who has perfect annunciation, you're wrong.

I'll hazard a guess that the writer went to a parochial school, but failed to learn the difference between The Annunciation and enunciation (which is what he meant).  Annunciation can be used to describe any act of announcing, but it is especially used (capitalized) to describe the event of the angel Gabriel announcing to Mary the news that she would be the mother of the Christ. It can also be used to name the feast day when this is commemorated.  As a mnemonic, notice the ann- at the beginning of both words: announce and annunciation.

In talking about good pronunciation, with clarity as its paramount trait, the writer intended to mention enunciation, the act of enunciating or pronouncing articulately.  I can't suggest a great mnemonic to help remember this spelling, other than to point out that it is so-to-speak the opposite of annunciation: e- instead of a-, one -n- instead of two.

But, just in case you think you've grasped the differences between these two words, be aware that enunciation can carry some of the same meaning as annunciation (that is, announcing, proclaiming or declaring) - but it does not work the other way around!

I have redone all articles before this new venue.  I really believe this is more than a misspelling.  I believe the writer actually chose the wrong word.  I feel confident that she meant venture, not venue.  A venture is an undertaking, often a risky or hazardous one (although it has become increasingly more tame in its meaning over the years); a venue is the location of a crime or the location of the trial for the crime.  Venue can also mean the location of any event. 

But, just to confuse things, it can also mean the position someone takes in a debate or argument.  That meaning could - theoretically - apply here, since the writer was talking about a new direction being taken on the self-publishing site where she writes.  I'm skeptical, though.


In any event, misspellings can be entertaining, but they can also be confusing and misleading.  The process of communicating improves immensely, when you are sure you are using the word you actually mean and when you make sure you spelled it correctly.