| From: | Matt Sealey |
| Date: | 9 Aug 2000 at 19:50:58 |
| Subject: | Re: Talkin to computers |
Hello Mark
On 08-Aug-00, you wrote:
> Also I know that Matt says that being dyslexic is no excuse for bad spelling
> but what about the fact that most dyslexics spell phonetically as its the only
> way they "hear" the word and do not understand quirks of the english language.
That's not my point at all. Only today, you've completely proved my point!
Dyslexics have trouble with words. That's a given. But trouble with words
needn't grow into bad spelling. How?
EFFORT.
You were whirring away on IRC, f-ing and blinding at how I hadn't got a clue,
and you didn't make one spelling mistake or grammatical error, nothing that
I would have duly noticed anyway. Why? Well you explained to me that you
have to go through all sorts to get it right!
Dyslexia + effort = good spelling
You are to be commended, Mark ;)
.... However .....
Dyslexia - effort = bad spelling and incomprehensible texts.
What is wrong with the equation? Not dyslexia, but the lack of effort applied to
"solving" it. It won't make dyslexia go away, nor will it make it easier (in
fact, the opposite) but damn won't you be proud when it comes out all happy
and correct? Won't that be an acheivement?
Not saying that Andrew is lazy, but IMO (and that is the important acronym
here) you can't just use dyslexia as an excuse for underacheiving, flunking
college courses, misspelling 9 words out of 10, when all that you need is a
little effort and maybe a little help from a dictionary, hell a spellchecker
would do for most.
What does this effort entail?
Nothing. So your emails don't go out for 5 minutes more, it's not like it's an
instant method of communication anyway.
Why do I have such a strong opinion on this? Because I, for one, am sick of
people running around complaining about things and blaming it on their
disabilities. People in wheelchairs complaining to bus companies, people
whining about the lack of 'big print' leaflets, web standards zealots saying
"well I don't put Flash on my site because Blind people won't see it!!". It just
makes me seethe. All you need is a little common sense, a little work, and a
less of a "the world is fighting me and my problem" attitude.
Just to clarify, I didn't ever call anyone thick, stupid or a freak. Except
left-handed people, they *are* freaks, and evil ones as well :)
Flame on.
Thanks
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