Question:
Correcting someone's spelling, why do dyslexics get upset by it? Is it mean to correct their spelling?
Kit
2009-12-01 06:48:44 UTC
I was at a forum today and I see a post and it had a bunch of misspelled words. I thought I could quote the post and fix all the errors and type "Fixed" at the bottom so it be easier for everyone to read. But as I was correcting it, I came to the part where he said he knows he should be using spell check but it takes him too long to do it and he said he has dyslexia. It made me think if I should continue or not. I have seen dyslexics saying online how they hate it when people fix their posts by quoting them and fixing all their spelling errors and then they throw a fit about it. So it made me wonder if it be mean to do it still but because I wasn't sure, I hit the back button.

Would it have been mean if I did it? Why do dyslexics get upset when their spelling errors get corrected? I see it as making it easier for everyone to read so they aren't struggling or skipping their post so why would that upset them?
Eighteen answers:
undir
2009-12-02 03:42:32 UTC
I find it rude when people focus on spelling rather than the content of a post. That happens all the time though. It’s like people don’t care what the person has to say if it’s not spelled perfectly.



People who are dyslexic can’t help spelling wrong. Correcting them will not help them write the words correctly the next time and they don’t need to be constantly reminded of how bad their spelling is. Being constantly corrected by others can get very annoying and frustrating and it can have negative effects on the person’s self-esteem. Nobody likes to have their mistakes or shortcomings pointed out all the time and if people always comment on the spelling rather than what the person has to say, it gives the impression that people don’t take them seriously or don’t care about what they said, just because of the spelling.



So you would not have done this person any favors by correcting his post. You could have just made him feel worse about it. I think the reason why he mentioned his spelling problem in the post was to indicate that he is well aware of his bad spelling and can’t help it and would rather be left alone about it.



There are some dyslexics who don’t mind having their spelling fixed by others, but there are much more dyslexics who wish people would just not care so much about the spelling and focus on the content for a change.



Spell checks are not always useful for dyslexics either. They don’t correct everything. There are some words they don’t recognize and if the word is really badly misspelled they don’t always recognize which word it was supposed to be. They don’t understand context, so they don’t correct misspellings if the misspelled word looks like another real word (for example they don’t usually recognize the difference between “we’re” and “were” or "has" and "had"). Spell checks that ask you to confirm which word you meant to write (such as the spell check here on Y!A) can be a problem too, because a dyslexic won’t necessarily recognize the correctly spelled word from the list. It also takes extra time and effort to go over the corrections like this.



Spell checks can be rather time consuming. The time they take may seem insignificant when you’re writing one post on a forum, but imagine the time it takes to have literally everything you write spell checked (every post you write on forums, every e-mail, every instant message etc.). On top of that, dyslexics often read and/or write slowly, so in total they must spend much more time than others when writing. Sometimes there just isn’t much extra time or patience for spell checks.
SJ
2014-02-22 13:01:45 UTC
I have dyslexia, personally i don't find it rude. But i hate it, not the person doing the correction but because it makes me feel a failure. When i write down a word, it makes perfect sense in my head, then when someone with good intentions comes along and corrects it, it makes me feel stupid. Throughout school, which i hated, i found people and teachers would get angry at the mistakes i make, this would happen alot. When they got annoyed i just felt upset, because why can't i write correctly. I was 10 before i could read so up until that time teachers just passed me of for being too stupid or slow. I then come from a very smart family, which i feel just makes me stand out, i would spend hours writing a couple of paragraphs and read over and over it again, only to be told about the spelling mistakes or the gramatical errors. After a while it just got draining, i rarly show my work to other people now, becuase i like to leave it perfect in my head.



Understand this though, i don't find it mean when people correct me, after all they are trying to help, but everytime someone does, i just get a bit upset, i know i shouldn't, but i do. Sometimes, when someone corrects me i lash out at them, i don't mean to. Sometimes the words i spell, spellcheck can't pick up on them, so maybe that is why he doesn't use spellcheck.



Hope this was of some help.
Unsub29
2009-12-01 07:00:52 UTC
I'm a dyslexic. It doesn't offend me if people correct me. Maybe it's b/c of my personality and b/c I'm used to it. I've learned coping mechanisms over the years, I suppose.



I do feel a little foolish if I feel like I'm doing everything wrong, which can happen. As I've gotten older, it happens less often and it takes more to get to me. I'm mildly dyslexic and have been able to adapt to some degree. I worry too much.



Dyslexia is frustrating. We are almost in our own little world and we don't want to be here. It's just easier sometimes. We are afraid. We think people judge us probably more harshly than they actually do. Dyslexics can suffer from low self esteem. (raising hand) It's hard being dyslexic. It has its positives too. How I'm looking at it - non-dyslexics move straight - dyslexics are just off to the side - we're almost straight but not quite - our perspective is different - we learn different.



Cut us some slack please - just a little. Be kinder and gentler to us b/c we need that - we really do.

I know that I'm very hard on myself. My husband says it to me a lot - reminding me. Actually - it seems less now but I'm getting better. I'm 36.



Unless you are a teacher and teaching a class - it is considered rude to correct someone else's errors. Etiquette - Post.



If there are numerous errors - might want to back off a little.

Or make sure that you point out the good things too. Balance.
anonymous
2009-12-01 09:05:55 UTC
First, I think you did the right thing. I think it's clear if someone transposes words versus mangling up the language in general.



Seems clear what's dyslexia, what's accidental, and so on, and what is ignorance, stupidity, and games. I don't correct the former, but I will the latter, or make a remark. Not always but often. I think one should be selective about the corrections. Maybe I'm off base, but I'm certainly not militant like others seem to be.



I think you made a wise choice......especially since the guy mentioned what his affliction was.
anonymous
2009-12-01 06:59:52 UTC
When you are dyslexic it is embarrassing to have mistakes pointed out, as is the case with anyone.



It is not wrong to correct a friend. That's what friends are for they help you out when you need help.



I would rather a friend tell me to correct a paper before I turn it in for a class assignment or a document for work. I think it is more embarrassing to be corrected by a teacher or boss than a friend.
anonymous
2014-06-15 08:47:55 UTC
Dyslexics can be very rude about the problems they have with spelling and stuff, especially when you're trying to be polite about it, and get shouted at instead.
anonymous
2009-12-01 07:31:19 UTC
Sure people hate it when you call them on their errors. They hate it to be caught as lazy and rude for not going the extra mile, but putting the rest of us through a complicated mess of misspelled words and gramatically incorrect sentences that often are barely understandable; and are often misunderstood. One "dyslexic" is simply a nut case, that I know of on here. She LIES about her employment, and problems. Asks long involved questions, makes comments (some rude) to most of the answers she gets that don't agree with her, and is generally just a B. But, that is OK, as long as we don't criticize her.

Well, folks, I'm not the leader of the spelling police but I support all those deputies out there. Good work, people. Make 'em squirm. Most of their questions are ridiculous to start with, and my little Princess doesn't even pick best answers, as most don't. They just like to whine. And finally, if you'll take the time to check back if they have their questions and answers open, you'll find that many are liars, and have more serious mental problems than dyslexia.

Wow, I needed to vent.
!@#$%
2009-12-01 08:32:40 UTC
Not ALL Dyslexia individual react like this. Some accept it others act your typical way, denial, hides it or become irritable. My sister and only sister has dyslexia and at first when diagnosed she kept it quite, but not for long. She open up to me as well as her partner and today her children. When she saw that it could affect her job that was when she became open about it. Today we live in different states and no matter what, she continues to contact me whenever she needs assistance with anything that requires writing. She needs assistance with numbers too..By far is she being pamper or baby WE are tooo old for that. My point is what ever it takes to help her and others too without making them feel dumb, embarrass etc. Sadly that some react differently about a condition that is not a disease. My sister and I are only a year apart and I am a grand parent.
Jenniflower
2009-12-01 07:49:36 UTC
dyslexics can't help misspelling words. However, if they said they were too lazy to use a spellcheck and their errors are so bad that they interfere with others understanding it, I think it's ok for you to fix it, but just don't be rude about it.
?
2009-12-01 06:57:26 UTC
They get upset because they know its wrong so they don't want everyone to be correcting them all the time just like in everyday life. It is a daily struggle for people like this everyday granted they need to become a little tougher and accept the fact they can just use spell check
.
2009-12-01 08:25:11 UTC
Many people do consider it rude, I know I do, and I am not dyslexic, but at the same time, I DO wish people would learn to take better time to check their spelling and grammar, Dyslexic or not.
anonymous
2016-03-01 01:52:29 UTC
Yes, it is. If you really wanted to know, instead of using five points actually asking the question, you could have just clicked the "Check Spelling" button right above the text box. That's just an idea for the future.
anonymous
2009-12-01 06:53:27 UTC
Mostly i think they get frustrated that they find it hard themselves, and so when someone else corrects them it makes them feel a bit bad.



I don't know if it's considered rude though. =| x
ImanS23
2009-12-01 06:56:46 UTC
I was asking myself the same thing the other day. I have a friend whom I was texting and he spells horrible. Its pretty obvious that he is dyslexic, but he never told me. So one day, while I was texting him I fixed his spelling and he replied, "Yeah i know i spell horrible, thanks for making me feel bad". After that I never corrected his spelling. I think they know they're misspelling but doesnt need someone to correct them on it constantly. I guess it makes them feel dumb? And I respect that. I never corrected him again. =]
Jacob
2009-12-01 07:33:37 UTC
I have dyslexia myself and I generally find it rude when someone corrects me if they are mean about it. Or say something like "your so dumb" but otherwise I don't find it rude at all.
Aporia
2009-12-01 06:55:25 UTC
It is rude to correct anyone about spelling, grammar or just about anything unless you are their parent or teacher and they are under 18. Polite people mind their own business and don't play Information Police.
?
2017-02-18 08:56:21 UTC
1
DevynC (girl.)
2009-12-01 08:17:12 UTC
rude


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