Hi to all! First, I am new here and I like this forum much, but reading through I have noticed.. well.. that not all ppl are sure how do they spell one tough but important word
embouchure ;
being only a beginner in French I myself often need reference
Please don`t be offended... and do not offend French! It`s beautiful...

k_f

Thanks! Also as a reference, "people" is spelled p-e-o-p-l-e.
Just joking.

I personally am not offended although I sometimes think that the French need offending -just kidding

Actually, I`m appalled at some of the spelling that passes on the internet. Usually it is in the way of Homonym errors. Something like: I went two the store too by to shoes. My sister came Two!
~Bilbo

I will be the first to admit that I am notorious for this. My spelling sucks! It would be nice if there was a spell checker on this site.

A lot of times the person is labeled as being stupid because of this. But, I have known some really intelligent people who could not spell for the life of them. Further more their grammar wasn`t all that great either. So it is unfair to judge people based on this.

I know that I always have to take a double check to see if I spelled embouchure correctly. That one it tricky.

kleine_flutistin: Is English your first language? It sounds like you may be multi-lingual. What is your primary language?

Bilbo: I agree with your French joke. I also agree that spelling on the net is terrible. I would like to (charitably) think that it is a product of a quick-write-what-you-think situation that doesn`t emphasize the editing process.

I do hope that people realize that while typo and spelling errors do occur, they still provide for a perceived reflection of decreased intelligence/ability. I cringe when I look back at a post of mine that contains a typo/spelling/grammatical error (it has occurred!).

If you use FireFox you can install Spellbound extension which will allow you to spell check your posts. http://spellbound.sourceforge.net/

Kara wrote:
"A lot of times the person is labeled as being stupid because of this. But, I have known some really intelligent people who could not spell for the life of them. Further more their grammar wasn`t all that great either.

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Snot replies:

I agree. Much like semantics, spelling errors--unless the subject happens to be spelling--are usually capitalized on by people with no relevant point to make, and it demonstrates the self-appointed editor`s desperation or lack of comprehension more than the proposed stupidity of the misspeller.

"Truth is relutive."

"That`s not how `relative` is spelled."

My biggest complaint about this forum (this might be just an OS/browser/site compatibility issue) is that text in the input window doesn`t wrap. It makes it difficult to proofread any but the shortest messages.

Actually snot, There are few problems with your theory.

1)Mistakes in spelling and/or grammar can cause serious difficulties in the comprehension of the message because it can be ambiguous. A message such as, "Turn right at the old church." can mean, Turn to the right at the old church OR "Turn as soon as you get to the old church." -left or right is undefined.

2)As performing musicians, we are somewhat defined by our impression on others. This will include our speech, spelling, grammar, manners, appearance, our performance abilities and any other means with which we can be judged.

As a side note (And not to change the subject), I think that this is why some can`t quite understand the Galway forum. I think that forum is censored for content in that negative posts or posts which can present liable issues against the forum moderator or Galway are summarily removed. Bad manners aren`t tolerated there. As an example of a negative post: It would be a rare day if one found a post originated by Galway criticizing another professional flutist. He simply won`t be found doing this as it`s not professional. Consequently, it is not a place for truely free speech.

On the other hand, I have seen Galway misspell words but this may be because of bad typing skills.
~Bilbo

Those aren`t contrary to my "theory". I didn`t say spelling wasn`t important. My point is that in most conversations and debates (those that aren`t specifically ABOUT spelling), people pounce on spelling errors for the sake of their own ego or to impugn the intelligence of a person whose position they can`t otherwise defeat. Besides that, it`s just rude.

Yes snotjello, we`ve certainly seen that happen here, like grasping at the last possible straw to try to win ; losing the logic battle but throwing a final punch about spelling.

I think we all pretty much agree that presenting with good overal mechanics (spelling, grammar, and general form) is a preferable way to communicate. I think we all also realize that typos happen, as this is thought of as a more casual communication genre than a formal letter or an essay for grade.

I, too, have looked back and found that I posted using "there" instead of "their", or "are" instead of "our", completely out of haste rather than ignorance. EXTREMELY embarrasing to me!

I do wish that I could access the other posts while I`m typing mine, so that I could reference a spelling, or the name of a poster, or a number of other things. I know I can use my back button, but it would be better if the reply message I am typing was in a box at the bottom of the thread. Probably just me.

Piko - Thanks for the Firefox Spellbound link.

If I`m not paying attention, I tend to write "should of" instead of "should have" or "should`ve".

snotjello, you are talking about defeating someone by means of "pouncing on his/her spelling errors"... Not as rude as that, but anyway spelling errors do always spoil my first impression of a person. By the way, they are easily distinguishable from typing errors, which are harmless, in my opinion.

kippsix, you are right, english isn`t my native language. (What makes the spelling problem harder for me )

k_f

I think that it is a really shallow person who can not look beyond a couple of spelling errors. This isn`t English class.

snotj makes agood point about pouncing on a person for spelling errors. IT`s distracting to the `discussion`. I prefer to overlook the spelling errors and just pounce on their logic and reasoning errors with claws extended.