The Simplicity of Spelling Words Correctly - Essay Example

Linguistics 3B, Essay #3: The American Language – Spelling Matters The simpli of spelling words correctly, using appropriate grammar, and punctuating sentences properly is something that is often overstated because many people seem to struggle with even the basics. Language is a conduit through which we can express ourselves to other people, but also crucially it allows us to understand what another persons point of view is. While most people are able to communicate in an easy to understand and straightforward manner, the same cannot be said when it comes to the matter of spelling. Perhaps it is just simply laziness, or it could also show something deeper, such as an insight into someones personality. Spelling is generally learned or picked up during the early years of ones life, so to not have this skill suggests that either a screw is loose or it was just simply not picked up along the way. Up until the last couple of hundred years, spelling was not considered to be such a big issue, although this had more to do with the fact that very few people were educated. Simply being able to string a couple of words together were thought of as an achievement before the 1800s and 1900s. However, society has changed to the degree where now most people receive an education and thus they should be able to spell, or at least to an acceptable level. Making simple and basic spelling mistakes once or twice can be passed off as a typo, but any more than that and it could start to become a problem. In Spelling Matters, author Mikita Brottman (par. 1) explains the feelings and emotions experienced when hiring someone who makes simple spelling errors in her resume. After reading her argumentative article, it must be said that knowing the rules of English is important for any particular field. Understanding and knowing spelling and grammar rules is necessary for my major field of study, accounting and economics, because it helps to provide clarity, displays professionalism, and ensures uniformity and at all times. Being sure about basic spelling and grammar rules is important for someone studying accounting and economics because it helps to provide clarity. This is true for information disseminated within an organization and also to outsiders. In a high pressure cooker environment communication is often vital to the ongoing success of a business organization. Due to the nature of the field, it may not always be possible to get one-on-one face time with another worker or a general manager. This is where email and other tools can come in handy because sometimes just simply sending a co-worker a memo can get the message across. In the case of sending a memo, very little emphasis will likely be placed on spelling and grammar. However, other messages such as regular reports and updates will absolutely required correct usage of the English language because it will help to remove any misunderstandings. If it is not possible to meet someone in person to clear problems up, the other person will only have written communication to go on, and this makes it imperative that proper spelling and grammar is used at all times. Additionally, as Brottman (par. 10) mentions in her article, with online spell-checkers and the like "its not very difficult to avoid large and obvious errors of this kind." Even though these tools act as a last line of defense, there is little excuse to making major and glaring spelling and grammatical errors in the first place. Clarity is especially important in the field of accounting and economics because some business deals can reach hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars. This means that basic spelling and grammar is the minimum for such a task, not to mention the actual wording of the communication to seal the deal. Apart from providing clarity, correct spelling and grammar usage also shows professionalism in the workplace also. In the accounting and economics field almost everyone of some kind of importance will be dressed to a very high standard. The reason for this is obvious—it is to impress a fellow businessman and make him want to sign on for a business deal. The same concept can be applied to spelling and grammar. No one would turn up to an important business meeting wearing little more than rags and flip flops because it would give the wrong impression. The same can be said about spelling and grammar in that no one wants to appear to be stupid by making simple errors. Some people might brush this idea off, but the truth is that "regardless of what youre trying to say, even the slightest change of inflection can change the entire meaning" (Diamond 230). Professionalism is something that most ambitious people strive for, and to do so they have to put in the hard work to get there. The same rule can be applied to spelling and grammar in that it should be practiced over and over until it is perfect or almost like second-nature. Getting basic grammar and spelling under control is very important for an accountant or economist because it will show all important professionalism. Finally, in addition to providing clarity and showing professionalism, good spelling and grammar also helps to ensure uniformity. It would be difficult to understand what someone else is trying to say if there was not one uniform way to decipher it. Although the English language can appear to be confusing for some, there are some specific rules that must be followed, such as how to spell a word or organize a sentence. As Trubek (par. 7) quite clearly explains, "standardized spelling enables readers to understand writing, to aid communication, and ensure clarity." There is almost no reason not to spell words correctly and use proper grammar, except for perhaps simple laziness. This is not a trait that is desired by most employers, so doing so is almost like shooting oneself in the foot. English language rules are designed to make communication easier because everyone can read off the same hymn sheet. Uniformity is the key to clear and concise communication because there can be little argument against it. In conclusion, although language and its usage will always change and adapt as culture move on, there are some basics that must always be adhered to. Even so, "what people do with written language is that they adapt it to meet their needs (Muther 227). Change in language must be embraced, such as text-speak, to keep language relevant, yet we must also not get away from the methods that made the English language so useful in the first place. Moreover, following basic spelling and grammar guidelines just develops good habits, and this can show in other areas of life as well. Brottman (par. 2) speaks for many when she shares of her frustration with the little attention that is paid toward proper language use nowadays. Yet I feel that the way to improve spelling and grammar is not by pulling people up on it but showing them the benefits and usefulness, such as fewer misunderstandings, that correct language usage gives. For my field of study, accounting and economics, proper spelling and grammar is imperative due to the nature of the industry. With high standards expecting in terms of appearance and knowledge, showing basic language skills is almost a given. Spelling and grammar rules are important in my field of study because they give clarity, show professionalism, and guarantee uniformity always. Works Cited Brottman, Mikita. Spelling Matters. The Chronicle Review. 15 Jan. 2012. Web. 28 Feb. 2014. Diamond, Shayna. Words Are What We Make of Them. The American Language Today: How Is It Changing? 5 Feb. 2012: 229-231. Web. 28 Feb. 2014. Muther, Christopher. We Get the Point! The American Language Today: How Is It Changing? 26 Apr. 2012: 224-227. Web. 28 Feb. 2014. Trubek, Anne. Use Your Own Words. Wired Magazine. 31 Jan. 2012. Web. 28 Feb. 2014. Read More