Is there an argument for changing the spelling of the most commonly incorrectly spelt words?

Question

So that the new spelling is the way that most people spell them?

Answer 1

Some people, even some academics, try to make this argument. I think it's wrong for several reasons. First, it seeks to solve the wrong problem ; over the last thirty years or so, there has been a move in English language teaching away from spelling and grammar, with the result that current generations have far less understanding of the nuts and bolts of the language they use. So the problem is not so much that many people are incapable of understanding and using spelling conventions (and grammar conventions), but that they have not been taught them. Teaching the conventions will solve the problem in the right way. After all, if some people didn't understand what each colour of traffic signal meant, you wouldn't make an argument that people should interpret red/amber/green according to their own preferences rather than a standard set of meanings. Learning proper spellings and grammar is by no means an onerous task. Our parents and grandparents did it rather well.

The second argument against this notion is that in many instances, incorrect spellings are also the correct spellings of 'nearby' words. For example, "their" is sometimes incorrectly spelled as "there" or even "they're". So you can end up with some real confusion if a mis-spelled word happens to be in a context where it completely changes the meaning of a sentence. And should we really reduce ourselves to the lowest common denominator of those who think that "I should have" is written  "I should of" and so on.

All that's required is a little effort, and that includes on the part of teachers as well as those who are taught.  Our English language is a fine treasure ; it should not be left to decay out of ignorance and sloppiness.

Answer 2

Standard English is Standard English and for the time being there is no other alternative.

Answer 3

All the arguments suppose that there is, in fact, such a thing as correct spelling.  Wrong.

Spellings (and grammar) are governed by usage and guides to that usage such as the OED or Fowler's merely document the usage current at the time of compiling that edition.  However, unless one is determined to be obtuse, it's polite to conform to the current accepted usages.

All language evolves and spelling is an aspect of language that also undergoes changes, although very slowly for the most part.  to dismiss all guidance is unwise because most readers will expect the written word to conform to current usage and will struggle to read poorly spelled words fluently eg

If this sentens yoosd wurds that wer spelt wrongly, the reeda wud hav to breefly studdee eech wurd wen normullee thay wud rede the text farely kwikly.

Answer 4

Dumbing yourself down to what isn't correct? For most of the time English was around, everything was done phonetically. It's only 'correct' because some time ago a pretentious man sat down and decided to pick which spellings he liked best. Evolution of language is common, and natural. Words get created all the time from misspellings or oral miscommunication. I say just go with the flow.  

Answer 5

No.  Dumbing ourselves down to accept what is most convenient rather than what is correct sets a horrible example for learning and work ethic.

Answer 6

Spelt????

How about spelled.  

Maybe people should learn how to spell instead.

Answer 7

There's a reason that there's a right and wrong way to spell things.  If we all started spelling things however we wanted, we'd end up with different versions of the same language and it would be even harder to communicate than it is right now.  And attempting to officially change the spelling of a word is a much larger undertaking than I think you realize.