More than 250 spellers, ages 9-14, will compete in the 78th Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee is June 1-2 in Washington, D.C.

May 31, 2005

Here's a venue where spellcheck won't work

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Few adults today would be able to compete in a spelling bee without using spellcheck on their computers, says a Purdue University language expert.

"Americans' spelling skills are not a priority as they once were," says Margie Berns, professor of English. "A person's spelling skills are likely to decline if he or she doesn't write or read and learn new words. At the same time, what some will call sloppy, lazy spelling is really language that is evolving. Change is what keeps a language alive."

Languages, including English, change for many reasons. One occurs when non-native speakers of the language become more prevalent in a community resulting in a fusion of languages that can influence spelling. Berns says the increase in Spanish-speaking people in America is likely to have such an effect.

Technology also has influenced English with new terms, spellings and concepts, she says.

"Users strive for efficiency and simplicity, and these are changes that we can expect over time," says Berns, who also is director of Purdue's English as a Second Language Program.

"However, good spelling is at the foundation of our written communication and language etiquette," she says. "Correct spelling avoids word ambiguity, which could result in misunderstanding. Spelling is the mark of an educated person. We still watch for spelling in résumés and cover letters."

Adults can become better spellers by reading poetry, completing crossword puzzles and brainteasers, and playing board games such as Scrabble, Berns says.

More than 250 spellers, ages 9-14, will compete in the 78th Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee is June 1-2 in Washington D.C.

CONTACT: Berns, (765) 494-3769, mberns@cla.purdue.edu

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