[GregK]

Dear Mods,
May we have access to an English dictionary for spell checking ............. please?

I like to: spell tyres with a y not an i; to spell analyse with an s not a z; etc, etc ........ with bucket loads of red squiggles .......

It shouldn't be a major problem ...... could it?????

 

[Mr Modifier]

Wow - not a lot of response to this Greg.

On refelction I think its beecoz not that meny peeple can actewally spel.

Innit.

If you carnt spel you probably doent have a problem with americananananisation.

I vote for proper English. What. Toodle pip!

 

[Ember]

I think you'll find that the spell-check in question is not a part of the forum software but rather is an intrinsic part of many current web browsers.

 

[Dopamine]

If you use Internet Explorer or IE based browsers (I use Avant) download ieSpell. It's a great little freeware spellchecker that gives you the options of using Canadian, UK or US dictionaries. It's accessed most easily from your right-click context menu. I've used it for many years with no problems.

http://www.iespell.com/download.php

 

[Robert V.]

So i gotta ask ya,doe's you folks in da U.K. only speak da Queens English

Robert V.

 

[Mr Modifier]

Good heavens no. We read it and occasionally write it too

 

[BeardogRacing]

And some of us in the colonies only speak the Queens English too. Now if we can just convince the Yank's that it is a Boot and a Bonnet!

 

[Dopamine]

Did someone mention boots and a bonnet?

 

[Jaak]

Like to see what's under the hood and check her trunk

Just kidding

 

[GregK]

QUOTE doe's you folks in da U.K. only speak da Queens English
Well ...... according to Micro$haft, we speak English,English unless, of course, you install the default windowz as American, English ..... an oxymoron if every I heard one ....

 

[Mr Modifier]

This may be apocryphal (spell check that microshaft!) but apparently there was once a conversation bertween an American and Noel Coward (now he definitely spoke queen's English

). It was about cars (automobiles). The American was insisting the parts were trunk, fender, hood etc. Noel was pointing out they are boot, bumper, bonnet etc. The American countered with "but Noel - we invented the automobile" (debatable as the Germans and French probably have a view on that) to which Mr Coward replied "that may very well be the case my dear chap but we invented the language".

So would Mr Microshaft and Mr Apple please take note and extend the courtesy that our mother tongue deserves (give it back and stop trying to break it

).

This has been a party political broadcast by the Home Counties Spellcheckers' Association.

 

[Ember]

Even the English the Queen speaks is not what it once was. Language is a changing, shifting, living thing. In some cases that is particularly unfortunate, especially given the current tendency toward lazy spelling. In yet other ways it's a wonderful thing as it adds so much to the rich flavours of language available.

I'm the first to admit I can be a bit of a stickler and pedant when it comes to written language. And there are more than a few fabulous old words that I use frequently because I'd hate to see them disappear. Use them or loose them as the saying goes.

But if a few wiggly red lines when you know the spelling is correct are the ailment, the problem is rather a tiny one, think you not?

 

[Mr Modifier]

I think you mean lose rather than loose

My red lines are straight - why do I get straight ones and yours are wiggly? I want wiggly ones!

It's not really a problem Ember. But for those who can't spell it is teaching them to spell incorrectly. If I get a letter or email or visit a webpage that has incorrect spelling; I notice and it screams lack of care at me. If I send out something and a misspelling sneaks through I am mortified. My old English teacher has a lot to answer for - I am scarred for life!

 

[Ember]

QUOTE (Mr Modifier @ 23 Sep 2012, 10:03) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I think you mean lose rather than loose

Yup. Was using smart (?) phone and didn't get a chance to re-read and edit before it posted. Love technology. I miss having my keyboard.

 

[mgmike]

My wife an English teacher will even correct the graffiti on the back of white vans.

 

[GregK]

.....

Mike - that has made my day, brilliant!

 

[not alone after all]

I just checked and have got the 'spell check' thing mentioned above. Have set it to English UK so here we go.
Tyres or tires.

 

[Mr Modifier]

OK - here we go

tyres tires

OH NO my UK English spell checker ACCEPTS BOTH.

Probably because if one is getting bored with something one tires of it.

Of course the US spell checker will reject tyres. But then you would expect that of a country that prefers to brew tea in tepid seawater.

(joke boys - joke)

Proof reading is the only way to ensure accuracy. There used to be a software product called Grammatik which read sentences, checked context and then rated them in terms of readability giving them a score on the wonderfully named "Gunnings Fog Index". Always makes me smile!