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I get about 2-3 messages every month about typos in the things I write. While well-meaning, most have a massive dose of vitriol
YOU BROKE THE WORD RULES! YOU MUST BE TOLD SO THAT YOU NEVER DO THIS AGAIN!
So here’s a thread on being proud to be dyslexic
And how not to be a dick
YOU BROKE THE WORD RULES! YOU MUST BE TOLD SO THAT YOU NEVER DO THIS AGAIN!
So here’s a thread on being proud to be dyslexic
And how not to be a dick
As a dyslexic person, I’m used to being told what I can’t do. Spelling, remembering rules, remembering where I left my keys, or phone numbers...
Being told I've done something wrong is not news to me (though thank you for the reminder), it is the status quo
Being told I've done something wrong is not news to me (though thank you for the reminder), it is the status quo
But you know what? I don’t care.
It's taken me a long time to not care, so here's a little bit about why that is before we get into how not to be an accidental bellend
It's taken me a long time to not care, so here's a little bit about why that is before we get into how not to be an accidental bellend
Contrary to popular opinion it is very possible to write well as a dyslexic person, in fact, it might actually make you better at it
A good story involves showing patterns and connections between things. And you know who’s great at pattern spotting?! That’s right, dyslexic ppl
A good story involves showing patterns and connections between things. And you know who’s great at pattern spotting?! That’s right, dyslexic ppl
So you’ve got a good story, how are you going to explain it in a clear compelling way? Cue dyslexic superpower #2 - breaking complex things down into simple parts. Dyslexic folks are more likely to use metaphors, similes & analogies, making stories more compelling and digestible
But low long to make it? More words = better rite?
Nope. The average time someone will spend reading a medium post is 7 minutes. SEVEN MINUTES. You know who gets this? READING AVOIDING DYSLEXIC SUPERHUMANS that’s who! https://medium.com/data-lab/the-optimal-post-is-7-minutes-74b9f41509b#:~:text=We%20spend%20a%20lot%20of,found%20the%20answer%3A%207%20minutes
Nope. The average time someone will spend reading a medium post is 7 minutes. SEVEN MINUTES. You know who gets this? READING AVOIDING DYSLEXIC SUPERHUMANS that’s who! https://medium.com/data-lab/the-optimal-post-is-7-minutes-74b9f41509b#:~:text=We%20spend%20a%20lot%20of,found%20the%20answer%3A%207%20minutes
Yes but Lou, spelling is important! If you can’t read something it doesn’t matter how good it is!
Yes, spelling is important. Which is why I had two editors when I wrote a book (and apologised to them both A LOT)
But let’s unpack what we mean by ‘spelling’ shall we?
Yes, spelling is important. Which is why I had two editors when I wrote a book (and apologised to them both A LOT)
But let’s unpack what we mean by ‘spelling’ shall we?
Unlike many other languages, English doesn’t have a formal ‘approval’ process for words (or spelling).
The OED is as close as it gets, but it’s not the same as the Académie Française or the Council for German Orthography https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_language_regulators
The OED is as close as it gets, but it’s not the same as the Académie Française or the Council for German Orthography https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_language_regulators
Back before spellcheck or autocorrect, there were infinite variations in spelling.
English has become formalised, but don’t be fooled, it is still constantly evolving, and no one, not your teacher, spellcheck and especially not internet pedants get to tell you how to use it
English has become formalised, but don’t be fooled, it is still constantly evolving, and no one, not your teacher, spellcheck and especially not internet pedants get to tell you how to use it
Most people only read the first and last few characters of a word to derive its meaning, but almost everyone struggles to read long, complex sentences or stories with a lack of compelling narrative
So think HARD about telling dyslexic kids that they will struggle to write well, because we’ve automated our way out of most spelling issues, but as far as I know, there’s no easy fix for bad writing...And you might just be stopping the next Agatha Christie or F. Scott Fitzgerald
And thank you for the kind thought, the private DM or email you sent to save me the ‘embarrassment’ of a typo but please don’t. I refuse to be embarrassed.
Shocking as it may be, as long as you can read it, I really don't care
Shocking as it may be, as long as you can read it, I really don't care
If you (or someone you care about) is dyslexic, I'd recommend reading this book. It's not very long I promise, and everyone deserves to hear good things about themselves once in a while https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dyslexic-Advantage-Unlocking-Hidden-Potential/dp/1848506392/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=52177759614&dchild=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAvbiBBhD-ARIsAGM48bz3AwoaaUDaV7EY6KvxNsOSdeAmOmQdh8Pk7h8BGVULjYWL1JUnT-IaAk3kEALw_wcB&hvadid=259160322861&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9046004&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=1840987409885622431&hvtargid=kwd-301016414631&hydadcr=11889_1766837&keywords=the+dyslexic+advantage&qid=1613652744&sr=8-1&tag=googhydr-21
