Misspellings

Misspellings are incorrect spellings of words that diverge from the standard orthography of a language. They occur when speakers or writers substitute, omit, or reorder letters, or fail to apply established spelling patterns.

Causes include typographical errors, phonetic spellings influenced by pronunciation, interference from dialects or other languages, and cognitive slips during typing or writing. Auto-correct and word prediction can both prevent and produce misspellings. In education and literacy, developmental factors such as learning the regularities of a language or conditions like dyslexia can contribute.

Common misspelling types include transpositions (watch vs watsh), omissions (accommodate vs acomodate), substitutions (definately instead of definitely), and insertions. Phonetic spellings arise when sounds are mapped directly to letters (gr8 for great).

Misspellings affect readability, credibility, and information quality. They are addressed through proofreading, spell-check tools, dictionaries, and instruction in orthography. In language standardization, English lacks a central academy; spelling norms developed through printing, dictionaries, and usage, with notable milestones including Samuel Johnson's dictionary (1755) and Noah Webster's speller (19th century).

Modern digital communication amplifies misspellings due to fast typing, auto-complete, and social media norms. Some misspellings become widespread colloquialisms or entry points for new words or slang, though many remain marked as errors in formal contexts.

See also: orthography, spelling reform, typography, lexicography.