Cutting Mudcatters some slack?…Yes……If you can understand what someone one is saying and can recognise their intelligence, they are obviously communicating perfectly well. Pointing out that their method of communication, is not standard, will only inhibit them from expressing themselves here. This has happened, and it is our loss.

It is generally accepted that written musical notation is one tool that musicians use. When those musicians write in this notation, there will develop their own short-cuts and style of writing it down. Other musicians will be able to understand enough of this to produce the music. Heaven help us if all the music sounded the same.

There is a difference when dealing with and teaching children, I accept

Should not more emphasis be placed on reading than writing?

When you can read, you can take all the written knowledge in and the process is stimulating, at the time you are doing it.

Writing is about getting your thoughts about that knowledge out. The process of writing, is not stimulating, in itself and finding the correct spelling / grammar, is largely a chore. It slows and inhibits the primary function, which is communication.

When we talk, we recognise and welcome our different styles of speech, even though it is sometimes hard work. We do not expect a standard way of speaking. Why should we expect a standard way of writing and spelling?