Dear WordPress users: have you noticed how WordPress spell-check not only goes after grammar errors, but also suggests other words as an alternative to the ones you use?
The thing is, I’m not sure it’s because they fit better, but because they’re just less complex. Maybe I’m just being paranoid, but you know what they say: just because if you’re paranoid, it doesn’t mean they’re not really after you 🙂 It brings to mind Orwell’s Newspeak, “the only language in the world whose vocabulary gets smaller every year”.
Since my native language has a Latin basis I’m already more prone to use complicated words, reading a lot of classics also helps… but why should that be a problem? I like rich a rich vocabulary and even the occasional old-fashion expression.
Some examples:
- Apparent to clear, plain
- Ultimate to final, greatest
- Component to part
Do you have the same experience?
The Sleepless Reader 
6 comments
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October 15, 2010 at 6:07 pm
Steph
I always type my posts up in Microsoft Word before I post them, so I had no idea that WordPress was such a hardass when it came to prose! I also like big words, but I also try to use the word that I feel best captures what I’m trying to express. Not all synonyms are created equal!
October 18, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Alex
“Not all synonyms are created equal” – so true! The most recent one: selection to choice :S
October 15, 2010 at 9:32 pm
Jackie (Farm Lane Books)
I haven’t come across the wordpress spell check either – perhaps this is because I’m self hosted? Encouraging people to use simpler words does sound a bit strange – I’m sure there must be a way to turn it off 😉
October 16, 2010 at 7:28 pm
smcgamer
Or just ignore it.
October 18, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Alex
That’s what I’ve been doing… O well! I still need the spell check after all.
October 18, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Alex
I think it’s an option within WordPress, not a default application. The thing is, although I write in word first I still make a lot of changes just before publishing, so the spell-check does come in hand. I’ll just keep it and continue to be fascinated by their recommendations.