Local dialects and the English language

I'm a stickler for correct spellings. That is not to say that I intentionally look out for spelling errors on every printed piece of paper. It just happens that way. 

Now, the question I have is: do spellings really matter, especially when the message is clearly understood? I'm referring to spellings in the English language here.

Perhaps not. Considering the multilingual nature of many Sub-Saharan African countries (and perhaps of other countries of the world as well), in my opinion it would be difficult for every one of us whose first language isn't English to get all spellings correct, more so if one picked up the English language later in life. Granted, some spellings may change the meaning of a word entirely, but others may not.

In some instances, one's own local dialect (Uganda has over 40 local dialects) may dictate how they spell a word. That is because many of us tend to write, pronounce, or spell certain words the way we see or pronounce them in our own local languages. In other instances, we tend to alter the positions of certain letters in a word, often by mistake. At the end of the day if the message has been driven across, maybe that is what should count. Unless it is newsprint, a publication or an English language exam, of course.

Here are a few 'misspellings' to chew on.

It's clear which team he roots for... which happens to be the one I root for as well.

That may translation to hot cycle park... but you know exactly what is being referred to, don't you?

Land for sale - that's the meaning.

Great customer service and business awareness. This note was pinned on the wall of a barbershop (salon). The word 'saloon' has been used for 'salon'. Anyway, take the message wholesomely. Could have been a slip of the mind or fingers, or simply a case of 'lost in translation'. Heck, Mary and Merry sound alike. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you, too!