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Are spell checkers and text messaging harming people's spelling?

• Yes. We are seeing the death of the English language.
• Yes. But it doesn't matter as long as we understand each other.
• I don't think so. But even if it did, critics are living in the past and need to move forward.
• No. It hasn't made any difference to literacy skills.

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SYDNEYSIDERS and Melburnians have been left red-faced after a survey showed more than two-thirds of them have trouble spelling the word embarrass.

The Galaxy survey asked 400 people aged over 16 years to spell eight commonly misspelled words.

About 70 per cent couldn't spell accommodation, one in two people spelled accessory wrong and a quarter had trouble with February.

Other tricky words included guarantee, opportunity, eighth and receipt.

The survey found women were better spellers than men.

Only seven per cent of participants in Sydney and Melbourne received 100 per cent.

The survey found people aged 25 to 34 have some homework to do, ranking among the worst spellers.

Children's author Deborah Abela said spell check and text message abbreviations were harming people's spelling skills.

"It can impact on how people perceive general intelligence and can even affect one's ability to get and keep a job," she said.

Westpac commissioned the survey and sponsors the NSW Premier's Spelling Bee for primary school pupils which begins in July.\