“Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer are in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a ttoal mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.”
Interesting isn’t it? Does anyone know the research to which this quote refers?
Garry Platt
3 Responses
Big picture, little picture.
Garry,
I’m not familiar with the research you refer to but I do remember reading something relating to this a few years ago. The article suggested that it was more an ability driven by personality than a general ability of the human mind. The conclusion was that the ability of someone to do as you describe was linked to “big picture/little picture” thinking. People who prefer the bigger picture (conceptual thinkers) would find it relatively easy, those who prefer more detail would find it less easy. It would be interesting to know how many readers found it easy to read your posting. I had no difficulty at all once I’d scanned the first two or three words, but then again I’m very comfortable with concepts.
The other point made in the article was that is was not related to words but to sentences, and the need for us to make sense of something (written or illustrated). The suggestion was that a sentence would provide some context and enable the reader to make some sense out of what was written. People would find it more difficult to unscramble one or two words because of the lack of context to help them. Rather like me trying to read something written in German, when I only know a few words. I can’t read it but I can usually get the gist of what it’s saying.
Interesting it certainly is. If you find out more information I’d love to hear about it.
Regards,
John
Some Available Research
Garry,
The research by Cambridge University has focused on Text Recognition and on Speech Recognition, as applicable particularly to development of computer programs in those areas. Check out: – Cambridge University Text Recognition – in Google.
The following site, http://www.bic.mni.mcgill.ca/~mallar/CS-644B/text.html gives a short and fairly straightforward overview on the 6 methods humans use in applying Context to Text Recognition:
1) Graphilogical,
2) Phonological,
3) Statistical,
4) Syntactic,
5) Semantic,
6) Pragmatic.
A more scientific approach is Bayes Decision Theory.
Hope that gets you farther along on an interesting topic.
Ciao.
Plain English
There was reference to this last week in an email I received from Plain English campaign, you may find it on their website http://www.plainenglish.co.uk.
Cheers, Fiona