Apparently this was the word that made David Tidmarsh a champion.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5122188/?GT1=3584Bingley
This doesn't look like a real big deal to me, but can anybody tell me the meaning of serpiginous (from the same news piece)?
a wound or open sore which heals over in one place while continuing to advance in another. A serpiginous ulcer seems to be the most common use that I've heard.
EDIT: I guess it could be used in a non-medical context - serpiginous ivy, which continues to grow along its host, even as you cut it back
I heard the winner attempt to spell this word in a radio broadcast. Without the video, to provide cues, it struck me that David was undergoing respiratory arrest. Is this a form of child abuse?
>Is this a form of child abuse?
I think so. I saw a clip of one girl who would give a letter, cover her mouth with both trembling hands, pause and look frantically all around the room (just the eyes are showing) as though seeking an escape route, lower her hands just long enough to give another letter, cover her mouth...
The lovely AnnaS and I are planning on seeing the movie Spellbound. It goes behind the scenes and everthang.
I'm certainly against forcing kids to compete for this kind of thing. If they really want to, fine, but what kid would willingly put him/herself through something which makes you physically ill?
The 2002 documentary film "Spellbound" (not to be confused with the Hitchcockian thriller) follows eight competitors in the Scripps-Howard national competition and reveals a great deal about the impact which this pursuit has on their young lives. Director Jeffrey Blitz does not beat anyone over the head with his conclusions. Yours may be like mine: that it is not a lot different from what JonBenet Ramsey's parents were doing to her before her death. The film is available on DVD.
The lovely AnnaS and I were recently wondering if other, more phonetically spelled languages supported spelling bees?
it struck me that David was undergoing respiratory arrest.
He didn't look so hot either. Actually, in an earlier round, a contestant was so overcome, he actually fainted on stage. Before any of the onlookers could rush to his aid, he got back to his feet, headed straight for the microphone, and SPELLED HIS WORD CORRECTLY before going to have a bit of a sit down. Incredible performance under pressure.
EDIT: I see that it made mention of Akshay Buddiga (the fainter) in the article Bingley linked to, now that I've read it. I also loved this paragraph:
When spellers heard the dreaded ding of the bell for a misspelling, they were escorted off stage to a comfort room of snacks and sodas — and a dictionary, just in case they wanted to review what went wrong.
What good is a dictionary going to do them? They obviously don't know how to spell the word they lost on! ;)
When professional American football teams travel to Denver to play the Broncos in Mile High Stadium, the trainers make available bottles of oxygen so that, after exertion at high altitude, a player can drink deeply from an O2-rich mask. Perhaps something similar ought be provided by Scripps-Howard.
Grrrr. Sorry if this is stepping on any toes but I really, really, hate it when parents put their kiddies through such torture. If a kid is so nervous that he faints, they should not make him go through it.
There is NO benefit; no vital lesson learned (other than your parents are anal control freaks who value trophies over your happiness.)
I know it is important that kids get a good education and that they participate in various activities involving competition since that is preparing them for life. But, we should always keep in mind that they are children, and let them benefit, and enjoy, from that period in their life because it is over all too quickly. Let them play.
If I remember correctly, in France there are "dictée" competitions at the national level, where orthography skills are tested in writing.
I can see French supporting the concept of spelling bee, since it is no better than English at having spelling match pronunciation. Well, maybe not quite so bad; if you know how to spell it, pronunciation is relatively easy (for a native French speaker), but going the other way it's as bad as English.
I'd offer an unconditional recommendation for the film ~ I agree with Padre Esteban that the director doesn't force any conclusions, but I saw some almost *painful* social consequences affected by such narrow focus at that age...
Do rent it!
we should always keep in mind that they are children, and let them benefit, and enjoy, from that period in their life because it is over all too quickly. Let them play.
I'm with BelM