Unlocking Spelling’s Power Through a Global Dictation Challenge
A unique event recently brought together entrepreneurs and dictation enthusiasts to explore the often-overlooked power of spelling. The inaugural “Dictation of the Eco,” held as part of a growing international movement championed by author and screenwriter Rachid Santaki, known as “Mr. Dictation,” challenged participants to grapple with the sometimes-forgotten nuances of the written word.
The aim wasn’t simply to test their orthographic prowess but rather to spark a deeper conversation about its significance in today’s world. “Spelling is a real issue today. Because, even for a prompt on ChatGPT you have to know how to write the words correctly,” Santaki emphasized. He went on to highlight that “26% of workers have already had an anxious time at work because of spelling”—underscoring the real-world consequences of poor spelling skills.
Held in collaboration with a consortium of organizations including ISCOM, the CCI Nice Côte d’Azur, Nice Airports, Nice Start(s)up, and the Energia collective, the event centered on a thought-provoking prompt crafted by a group of local experts: “What is the ideal company?”
Rather than offering a straightforward definition, the text presented a nuanced portrait of an ideal company as “that which supports its employees in their uniqueness and their aspirations” and described it engaging in concrete actions such as “planting chrysanthemums, rhododendrons and fights against the invasion of rhodophyceae in the Mediterranean.” This layered approach aimed to encourage participants to engage critically with the concept and reflect on the values they deem essential for a truly exceptional organization.
The organizers designed the dictation to be challenging, placing high value on grammatical accuracy and attention to detail. While there were no spelling errors among the participants, Santaki expressed satisfaction with the overall results, describing the experience as “very satisfying.” The event underlined the importance of effectively communicating thoughts and ideas, emphasizing that a strong grasp of spelling is a fundamental aspect of clear and confident expression
What inspired Rachid Santaki to create the “Dictation of the Eco” challenge?
## Unveiling the Power of Spelling: An Interview with Rachid Santaki
**Interviewer:** Welcome to the show, Mr. Santaki. Your recent “Dictation of the Eco” event has sparked quite a bit of interest. Can you tell us a little bit about what inspired you to create this unique challenge?
**Rachid Santaki (“Mr. Dictation”):** Thank you for having me. You see, in our fast-paced digital world, the art of spelling seems to be fading. Autocorrect and predictive text have become crutches, and the beauty and precision of the written word are often overlooked. I believe that spelling is more than just getting words right; it’s about clarity, communication, and ultimately, respecting language. The “Dictation of the Eco” aims to reawaken this appreciation for spelling, not just amongst academics and linguists, but among entrepreneurs, artists, and everyday people.
**Interviewer:** It’s certainly a fascinating idea. What was the experience like for the participants?
**Rachid Santaki:** It was truly inspiring! People from all walks of life came together, eager to challenge themselves and connect over their love for language. There was a palpable sense of community and eagerness to learn. Seeing their faces light up when they successfully deciphered complex words was incredibly rewarding.
**Interviewer:** You’ve been a vocal advocate for the importance of spelling. What message do you hope to convey through this global movement?
**Rachid Santaki:** My hope is simple: to remind the world that spelling matters. It’s a fundamental building block of communication, and it’s worth cherishing. In a world where information flows rapidly, accuracy and clarity are more important than ever.
