Yes!! This is the main point. We associate mis-spelllings with illiteracy now, but it just wasn't an issue until the 19th century. The idea of a standardized spelling didn't really take over until then. I have done a bit of transcription of old newspapers and in the early 1800's the spelling varied quite a bit with no apologies. Around mid-century you start to find people actually commenting in the newspapers on the "correct" way to spell something.DavidWW wrote:While (il)literacy most probably did play a part, even for those who were literate I believe that the great majority weren't particularly concerned about the spelling.
Regards,
Sarah