By Polly Tickle
In a revolutionary twist that’s setting the internet abuzz, the venerable Scripps National Spelling Bee has announced the latest addition to its official dictionary: emojis. That’s right, the traditional battlefield of verbal virtuosos will now see competitors spelling out not just formidable words like ‘floccinaucinihilipilification’, but also tackling the nuanced art of emoji depiction.
“The addition of emojis as valid entries in the spelling bee is a nod to the evolving nature of language and communication,” stated J. Michael Durnil, the newly appointed executive director of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. “We believe this will make the competition more relatable and engaging for the digital-native generation. Plus, it’s about time these kids learned to spell 🍆 and 🐍 correctly,” he added, sparking laughter and a flurry of tweets.
This bold move comes after several years of increasingly complex words failing to determine a single winner, leading to multiple ties. “If they can spell ‘schadenfreude’ and ‘antidisestablishmentarianism’, they can handle a few smileys and hearts,” argued Durnil. The decision, however, has not been without its critics. Long-time language purists argue that emojis have no place in a competition historically rooted in orthographic challenges.
In response to concerns, the Bee has laid out specific rules: participants must describe the emoji in meticulous detail, including color, design, and emotional connotation, before spelling it out. For example, the heart emoji is not merely a ‘heart’ but a ‘small, red, symmetrical heart, representing love or affection, often used in text messages to convey warmth and caring.’
The finals, scheduled for late May, will feature a special “Emoji Round” where contestants will be given a description of an emoji and asked to spell it out, testing not only their spelling skills but also their knowledge of digital iconography.
“We’re just keeping up with the times,” concluded Durnil, amidst mixed reactions from the crowd. Whether this change spells success or disaster remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: this year’s Spelling Bee is must-see TV. Tune in to see if the finalists will face off over ‘face with tears of joy’ or stumble through ‘pile of poo.’