English has a wealth of modified spellings that are frequently found in dialogues in novels, the purpose being to give a more realistic presentation of speech. This article surveys this use of 'eye dialect', examining the way that letters are omitted, added and changed. The dangers and the advantages of eye dialect are considered, and various patterns and conventions are pin-pointed. The last sections of the article look at other areas where modified spellings occur: graffiti, signs, advertisements and occasional everyday usage.