Which characteristic is true of phonetic spellers?

Phonetic spellers are defined by their approach to spelling, which involves encoding words based on their sounds rather than adhering to standardized spelling conventions. This means that when phonetic spellers encounter a word, they break it down into its phonemes, or sounds, and attempt to represent those sounds with letters. For example, a phonetic speller might write "k8" to represent the word "eight."

This approach reflects a developmental stage in spelling as children learn the relationship between letters and sounds, showing an understanding of phonetic principles even if their spellings are not always conventionally correct. As they progress, they will gradually learn more about the complexities of English spelling rules and conventions. Therefore, spelling words according to how they sound is a defining characteristic of phonetic spellers.