The spelling of the word "de collating" is based on its pronunciation. It is pronounced as /diːkəˈleɪtɪŋ/. The first syllable is pronounced with a long "e" sound followed by a short "o" sound. The second syllable is pronounced with the emphasis on the "la" and a short "i" sound. The final syllable is pronounced with a long "a" sound and a soft "ng" sound. The word refers to the act of unbinding or separating items that have been collated.