We tried a few combinations -- and may try some yet. If it was further right it threw off the balance of the layout. If it was up at the top it drew too much attention to itself. We tried messing with the z-index on hover too, but that looked funky.
Your sarcasm is noted, but misplaced. I came in first in the school spelling bee every year throughout my childhood (until 8th grade, where I came in second), without drilling for it, competing with kids who did drill for it, so my disclaimer is just being realistic.
It's not a particularly important talent, since as I said, orthography is far from the most important part of learning a language; if it were, I might feel embarrassed about bringing it up.
But in context, it's important to point out that my experience with learning scripts probably doesn't generalize that well, and normal people's experience will be an order of magnitude worse. If you have a way I could have explained that without either sounding conceited (to you) or simply not mentioning my experience at all, I'd like to hear it.
