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English language could use an update
English language could use an update
Date published: 7/29/2010 English language could use an update In his July 21 letter ["Spellings have meanings"], Steve Dunham asks: If "through" and "threw" were both spelled "thru," it would simplify our spelling yet make reading more difficult. Does the fact that they have the same sound make listening more difficult? We use context to sort them in speech. Why wouldn't context work in reading? The alphabet and spelling evolved to make written communication easier. That is their function. It is on that basis that they should be judged. The alphabet is effective, though for English it could omit duplications (c/k, kw/qu, etc.), and it would be better with a few more symbols. Our spelling is not efficient. It has too many options for a given phoneme (word sound), at least 13 for the long e (e, ee, ea, e-e, ie, ei, i-e, ey, ay, eo, i, is, ir). Young children learning to read and write and trying to cope with this kind of nonsense are really challenged. Many master the problem, though they take up to two years more than do children in 12 other European languages. Many do not master it, and become part of the "long tail" We update most tools and other mediums that make life better, from hand drill to electric drill, from Roman numerals to Arabic numerals. We also need to update and upgrade our spelling. Allan Campbell Christchurch, New Zealand
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Date published: 7/29/2010
Spelling is NOT the language
(posted by
AllanJC
, Aug. 1, 2010 11:58 pm)
I leave u these thoughts: Probably Egyptians believed changing from hieroglyphs was "dumbing down"; probably supporters of Roman numerals thought a change to Hindu-Arabic was "dumbing down". I've mentioned that teaching skill, by your reasoning, must be much better in Korean, Finnish, Turkish, etc. if their literacy rates are a guide. And, I repeat, spelling is not the language; upgrading spelling does not "dumb down" the language. Cheers.
Allan, we'll have to agree to disagree
(posted by
bvandivert
, Aug. 1, 2010 9:38 pm)
I see the need for literacy, but the fact is, there will be some who are illiterate and I'm not convinced that dumbing down the language is going to change that fact. But it really doesn't matter because neither you, I, nor the letter writer is going to be able to change the english language. I might add that you haven't responded to my points about the lack of skill of teachers and the lack of emphasis on education. But it doesn't matter, I'm done with this thread-it's pointless.
Do we want universal literacy?
(posted by
AllanJC
, July 31, 2010 6:54 pm)
Unfortunately, discussing serious matters can be dull. Where would flippancy get us? Yes, you've mentioned a lack of emfasis on education, etc, but have not really found valid responses to the ideas I've been raising. You don't see the need for universal literacy, it seems. Even ditch-diggers now use complicated machinery requiring a modicum of literacy expertise.
To be honest...
(posted by
bvandivert
, July 31, 2010 3:29 pm)
This discussion thread is incredibly dull. It amazes me how people want everything to change to accomodate them, but that's another topic. I think, as I've said before that our illiteracy rate has much more to do with a lack of emphasis on education, the prevalence of television, video games, etc, and teachers that have no business teaching. As my grandfather used to say, those who don't apply themselves can always dig ditches, cause the world needs ditch diggers! Still holds true.
We did it for math
(posted by
AllanJC
, July 31, 2010 1:51 am)
Did we change numerals to fit the skill of learners? Did the change make math available to more learners? I say yes. Would you? If we did it for math, why can't we do it for literacy, which is a required skill for math? Look at Turkey. In 1923, when founded, the literacy rate was 11%. Among the reforms introduced by Atat?rk was changing the alphabet from Arabic to Roman, with better spellings - easier to learn and reflecting the language better. Current literacy rate, over 90% - beyond English experience!
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