Some werds can be pronounced almost as spelld, eg. 'Grapes of WRATH' (American pronunciation)
Experiment! Play spelling games!
There can still be up to five lojical ways to spell a sound, instead of up to twenty with no lojic.
Advertisement
I hav put forward ways in which updating spelling can be done. I have tried removing unnecessary difficulties in spelling for children, disadvantaged adults, foriners learning English and even for ourselvs as literat adults, and seen the happy results.
About 36 common irregular werds remain to be lernd, becaus they make 12% of everyday text: ( all almost always among come some could should would half know of off one only once other pull push put two their they as was what want who why very, and international word endings -ion/-tion/-sion/zion)
After that, only 6% of surplus letters in words need be cut, and 3% of misleading letters changed, in everyday text.
That indeed makes a difrence for the disadvantaged, who can then read normal texts when updated 'Paralel Text' is given next to it.
A Dictionary Pronunciation Guide can be based on the BBC Text Pronunciation Guide.
Discuss in our Forums
See what other readers are saying about this article!
Click here to read & post comments.