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The little things

By Valerie Yule - posted Monday, 6 May 2013


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.

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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.

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Some resources

2011, Yule, Valerie 'Recent developments which affect spelling. On the possibility of removing the unnecessary difficulties in English spelling, while leaving the basic appearance of English print intact.English Today, 107, vol 27, No 3. Sept 2011, pp 62-67

1986. The design of spelling to meet needs & abilities.Harvard Educational Review. 56.3. 278 - 297. 



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About the Author

Valerie Yule is a writer and researcher on imagination, literacy and social issues.

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