Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
This is a book of two parts. The first six chapters are relatively general. They describe something of the history of English spelling and the factors that have brought so many irregularities to our language. The author argues that the irregular spelling of English is one factor in the disgracefully high rate of illiteracy in the English speaking world, and he describes attempts to reform the spelling of other languages. Korean reforms required centuries, but were ultimately successful. Some reforms have been carried out more quickly, but many have been complete failures. The reasons for the recurrent opposition to reform are considered. After a flurry of interest in English spelling reform during the first half of the 20th century, the topic was reduced to little more than the object of humor. The second part of the book is more technical than the first part. The criteria that should govern the choice of alternative reforms are described with care. The relatively easily reformed consonants and the much more difficult vowels are then considered in some detail. Attention is given to the problem of designing a spelling that is equally suitable for the many and diverse dialects of spoken English. A unified spelling could not perfectly represent any single dialect, but it could be very much better for all dialects that our present spelling. Possible ways by which reforms might be brought about are considered, but no single spelling is advocated.
Synopsis
Spellbound considers the history of English spelling and provides suggestions for modern day reform of its irregularities.
The first half of the book reviews the history of English spelling and the reasons for the many irregularities of our modern language. The author argues that the irregular spelling of English contributes seriously to the high rate of illiteracy in the English speaking world. He then reviews some of the many attempts to reform the spelling of other languages, some of which were successful and others not. During the first half of the 20th century there was a flurry of interest in reforms for English but since then reform has been little more than the object of humor. Spellbound considers the reasons for this opposition to reform.
The book then turns to current proposals for the reform of English. It describes the criteria that should govern the choice among alternative reforms and considers in detail the relatively easily reformed consonants and the much more difficult vowels. Special attention is given to ways of designing a spelling that is equally suitable for the many and diverse dialects of spoken English. While the author recognises that a unified spelling could not be perfect for any single dialect, he argues that it could be very much better than our present spelling for all dialects. Spellbound concludes by looking at possible ways by which reforms might be brought about today.