New Spelling for the US?

[snazy-a-tastic]

The_Wrench_Ninja

First off, every post I've read, against changing the language, uses the argument "It's fine the way it's always been."

I didn't say that, and yet my post (directly above yours, in fact) was against changing it just the same. I said that after learning the language for twnty years, as I have been - being born an English Canadian citizen in 1986 and all - that the "simplified" way would actually be more difficult for me. Tell me how that's not the truth. Sure, to people who do have difficulty it may be easier... or to people who are brought up with a new system. But, to those of us who know the current way, the change would throw us off. Yes? Yes.

A language changing over time is one thing, but a drastic change to make it easier (?) will confuse more people than it will help.  

[Red-Chocolate]

I like grammar to be hard. Otherwise, where would we get our fun from correcting others?  

[King Kento]

snazy-a-tastic

The_Wrench_Ninja

First off, every post I've read, against changing the language, uses the argument "It's fine the way it's always been."

I didn't say that, and yet my post (directly above yours, in fact) was against changing it just the same. I said that after learning the language for twnty years, as I have been - being born an English Canadian citizen in 1986 and all - that the "simplified" way would actually be more difficult for me. Tell me how that's not the truth. Sure, to people who do have difficulty it may be easier... or to people who are brought up with a new system. But, to those of us who know the current way, the change would throw us off. Yes? Yes.

A language changing over time is one thing, but a drastic change to make it easier (?) will confuse more people than it will help.

Thats one issue with the article, i dont think there was much given on a time frame.

Either way its selfish though to say because itd be hard on you (though i think you said only a drastic change) that it shouldnt be done. It would be easier on foreigners as well. Its not like it wouldnt help for more poeple to know english.  

[farfromsight06]

Ok. That would just be rediculous to do that. It was hard reading that. The only part I ped through was the quote form the guy who was against it. Writting out the full word and sound of it is much easier to read and write.  

[Lissiwen]

Red-Chocolate

I like grammar to be hard. Otherwise, where would we get our fun from correcting others?

That one is going in my quote book.  

[Alexa488]

I like the way English is.

Is the correlation between spelling out the words and sounding them out logical?

NO!

You know why? It's largely due to the fact that English is vibrant and thriving. Many different people from different cultural backgrounds are constantly learning it, using it and modifying it. I would hazard a guess that there are words from nearly every other major language hidden somewhere within ours. That's what makes it fun. It's like a history and a cultural lesson all wrapped up into daily speaking and writing.

Why do we say lasagna with a "z" sound and tortilla with a "yuh" sound? You answer: because they're words from Italian and Spanish, duh! In Italian or Spanish those constructions are logical and they carried over to English. Sure, we say the words with an English accent, but who cares? These words are carrying their history with them, just like people with the last name of Miller who's family used to all be millers.

Sure, we could standardize everything, but that would take all of the fun out of it. Don't you like coming across a word and going "What the. . . ? What were they thinking!" and then finding out later the logic behind the evolution of that particular word and suddenly appreciating it much more?

For those that ARE interested in such things, I highly recommend the AWAD (a word a day) mailing list.

For those that aren't; well, you're welcome to your opinion, too.  

[The Man who was Thursday]

I am all for spelling reform [seriously, it's ridiculous the number of ways "ough" can be pronounced]... but people go about it entirely the wrong way.

They make ugly word forms which don't even mesh with more or less standard international pronunciations.

What we need to do is adopt some more character symbols [bring back thorn and edh!] and standardize vowel sound formations. If I were hardcore, I'd suggest having to learn the IPA, but that's a bit extreme.  

[Whoremone]

Riyuu-Rae

I don't have to read this entire article to realize myself that this is a retarded idea.

Quote for truth.

What about the multi millions (billions?) of people who already know English. How about we just tell them that everything they've learned about the language, up to this point in time, was wrong.

Hell no, this is a horrible idea.  

[The Man who was Thursday]

Whoremone

Riyuu-Rae

I don't have to read this entire article to realize myself that this is a retarded idea.

Quote for truth.

What about the multi millions (billions?) of people who already know English. How about we just tell them that everything they've learned about the language, up to this point in time, was wrong.

Hell no, this is a horrible idea.

Of course, because language transitions are always instantaneous.  

[DarkElf27]

If everything that sounds the same is spelled the same, then how will anyone know the difference?  

[The Man who was Thursday]

DarkElf27

If everything that sounds the same is spelled the same, then how will anyone know the difference?

Look up the word "set" and observe the longest list of definitions in most dictionaries.

How can you tell which definition of set is being used?

Context.  

[DarkElf27]

Either way, it's just another English 'expert' trying to make a name for himself by 'revolutionizing' the language. rolleyes  

[Whoremone]

skeate

Whoremone

Riyuu-Rae

I don't have to read this entire article to realize myself that this is a retarded idea.

Quote for truth.

What about the multi millions (billions?) of people who already know English. How about we just tell them that everything they've learned about the language, up to this point in time, was wrong.

Hell no, this is a horrible idea.

Of course, because language transitions are always instantaneous.

What would they do? Change a few different words per year until we eventually have a new language? Even if they tried to change 2% of the language per year, that's still a huge thing.  

[The Man who was Thursday]

Whoremone

skeate

Whoremone

Riyuu-Rae

I don't have to read this entire article to realize myself that this is a retarded idea.

Quote for truth.

What about the multi millions (billions?) of people who already know English. How about we just tell them that everything they've learned about the language, up to this point in time, was wrong.

Hell no, this is a horrible idea.

Of course, because language transitions are always instantaneous.

What would they do? Change a few different words per year until we eventually have a new language? Even if they tried to change 2% of the language per year, that's still a huge thing.

Language transitions are slow. Do you think they suddenly sprung the changes from Old English to Middle English on people, and they were just like "oh, okay" and started using it?

One way it could be done is instead of replacing words, simply add them as acceptable spellings. Over time, the simpler spelling will win out and the other will become archaic.

If, of course, people are willing to accept a little change.  

[Roy_Mustang_Is_Hot_Stuff]

skeate

Whoremone

skeate

Whoremone

Riyuu-Rae

I don't have to read this entire article to realize myself that this is a retarded idea.

Quote for truth.

What about the multi millions (billions?) of people who already know English. How about we just tell them that everything they've learned about the language, up to this point in time, was wrong.

Hell no, this is a horrible idea.

Of course, because language transitions are always instantaneous.

What would they do? Change a few different words per year until we eventually have a new language? Even if they tried to change 2% of the language per year, that's still a huge thing.

Language transitions are slow. Do you think they suddenly sprung the changes from Old English to Middle English on people, and they were just like "oh, okay" and started using it?

One way it could be done is instead of replacing words, simply add them as acceptable spellings. Over time, the simpler spelling will win out and the other will become archaic.

If, of course, people are willing to accept a little change.

That has happened, actually, over time but met with much resistance. Ever try to read Sheakspeare or the King James Bible. Many of the words were replaced and the meanings somehow changed. Language evolves.