English Spelling

English Spelling is so complicated and illogical: why don't you introduce some form of phonetic spelling?


The purpose of the dictionary is to record and explain usage as it actually is, not to propose or support new and untried ways of reforming the language. There have been numerous attempts to launch spelling reform in English and none has shown the slightest sign of catching on beyond the inventor's immediate circle - with one exception. In his pioneering dictionary of American English (first published in 1828), Noah Webster recommended a small number of standardized spellings which differed from the British standard of the day and many are still in use in American English.


See also the answer on English Language Regulation.


Other Related Links:


• How Many Words are there in the English language?

• What is the difference between Old English and Anglo-Saxon?

• Why is W pronounced DOUBLE U rather than DOUBLE V. Why?

• Why don't you introduce some form of phonetic English spelling?

• Is it true that English has the most words of any Language?

• What is the proportion of English words of Other Languages?