Spelling

A rather interesting story.

My History of the English Language instructor today was talking to us about standardized spelling and how Middle English didn't have it. They pretty much spelled things however they liked, it wasn't even standardized within the same text. A friend of hers grew up going to this "different" school where spelling wasn't taught at all. She says that he's a very smart person but has a really hard time now that he's trying to standardize his spelling. He can even spell a word such as "one" it winds up looking like "wun".

How crazy is that?!:eek:

I purchased another dictionary today. I have dictionaries scattered all around the rooms of my house. If I could I would give each and every person on earth a dictionary of their choice. Words are gold, communication critical. Not viewing vocabulary/spelling as important enough to teach at ALL levels borders on criminal, another way to keep the proletariat in the gutter.....

Well I'm not surprised anyway, seeing how nowaday's kids spell... even if they were taught, or tried to!

As you might know, my attitude towards spelling mistakes is quite 'racist', as I can't stand them... I think I said before I noticed how easier it is for an English native speaker to spell some words wrong, because the rules of English spelling are quite crazy ;), and people may write something according to what they hear... While I know my spelling is in most cases correct because in my mind all letters are fully pronounced in my own way, and don't forget any of them :D (I actually didnt make many spelling mistakes in my own langauge either but that's much easier cos we pronunce things exactly as they're written, there are a few mistakes children make but as I was reading a lot I never did... Seeing an adult making those mistakes is something that give a very bad idea of that person...)

Oh baddad, I like dictionaries too, I can't persuade myself to throw away old ones when I buy new better ones, and I adore the pocket ones... I'm talking moslty of bilingual ones though....

I can't spel to save my life. I think its something you’re born with. Wasn't some one on this forum studying the history of the English language? I’d really like to know how (or when) the written language got so separated from the spoken language.

Oh damn I'm sure I've read about how that happened... sort of... but I forgot... well I can recall something but I'd like to re-read that but I lent the book to someone...
Something to do with the quick development of the language at some point, and foreign (French, Latin) influences...or stuff like that.
Sancho, I dont think it's something you're born with... I still think reading you fix the form of the word... But maybe not in English... I couldnt believe it when I saw people spelling 'forgottOn', but then hearing them pronounce it, I realised how easy it happens... Bah, I'm used to pronouncing my vowels clearly so I know where to put them ;) :D

Koa, I’m sure you’re correct when you tie reading to spelling; I’d add that repetition and recency are probably the two most important elements of memory. But I also think that dyslexia plays a role in how well one spells, and I’m sure that it’s fairly wide spread in the population. You know, 5 out of 4 of the men in my family are dyslexic.

If you think that was groaner, how ‘bout this one: Did you hear about the insomniac, dyslexic, agnostic?....

He’d lay awake nights wondering if there’s a dog.

All I can say is, “Sorry, but I couldn’t help myself.”

Spelling is over rated.

Feel like some light reading? It's all here:

http://angli02.kgw.tu-berlin.de/lexi...B_HIST_EU.html

Quote:

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Originally posted by Sancho
I can't spel to save my life. I think its something you’re born with. Wasn't some one on this forum studying the history of the English language? I’d really like to know how (or when) the written language got so separated from the spoken language.

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Hey Sancho, that was me!:) Middle English (ME) spelled words as they sounded. ME went from the Norman invasion in 1066 to the beginning of the 16th century. But it was when the printing press was invented at the end of the 15th century that spelling and speech seperated. The press is what standardized spelling, but then we had The Great Vowel Shift (which I haven't yet fully studied) so now we pronounce things different then we spell them.

Ever seen Monty Python and the Holy Grail? When they made fun the those English knights (pronounce every letter like "kenigits") that was actually how that word was prononced in Middle England!:D :p

Hah, Shea, that’s killing me. I’ve probably seen Monty Python’s Holy Grail a hundred times and it never occurred to me (I never k-new) that’s what the kenigits were talking about. I’m such a knave. I’ll get the knack of this yet. --- Hey, this is fun.
I’m going to have to look into the Great Vowel Shift. It sounds like a fascinating subject. Great, Grate; yet Treat; Break, Brake; Steak, Stake, yet speak.

Aaah Monty Python, a staple in the life of the infirm.

@Den so... were you interested in the 'Geek' language?

Speaking of Geek languages... any of thou lewdies govereet in those real horrorshow and bezoomny slovos of starry Mr. Burgess?

(Embarrassed as all hell with myself. Tsk tsk I need to get a jeezny... I mean life.)

Do you mean a clockwork orange? Did it also a have a weird spelling? I know about the words but... I need to see an original version of that book one day...

Btw welcome emily, I noticed you only now and I wondered how could that happen (but it appears you registered not long ago ;)) :D

yes... those words did come from Clockwork orange... Koa ... thanks for sparking my memory