N?ant Humain
2004-01-08 23:04:26 UTC
A Modest Reform: Another English Spelling System
Numerous spelling reforms have been presented for the English language
over the years, and most have shared a flaw
regarding ease of migration. Millions of people all over the world
already use English, whether as first or second
language; and boundless material already exists in this language.
Despite this, something can be done to make
English spelling easier to learn while preserving much of the
appearance of the classic orthography.
First, I present the trickiest part of any English spelling reform:
the vowels. I have tried to maintain
a similarity to the current standard, only breaking as needed to show
distinctions. I have added a few
simple exceptions to preserve a closer feel to the current spelling
and to prevent some words from becoming
too voweled. I will use the Kirshenbaum representation of the
International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) here,
assuming a typical American English accent.
"Short Vowels" "Long Vowels"
a /&/ = a A /eI/ = ai, ay *(1)
e /E/ = e *(2) E /i/ = ee *(2)
i /I/ = i I /aI/ = -ye, iye *(3)
o /A/ = o O /oU/ = oe
u /V/ = u U /ju/ = yoo
oo /U/ = oo- *(4) OO /u/ = ooh-, oo *(4)
"The Diphthongs"
ow /aU/ = ou, ow *(1)
oy /OI/ = oi, oy *(1)
aw /O/ = au, aw *(1)
*(1): The digraphs <ai>, <ou>, <oi>, and <au> are used before a
consonant, and the digraphs
<ay>, <ow>, <oy>, and <aw> are used at the end of a word.
*(2): The digraph <ee> represents the phoneme /i/ except in
one-syllable, vowel-final
words, where <e> is used and at the end of multi-syllable words,
where <y> is used.
*(3): The digraph <ye> represents /aI/ only after a consontant; at the
beginning of a word,
<iye> is used; <iye> is also used in multi-syllable words where
<ye> may lead to confusion.
*(4): The digraph <oo> represents /U/ before a consonant as long as it
is not preceded by /j/.
The digraph <oo> represents /u/ at the end of a word.
Also note that the article "a" is always written "a"; and the article
"the" is always written ðe,
despite the following sound.
Also, <a> at the end of multi-syllable words is a schwa, like <u>.
<O> at the end of multi-syllable words is like <oe>.
Prerhotic:
/ir/ = eer
/Er/ = air
/@r/ = er
/Ar/ = ar
/Or/ = or
/aIr./ = iyer
/aUr./ = ower
/oIr./ = oyer
Prelambdic:
/il./ = eel
/Il/ = ill
/eIl./ = ail
/El/ = ell
/Ol/ = all
/oUl/ = oel
/Ul/ = ull
/ul./ = ool
Consonants:
b /b/ = b
d /d/ = d
f /f/ = f
g /g/ = g
h /h/ = h-(vowel, /w/, or /j/ and not preceded by c, s, or z)
j /dZ/ = j
k /k/ = k
l /l/ = l
m /m/ = m
n /n/ = n
p /p/ = p
r /r/ = r
s /s/ = s
t /t/ = t
v /v/ = v
w /w/ = w
y /j/ = y
z /z/ = z
sh /S/ = sh
/Z/ = zh
ch /tS/ = ch-, -tch
th /D/ = ð (eth)
th /T/ = θ (theta)
-ng /N/ = ng
Syllabic Consonants:
l /l./ ol
n /n./ in
m /m./ im
r /@r/ er
Examples:
Title and First Paragraph:
///
A Modest Reform: Another English Spelling System
Numerous spelling reforms have been presented for the English language
over the years, and most have shared a flaw
regarding ease of migration. Millions of people all over the world
already use English, whether as first or second
language; and boundless material already exists in this language.
Despite this, something can be done to make
English spelling easier to learn while preserving much of the
appearance of the classic orthography.
///
A modist reeform: Unuðer Ingglish Spelling Sisdim
Noohmeris spelling reeformz hav bin prezentid for ðe Ingglish langgwij
oever ðe yeerz, and moest hav shaird a flaw
reegarding eez uv myegraishin. Millyinz uv peepol all oever ðe werold
allredy yooz Inglish, weðer az ferst or
sekind langgwij; and boundlis muteeryol allredy egzists in ðis
langgwij. Dispiyet ðis, sumθing kan be dun too maik
Ingglish spelling eezeer too lern wyel prezerving mutch uv ðe
upeerins uv θe klasik langgwij.
Pronouns (Proenounz):
Personal (Persunol):
Iye we
yoo yoo
he, she, it ðay
me us
yoo yoo
hiz, her, it ðem
myen arz
yerz yerz
his, herz, its ðerz
mye ar
yer yer
hiz, her, its ðer
myeself arselvz
yerself yerselvz
himself, herself, itself ðemselvz
Interrogative (Interogutiv):
hoo, hoohm, hoohz, witch, wut
Demonstrative (Dumonstrutiv):
ðis, ðat, ðeez, ðoez
Common Conjunctions (Komin Kunjunkshinz):
and, but, or, nor, yet, soe, for
Common Adverbs (Komin Adverbz):
wen, wair, how, soohn, ever, never, sumtyemz, oftin, eneeway, kwikly,
sloely, moderitly
Days of the Week (Daiz uv ðe Week):
Sunday, Munday, Toozday, Wenzday, ðerzday, Fryeday, Saterday
Months of the Year (Munθs uv ðe Yeer):
Janyoowairy, Febroowairy, March, Aprol, May, Joohn, Juliye, Augist,
September, Oktoeber, Noevember, Desember
Family Relatives (Famuly Relutivz):
muðer, foðer, bruðer, sisder, sun, dauder, nees, nefyoo, unkol, ant,
mom, dad, grandma, grandpa
American Cities (Umairikin Sideez):
Noo York
Los Anjulis
Shikogo
Myeamy
Seeadol
Woshingtin, D.C.
Bosdin
Memfis
Filludelfya
Pitsberg
Feeniks
Saint Loois
Hyoosdin
Dalis
Ausdin
Orlando
Santa Fay
San Frinsisko
San Deeaigo
Kanzis Sidy
Denver
Noo Orleenz
Nashvill
Jaksinvill
Indyunapoelis
Kleevlind
Sinsunady
Atlanta
U.S. States (U.S. Staits):
Woshingtin
Orugin
Iyeduho
Montana
Kalifornya
Nuvada
Yootaw
Airizoena
Noo Meksiko
Kolurodo
Norθ Dukoeda
Souθ Dukoeda
Norθ Kairulyena
Souθ Kairulyena
West Verjinya
Virginya
Teksis
Kanzis
Nubraska
Mizery
Iyeuwa
Oekluhoema
Minusoeda
Wiskonsin
Illunoy
Indyana
Oehyeo
Tenusee
Arkinsaw
Kentuky
Alubama
Misisipy
Florda
Jorja
Mairlind
Delluwair
Noo Jerzee
Noo York
Kunedikit
Masuchusits
Vermont
Noo Hampsher
Main
Roed Iyelind
Ulaska
Huwiyee
Wyeoeming
Mishigin
Looweezeeana
Cities of the World (Sideez uv ðe Werold):
Lundin, Ingglind
Pairis, Frans
Berlin, Jerminy
Dublin, Iyerlind
Oduwa, Kanuda
Vancoohver, Kanuda
Montreeall, Kanuda (Mauraiyol)
Kwubek, Kanuda (Kaibek)
Roem, Iduly
Moskow, Rusha
Worsaw, Poelind
Stokholm, Sweedin
Ozlo, Norway
Koepinhaigin, Denmark
Tokyo, Jupan
Baizhing, Chyena
This idea is still imperfect. Many proper nouns, which are prone to
have two vowels next to each other, look obnoxious right now (i.e.,
Oehyeo for Ohio
and Looweezeeana for Louisiana), but that will be fixed in a later
post.
Numerous spelling reforms have been presented for the English language
over the years, and most have shared a flaw
regarding ease of migration. Millions of people all over the world
already use English, whether as first or second
language; and boundless material already exists in this language.
Despite this, something can be done to make
English spelling easier to learn while preserving much of the
appearance of the classic orthography.
First, I present the trickiest part of any English spelling reform:
the vowels. I have tried to maintain
a similarity to the current standard, only breaking as needed to show
distinctions. I have added a few
simple exceptions to preserve a closer feel to the current spelling
and to prevent some words from becoming
too voweled. I will use the Kirshenbaum representation of the
International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) here,
assuming a typical American English accent.
"Short Vowels" "Long Vowels"
a /&/ = a A /eI/ = ai, ay *(1)
e /E/ = e *(2) E /i/ = ee *(2)
i /I/ = i I /aI/ = -ye, iye *(3)
o /A/ = o O /oU/ = oe
u /V/ = u U /ju/ = yoo
oo /U/ = oo- *(4) OO /u/ = ooh-, oo *(4)
"The Diphthongs"
ow /aU/ = ou, ow *(1)
oy /OI/ = oi, oy *(1)
aw /O/ = au, aw *(1)
*(1): The digraphs <ai>, <ou>, <oi>, and <au> are used before a
consonant, and the digraphs
<ay>, <ow>, <oy>, and <aw> are used at the end of a word.
*(2): The digraph <ee> represents the phoneme /i/ except in
one-syllable, vowel-final
words, where <e> is used and at the end of multi-syllable words,
where <y> is used.
*(3): The digraph <ye> represents /aI/ only after a consontant; at the
beginning of a word,
<iye> is used; <iye> is also used in multi-syllable words where
<ye> may lead to confusion.
*(4): The digraph <oo> represents /U/ before a consonant as long as it
is not preceded by /j/.
The digraph <oo> represents /u/ at the end of a word.
Also note that the article "a" is always written "a"; and the article
"the" is always written ðe,
despite the following sound.
Also, <a> at the end of multi-syllable words is a schwa, like <u>.
<O> at the end of multi-syllable words is like <oe>.
Prerhotic:
/ir/ = eer
/Er/ = air
/@r/ = er
/Ar/ = ar
/Or/ = or
/aIr./ = iyer
/aUr./ = ower
/oIr./ = oyer
Prelambdic:
/il./ = eel
/Il/ = ill
/eIl./ = ail
/El/ = ell
/Ol/ = all
/oUl/ = oel
/Ul/ = ull
/ul./ = ool
Consonants:
b /b/ = b
d /d/ = d
f /f/ = f
g /g/ = g
h /h/ = h-(vowel, /w/, or /j/ and not preceded by c, s, or z)
j /dZ/ = j
k /k/ = k
l /l/ = l
m /m/ = m
n /n/ = n
p /p/ = p
r /r/ = r
s /s/ = s
t /t/ = t
v /v/ = v
w /w/ = w
y /j/ = y
z /z/ = z
sh /S/ = sh
/Z/ = zh
ch /tS/ = ch-, -tch
th /D/ = ð (eth)
th /T/ = θ (theta)
-ng /N/ = ng
Syllabic Consonants:
l /l./ ol
n /n./ in
m /m./ im
r /@r/ er
Examples:
Title and First Paragraph:
///
A Modest Reform: Another English Spelling System
Numerous spelling reforms have been presented for the English language
over the years, and most have shared a flaw
regarding ease of migration. Millions of people all over the world
already use English, whether as first or second
language; and boundless material already exists in this language.
Despite this, something can be done to make
English spelling easier to learn while preserving much of the
appearance of the classic orthography.
///
A modist reeform: Unuðer Ingglish Spelling Sisdim
Noohmeris spelling reeformz hav bin prezentid for ðe Ingglish langgwij
oever ðe yeerz, and moest hav shaird a flaw
reegarding eez uv myegraishin. Millyinz uv peepol all oever ðe werold
allredy yooz Inglish, weðer az ferst or
sekind langgwij; and boundlis muteeryol allredy egzists in ðis
langgwij. Dispiyet ðis, sumθing kan be dun too maik
Ingglish spelling eezeer too lern wyel prezerving mutch uv ðe
upeerins uv θe klasik langgwij.
Pronouns (Proenounz):
Personal (Persunol):
Iye we
yoo yoo
he, she, it ðay
me us
yoo yoo
hiz, her, it ðem
myen arz
yerz yerz
his, herz, its ðerz
mye ar
yer yer
hiz, her, its ðer
myeself arselvz
yerself yerselvz
himself, herself, itself ðemselvz
Interrogative (Interogutiv):
hoo, hoohm, hoohz, witch, wut
Demonstrative (Dumonstrutiv):
ðis, ðat, ðeez, ðoez
Common Conjunctions (Komin Kunjunkshinz):
and, but, or, nor, yet, soe, for
Common Adverbs (Komin Adverbz):
wen, wair, how, soohn, ever, never, sumtyemz, oftin, eneeway, kwikly,
sloely, moderitly
Days of the Week (Daiz uv ðe Week):
Sunday, Munday, Toozday, Wenzday, ðerzday, Fryeday, Saterday
Months of the Year (Munθs uv ðe Yeer):
Janyoowairy, Febroowairy, March, Aprol, May, Joohn, Juliye, Augist,
September, Oktoeber, Noevember, Desember
Family Relatives (Famuly Relutivz):
muðer, foðer, bruðer, sisder, sun, dauder, nees, nefyoo, unkol, ant,
mom, dad, grandma, grandpa
American Cities (Umairikin Sideez):
Noo York
Los Anjulis
Shikogo
Myeamy
Seeadol
Woshingtin, D.C.
Bosdin
Memfis
Filludelfya
Pitsberg
Feeniks
Saint Loois
Hyoosdin
Dalis
Ausdin
Orlando
Santa Fay
San Frinsisko
San Deeaigo
Kanzis Sidy
Denver
Noo Orleenz
Nashvill
Jaksinvill
Indyunapoelis
Kleevlind
Sinsunady
Atlanta
U.S. States (U.S. Staits):
Woshingtin
Orugin
Iyeduho
Montana
Kalifornya
Nuvada
Yootaw
Airizoena
Noo Meksiko
Kolurodo
Norθ Dukoeda
Souθ Dukoeda
Norθ Kairulyena
Souθ Kairulyena
West Verjinya
Virginya
Teksis
Kanzis
Nubraska
Mizery
Iyeuwa
Oekluhoema
Minusoeda
Wiskonsin
Illunoy
Indyana
Oehyeo
Tenusee
Arkinsaw
Kentuky
Alubama
Misisipy
Florda
Jorja
Mairlind
Delluwair
Noo Jerzee
Noo York
Kunedikit
Masuchusits
Vermont
Noo Hampsher
Main
Roed Iyelind
Ulaska
Huwiyee
Wyeoeming
Mishigin
Looweezeeana
Cities of the World (Sideez uv ðe Werold):
Lundin, Ingglind
Pairis, Frans
Berlin, Jerminy
Dublin, Iyerlind
Oduwa, Kanuda
Vancoohver, Kanuda
Montreeall, Kanuda (Mauraiyol)
Kwubek, Kanuda (Kaibek)
Roem, Iduly
Moskow, Rusha
Worsaw, Poelind
Stokholm, Sweedin
Ozlo, Norway
Koepinhaigin, Denmark
Tokyo, Jupan
Baizhing, Chyena
This idea is still imperfect. Many proper nouns, which are prone to
have two vowels next to each other, look obnoxious right now (i.e.,
Oehyeo for Ohio
and Looweezeeana for Louisiana), but that will be fixed in a later
post.