Re: USAGE: Language revival

Patrick Dunn wrote:

> [W]hen one reads (especially when one reads quickly), one
> recognizes words not as phonetic units but as symbols.
This is pretty much true in all languages.  Nevertheless, English
orthography generates extra barriers against learning to read.

>  This is why it's
> slightly annoying to see people spell "through" as "thru" -- we don't
> "read" (Or sound out) t-h-r-o-u-g-h, but we have to "read" (sound out)
> t-h-r-u.
Sure.  But a modest spelling reform (*not* revolution) of the
"consistent rules" type I have been discussing would be a great
assistance in learning to read, lowering unnecessary barriers.

--

John Cowan      http://www.reutershealth.com            jcowan@reutershealth.com
Schlingt dreifach einen Kreis vom dies! / Schliess eurer Aug vor heiliger Schau
Den er genoss vom Honig-Tau / Und trank die Milch vom Paradies.
                -- Coleridge (tr. Politzer)