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Re: [LUG] OT: Spelling religious war flamebait

 

On 10/12/12 11:06, paul sutton wrote:
On 10/12/12 10:22, tom wrote:
On 10/12/12 09:22, Philip Hudson wrote:
On 10 Dec, 2012, at 8:55 am, tom wrote:

Using mercan spelling makes as much sense as using 3 for pi. It
might be 'easier' but achieves nothing of use to anyone.
Go on, just take a deep breath and let go of those silly UK
spellings. You can do it. Accept that American spellings are
phonetically truer, truer to Latin and Greek originals, shorter, more
consistent, easier to learn and remember, and altogether utterly and
completely superior. You're a logical, reasoning, rational sort of
chap, a global cybernaut, way beyond petty prejudice and chauvinism.

compare Sulphur (uk) to Sulfur,  the latter is now the accepted
international spelling.  It makes more sense,   This was a decision made
by the international chemistry people not us simply adopting American
spellings.

Oddly employers or potential employers here seem to think its ok to
write Dear Paul on official correspondence,  despite the fact I use
proper salutations.    Such as Dear Mr, Mrs, Ms, Miss.  To me what I use
is more professional,  and if I write to you like that you should write
back (just because I am using e-mail does not mean that e-mail can't be
made formal / informal.

I have had letters from the US that use the salutation / surname
format,  so we are not getting this casual unprofessional attitude from
the USA.

You can't tell me times are changing as if you get official
correspondence from the tax office, NHS et al, they do it properly.  If
you expect this from school leavers it may help if the teachers did it
properly.


Paul


The trouble is probably the teaching is too hard. Sulfur doesnt not really make more sense than sulfur - say that in devon and its mistaken for silver - the ph emphasises the f! Thats just an international agreement where getting it wrong can blow people up. But accents change - no-one was esturine when I was younger now half the country seems to be. To change spelling to adapt to the latest fashion just makes it harder for everyone in the long run. Its very short sighted to think that making spelling easier will somehow make language easier. When was the last time you spelt out a familiar word when writing? It was, like most of your language skills, learned by rote and not phonetically. If you are serious about doing things phonetically then lets do it properly - teach everyone the phonetic alphabet - that 44 speech sounds (and more now things that beep at us are becoming part of speech). You'll be 10 before you can write your name!
Tom te tom te tom

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