LL-L "Orthography" 2006.01.17 (08) [E]

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17 January 2006 * Volume 08
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From: Heiko Evermann <heiko.evermann at gmx.de>
Subject: LL-L "Orthography" 2006.01.17 (02) [E]

Hi Ron,
> Questions:
>
> (1) How many problems do you have with homophones when
>       you speak or listen to someone speak?
Well, I do read more than I listen. When listening, it sometimes takes time 
to
sort out the homophones. Besides: People usually speak a lot slower than I
read. When reading, I like to have homophones sorted out in the spelling.
>
> (2) Is keeping homophones orthographically apart worth
>       lifelong learning of the spelling of individual words (versus
>       initial short-term *system* learning)?
I thought such things are learned once, and not lifelong. And yes, it is 
worth
keeping them apart, as far as this is done at the moment. I like English
orthography the way it is and I really see no need for a big reform.

Besides any reform could only be the result of a big committee. Considering
our recent German "Schlechtschreibreform" with words like Potenzial (due to
Potenz)
but International (with t) and other silly ideas like "aufwändig" (from
Aufwand, but aufwenden is spelled with e, and "wendig" still remains the way
it is...) , I would like to spare the English speaking world such an
experience.

Kind regards,

Heiko Evermann

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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Orthography

Hi, Heiko!

Details of German reform aside ... and bearing in mind my horns ...

You wrote:

> I thought such things are learned once, and not lifelong.

Individual words are learned once and hopefully remembered.  Since the 
system as a whole is inconsistent, there are vast numbers of words, and 
human memory isn't perfect, the system as a whole requires lifelong learning 
(as opposed to a consistent system that permits you to correctly spell even 
previously unknown words when you first hear them).

> And yes, it is worth
> keeping them apart, as far as this is done at the moment. I like English
> orthography the way it is and I really see no need for a big reform.

And the reasons being ...?

"I like" and "it's worth" aren't a valid arguments, I'm afraid.

Not too long ago our Sandy posted something about arguments needing to be 
more substantial than that, and I totally agree with him, although I don't 
always live up to it myself.

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron 

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