Wikipedia is the differences in spelling

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the differences in spelling between American English and British English, particularly focusing on the use of -ize versus -ise, as well as other spelling variations such as the use of single versus double consonants. Participants express their preferences and frustrations regarding these differences, and some share personal experiences with spelling in different contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express a preference for British English spellings, citing personal irritation with American spellings.
  • Others acknowledge the differences but indicate that they are not particularly bothered by British spellings when encountered.
  • There is a discussion about the origins of American English and its divergence from British English, with some speculating on historical influences.
  • Participants note the influence of technology, such as spell checkers, on the adoption of American spellings.
  • Some express frustration with the complexity of English spelling, suggesting it is inefficient and unnecessarily complicated.
  • There are differing opinions on the necessity of silent letters and the rationale behind certain spelling conventions.
  • One participant questions the pronunciation of certain words and the logic behind their spelling, suggesting a need for reform in English orthography.
  • Discussions also touch on the cultural implications of spelling differences, with some participants making light-hearted comments about British and American terms.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express differing views on spelling preferences, with no consensus reached on whether one form is superior to the other. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of these spelling differences and the potential for reform in English spelling conventions.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference personal experiences and cultural backgrounds that influence their views on spelling. There is also mention of the impact of technology on language use, which may not be universally applicable.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to linguists, educators, and individuals interested in language evolution, cultural differences in language, and the impact of technology on language use.

  • #61


Monique said:
I we can agree that it really doesn't matter how you spell words, the brain will make sense of it all:

i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd what I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in what oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!
Wow! So written English is a pictographic language after all.
 
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  • #62


I think in Monique's example all the letters are needed but letter order is not important apart from first and last. When the word is nothing like we recognise when spelled phonetically its very much harder because we expect certain letters.
 
  • #63


Kurdt said:
I think in Monique's example all the letters are needed but letter order is not important apart from first and last. When the word is nothing like we recognise when spelled phonetically its very much harder because we expect certain letters.

I deleted a bunch of vowels and consonants.

I cdnolt blviee taht I clud aulacty uesdntnrd what I was rdaneg. The phanmneal pwor of the hmun mnid, aocdrnig to a rschearch at Cmabrige Uinevtisy, it dsno't mtatr in what odrr the lteres in a wrod are, the olny ipromtnt tihg is taht the frst and lsat ltter be in the rgit pcle. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitl raed it whtuit a pborlm. Tihs is bcusae the huamn mnid deos not raed evey ltetr by istlf, but the wrod as a wloe. Azamig huh? yaeh and I alyas tguhot slpeing was ipmoratt!
 
  • #64


jimmysnyder said:
I cdnolt blviee taht I clud aulacty uesdntnrd what I was rdaneg. The phanmneal pwor of the hmun mnid, aocdrnig to a rschearch at Cmabrige Uinevtisy, it dsno't mtatr in what odrr the lteres in a wrod are, the olny ipromtnt tihg is taht the frst and lsat ltter be in the rgit pcle. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitl raed it whtuit a pborlm. Tihs is bcusae the huamn mnid deos not raed evey ltetr by istlf, but the wrod as a wloe. Azamig huh? yaeh and I alyas tguhot slpeing was ipmoratt!
I can read this with no hesitation. My wife is Chinese and she could read it with hesitation.
 
  • #65


Monique said:
The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in what oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae.
Also I, guess that you can get away, with lousy grammar if, you spell that worstly.
 
  • #66


WarPhalange said:
It dozen't akchually (that's if you don't switch regular "c" to the "ch" sound) du anything besidz mak pepl chukle behind your bak.

I haven't reconciled make vs. mac. Might need an "a" with an umlaut.

Backtranslating (a la BabelFish :wink:):
It doze not ack chew lee duh anything be Sid's Mac pep el chew kill behind your Bach.
 
  • #67


Kurdt said:
I think in Monique's example all the letters are needed but letter order is not important apart from first and last. When the word is nothing like we recognise when spelled phonetically its very much harder because we expect certain letters.

I think it takes more than the first and last letter being in the correct place. Syntax and context are helpful too. If simple words to provide context aren't present, I think it gets a lot harder.

Here, only the first and last letter are in their correct positions (except for words where there are only 2 or 3 letters, so they remain intact).

Psgeirte, pweor, fmae, fntroue are the gloas of nmroeuus pniactiilos.

Not so easy this time, is it?
 
  • #68


Moonbear said:
I think it takes more than the first and last letter being in the correct place. Syntax and context are helpful too. If simple words to provide context aren't present, I think it gets a lot harder.

Here, only the first and last letter are in their correct positions (except for words where there are only 2 or 3 letters, so they remain intact).

Psgeirte, pweor, fmae, fntroue are the gloas of nmroeuus pniactiilos.

Not so easy this time, is it?

Yep, that's much tougher. I actually had to work to decipher the words.
 
  • #69


Moonbear said:
Psgeirte, pweor, fmae, fntroue are the gloas of nmroeuus pniactiilos.

Not so easy this time, is it?
I had trouble with the first and last words. The rest I read with no hesitation.
 

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