THE AMERICAN LITERACY COUNCIL says English spelling rules are confusing and ought to be simplified. Doing so, proponents say, would send literacy rates soaring.
No more would “cough” and “dough” look similar and sound different. “Right” could be “ryt” and “wrong” could be “rong.”
It’s an old fight. For years, the Chicago Tribune used words such as “thru” and “tho” in a push for more logical spellings.
But language should evolve naturally. Who eats “catsup” or gets “hiccoughs” anymore? And in time, spellings change. Advertisers say that “lite” now is often preferable to “light.” All of this without a reform movement.
Instead of pushing for easier spelling rules, it makes more sense to campaign for better teaching and stronger study habits.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services
Post a Comment