English Spelling :: ilmu pengetahuan

English spelling reform is the collective term for various campaigns and efforts to change the speling of the English language to make it simpler and more rationally consistent. There exists a small-scale movement among amateur and professional linguists, but one with a long history and some mixed successes.

Supporters assert that the many inconsistencies and irregularities of English spelling lead to severe difficulties for learners. They believe this leads to a lower level of literacy among English speakers compared with speakers of languages having a spelling system that more faithfully conforms to how the language is spoken, and have, since at least the time of George Bernard Shaw, pointed out costs to business and other users in retaining traditional spelling, which can be worked out by the casual observer as cumulatively massive.

English does in fact have a very poor phonemic orthography, or correspondence between how the words are written and how they are spoken. This is due in part to changes in commonly accepted dialects of English from older pronunciations.

There is opposition to spelling reform from traditionalists who feel that something is to be lost from simplifying the spelling of English — this can range from numinous 'old world' sensibilities to feared concrete financial losses by opposing vested interests (notably printers, and purveyors of rival solutions or palliative measures such as shorthand remedial literacy and synthetic phonics).

Spelling strategies (American) ◄

Spelling rules/exercises

They're - there - their

Silent "e" and suffixes

Common misspelled words

Essay exam terms/directives

Transitional words & phrases

Modifiers & commas

Seven stages of writing assignments

Writing guides general index

English spelling rules are complex, with many exceptions.

If you find spelling to be a particular challenge, here are strategies to follow:

As a foundation:

Practice your spelling

Keep a "spelling notebook" and list words you commonly misspell or have trouble with

Keep a list of commonly misspelled English words, or words that may be spelled correctly, but misused (e.g. who's * whose)

Keep a list of rules for spelling

This book can also help you build your vocabulary

As regards important documents you send, or turn in to others:

Spell check the document if it is electronic

Note: Some e-mail software (i.e. MS Outlook) can be set to automatically check spelling and grammar before you can send

Re-read the printed document carefully for errors:

Pay attention to words you commonly misspell or that are spelled correctly but misused

Note these words in your spelling notebook

Have someone you trust and respect review the document.

This is often difficult for us since often we get comments regarding text as well as spelling. But that is a plus, since we don't have to change the text, but rather appreciate the suggestions and go on...

If you have a Center for Writing Assistance,

take advantage of it

Using Dictionaries: a dictionary contains more than the spelling of a word!

It also contains the spelling of its derivatives: plural forms and participles. On line resources include

Dictionary.com

Dictionary, thesaurus, and access to foreign dictionaries

Dictionary.net

A straightforward presentation of definitions and synonyms from a variety of resources

Merriam-Webster OnLine

Dictionary, thesaurus, look up feature for bad spellers, word of the day, word games, and access to vocabulary in 230 languages

Since English is so exceptional in its spellings, any dictionary assists you in finding exceptions to the rules of spelling. Alternative spellings, especially British vs. American, should also be noted.

Spell checkers in word processing:

Spell check each and every word-processed document as a habit

Proof-read each document after spell-checking!

A spell checker will only find words incorrectly spelled. It will not find words correctly spelled but misused.

Common challenges:

from and form: a common typing inversion;

of, or: another case ofmistaken keyboarding;

to, too, two; there, their; whether, weather: common confusion of usage;

foreign, physical: When is an "f" really a "ph"?

Remembering a "spelling":

Check a dictionary

for the correct pronunciation of the word. This will help you remember how to spell the word

Check for the meaning and history of the word.

This provides additional information

Practice spelling the word to yourself before you close the dictionary. Write it down or visualize it in your mind's eye.

Check the spelling in the dictionary again to ensure that you have learned to spell the word correctly;