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RE: Push for Simpler Spelling: English as a Global Language
Subject:RE: Push for Simpler Spelling: English as a Global Language From:"Joe Malin" <jmalin -at- tuvox -dot- com> To:<eric -dot- dunn -at- ca -dot- transport -dot- bombardier -dot- com>, <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Fri, 7 Jul 2006 10:46:23 -0700
Yipe!
I'm against "simplified" spelling for different reasons.
I am a historian by nature; I want to how we arrived at the place we're
at now. Simplifying spelling would erase the history from words,
decoupling them from their roots and their meaning. English is hard to
learn, to be sure, but once learned it provides richness and nuance. I
hope that we will never lose that.
After all, what written language is that ordered? I could argue against
all languages, including the "models" we are often offered such as
German or Latin.
I think that proper spelling is an aid to quick, clear comprehension in
technical writing. Other than that, I am fascinated by spelling and
etymology. Proof of this is that I looked up the word "etymology" before
I wrote it! I am not against an evolution in spelling, grammar, or
language, but if it does not serve my customers I avoid it.
Joe
Joe Malin
Technical Writer
(408)625-1623
jmalin -at- tuvox -dot- com
www.tuvox.com
The views expressed in this document are those of the sender, and do not
necessarily reflect those of TuVox, Inc.
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+jmalin=tuvox -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+jmalin=tuvox -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf
Of eric -dot- dunn -at- ca -dot- transport -dot- bombardier -dot- com
Sent: Friday, July 07, 2006 7:08 AM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Re: Push for Simpler Spelling: English as a Global Language
techwr-l-bounces+eric -dot- dunn=ca -dot- transport -dot- bombardier -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- co
techwr-l-bounces+m
wrote on 07/07/2006 08:58:30 AM:
> That's a good point about changes originating in society, rather than
> being imposed.
If imposing a simplified standard language was a good idea, Esperanto
would have been spoken by everyone by now.
Campaigning for simplified English based entirely on phonetics is
ludicrous and insulting. It is self-centred navel gazing that determines
that a particular groups pronunciations and cultural cues are better
than all others (or is language to become fragmented into locally
understood writing only?) and it is simple laziness promoting the belief
that effort to learn is wasted and excellence in learning shouldn't be
celebrated.
I'll support the misguided protesting against spelling bees when society
forces everyone to participate in sports wearing debilitating and
equalising braces and other implements and over-paid and over adulated
professional sport is relegated to oblivion.
But that's unlikely to happen. It's still more popular to cheer the dumb
jocks blessed with size, muscle, or coordination and castigate/taunt
those endowed with intellectual or artistic gifts. On that note, society
hasn't evolved much past the level of cavemen.
Eric L. Dunn
Senior Technical Writer
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