Should the English language update its spelling and grammar?
By Scott
@callarse1 (4783)
United States
February 16, 2007 6:10pm CST
Hello! I am a native English speaker (from the USA) and I know there are people out there (from the UK) that say that we from the USA are "raping the English language", so please I do not want to see any such comments like that on here. I am on another forum similar to this and people were discussing about this theme and I thought it may be interesting to talk about on here.
I saw this website where these people (and oh yes they ARE from the UK) want to update the English language spelling system. If you are familiar with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), then you will think that the new system makes a lot of sense. Since I have taken some linguistics classes and worked with the IPA I think it makes sense. However, I think some people will be shocked and think that it won't work. I have had my doubts, but I think their system makes a lot more logical sense--words are spelled more as they are pronounced, silent letters are deleted, and such things. I will leave you with the websites:
http://www.nuspel.org/literacy.html (Nuspel Organisation)
http://www.antimoon.com/how/pronunc-soundsipa.htm (International Phonetic Alphabet)
So, what are your views? Should the English language update its spelling and grammar? Should there be an English committee located in UK to handle the updates of the language? (Similar to the committees for French and Spanish)
1 person likes this
3 responses
@paul_vicmar (35)
• Spain
25 Feb 07
I live and work in Spain. I teach English. One of my classes was horrified when I informed them there was no Real Academy for the English Language. I said there are the people at Oxford University Press who decide what new words are to be added to the Oxford English Dictionary.
And what good would an "English Grammar Commitee" have updating grammar and the like. No one in the street would take any notice. Which is the same in Spain. The Spanish commitee make comments on this and that but it makes no difference to the average person in the street.
English because of its global nature is an evolving language without the use of some intellectuals deciding for you. The grammar itself is quite simple and in no way complicated.
Look at Spanish grammar and German grammar!
1 person likes this
@callarse1 (4783)
• United States
26 Feb 07
I find that the Spanish grammar makes a lot more sense than English. However I guess there are complexities such as Spanish grammar but English pronunciation. I guess you are right that not many take notice of the committee, but still at least there is a committee. I am referring of grammar things like: "Paul and me went to the mall", should that be acceptable? Is it okay say "it don't matter" which many people say. Therefore I think a change is due and maybe some movement will happen in UK because it would be nice.
Pablo
@callarse1 (4783)
• United States
8 Mar 07
Thank you about that. Well, but in Spain there is one committee for Spanish and many languages for Spanish. I think it is okay for one committee and they can comment on the different dialects of the language. I would be find with that. As a matter of fact, someone will send "it don't" and "Paul and me are friends" not just in chat rooms. People use and they think it is correct. Therefore, I think the grammar needs to be updated.
Pablo
@paul_vicmar (35)
• Spain
26 Feb 07
You would also have to have a commitee in all English speaking countries US, Australia, S Africa etc. to oversee the grammar in these countries. Essentially the grammar is similar in all these countries but there are some important differences. For example in the US it would be common to say "I did my homework already" whilst in the UK it would be "I have already done my homework."
With regards to people saying "Paul and me" and "it don´t matter" I think it is probably due to time spent doing other things computers, playing video games instead of perhaps reading.
1 person likes this
@hezoid (2144)
•
7 Mar 07
No, i don't think it should be updated, unless it's as a result of a gradual evolution. I don't see why the English lanaguage should be changed to suit people who struggle to understand and use it, those people just need to try harder! No language should have to change just to suit speakers of other lanaguages! Also, this would mean loosing part of the English culture too, and of course everyone who does understand English as it is would have to learn a new way of using it, which i feel it's far to much to ask English language speakers to not only change their language to suit other people but also have to learn and adapt to the new language!
1 person likes this
@callarse1 (4783)
• United States
8 Mar 07
Thanks for your words. Well, I originally was thinking about people that actually write English. For example I was really angry because I didn't know how to spell sergeant! It is spelled with sErgeant, but I don't hear any e sound! I was so angry because I couldn't find it using spell check and I didn't know what to look up in the dictionary, finally I just kept guessing. You are right, we would loose some of the culture, but I think NulSpel's point is to make the language easier for native speakers. I believe NulSpel want a gradual evolution as well. Have a nice day.
Pablo
@enigmapheonix (13)
• British Indian Ocean Territory
17 Feb 07
technically speaking the usa has always changed the original english language to simplify it and to some have dropped the standard. maybe the need things simpler and cant handle the complexity of the original language, it it sometimes annoying to have to write and stop and ask yourself "is the spelling english or american" if u get what i mean, one standard would be better, more uniformity but u still need to appreciate the quality of the original language, no matter how obsolete it may be becoming with the higher levels of illiteracy and school droupouts occuring worldwide of late
1 person likes this
@callarse1 (4783)
• United States
17 Feb 07
Yes, I agree with you that there are too many spelling variations and what NuSpel has done is to make the spelling system more unified. I am not one to say that the spelling system of American English or British English is the best. They each are a little bit different and very special. I just agree with you, sometimes the spelling is the worse, and I think some grammar stuff needs to be updated.
