Frequently Asked Questions
The English Language
English spelling is so complicated and illogical: why don't you introduce some form of
phonetic spelling? |
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The purpose of the dictionary is to record and explain
usage as it actually is, not to propose or support new and untried ways of reforming
the language. There have been numerous attempts to launch spelling reform in English,
and none has shown the slightest sign of catching on beyond the inventor's immediate
circle - with one exception. In his pioneering dictionary of American English
(first published in 1828), Noah Webster recommended a small number of standardized
spellings which differed from the British standard of the day, and many are still
in use in American English.
(See also the answer on language regulation.)
Other questions in this section:How many words are there in the English language?
Is it true that English has the most words of any language?
What is the difference between Old English and Anglo-Saxon?
What is the proportion of English words of French, Latin, or Germanic origin?
Why don't you introduce some form of phonetic spelling?
Why is 'w' pronounced 'double u' rather than 'double v'?
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