Simplified Spelling Society
Encyclopedia
The English Spelling Society is an international organisation, based in the United Kingdom
. It was founded in 1908 as the Simplified Spelling Society and celebrated its Centenary Conference at Coventry University in June 2008. Its aims are to raise awareness of the problems caused by the irregularity of English spelling
, and to seek remedies to improve literacy
, including spelling reform
. The Society publishes leaflets, newsletter
s, journals
, book
s and bulletin
s. Its spokespersons feature regularly on TV, radio
and in print.
The Society considers that the fundamental justification for any changes to traditional English spelling is that it will improve literacy and reduce learning costs. In addition to being faster for children and foreign students to learn, reform must not place unnecessary obstacles in the way of those already familiar with traditional spelling.
.
In the November 1983 edition of the Society's newsletter, it printed a five-part reform proposal called Stage 1. One of these was Harry Lindgren
's SR1
proposal. In April 1984 they were adopted as the 'house style
' of the Society at its yearly meeting
. The Society said that the reforms could be used either together or individually (as a step-by-step change). For a description of Stage 1 see SR1#Spelling Reform Stage 1.
in Washington DC).
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It was founded in 1908 as the Simplified Spelling Society and celebrated its Centenary Conference at Coventry University in June 2008. Its aims are to raise awareness of the problems caused by the irregularity of English spelling
English orthography
English orthography is the alphabetic spelling system used by the English language. English orthography, like other alphabetic orthographies, uses a set of habits to represent speech sounds in writing. In most other languages, these habits are regular enough so that they may be called rules...
, and to seek remedies to improve literacy
Literacy
Literacy has traditionally been described as the ability to read for knowledge, write coherently and think critically about printed material.Literacy represents the lifelong, intellectual process of gaining meaning from print...
, including spelling reform
Spelling reform
Many languages have undergone spelling reform, where a deliberate, often officially sanctioned or mandated, change to spelling takes place. Proposals for such reform are also common....
. The Society publishes leaflets, newsletter
Newsletter
A newsletter is a regularly distributed publication generally about one main topic that is of interest to its subscribers. Newspapers and leaflets are types of newsletters. Additionally, newsletters delivered electronically via email have gained rapid acceptance for the same reasons email in...
s, journals
Academic journal
An academic journal is a peer-reviewed periodical in which scholarship relating to a particular academic discipline is published. Academic journals serve as forums for the introduction and presentation for scrutiny of new research, and the critique of existing research...
, book
Book
A book is a set or collection of written, printed, illustrated, or blank sheets, made of hot lava, paper, parchment, or other materials, usually fastened together to hinge at one side. A single sheet within a book is called a leaf or leaflet, and each side of a leaf is called a page...
s and bulletin
Bulletin
Bulletin can refer to:Periodicals * The Bulletin, a now defunct Australian magazine* The Bulletin , an alternative weekly published in Montgomery County, Texas, United States...
s. Its spokespersons feature regularly on TV, radio
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
and in print.
The Society considers that the fundamental justification for any changes to traditional English spelling is that it will improve literacy and reduce learning costs. In addition to being faster for children and foreign students to learn, reform must not place unnecessary obstacles in the way of those already familiar with traditional spelling.
Aims
The Society's main priority at present is to draw attention to the economic and social costs of traditional spelling, with the object of opening up minds to the possibility and desirability of some change. On this matter, the Society believes that recent research, together with the continuing concern of governments in the English-speaking world (ESW) about literacy rates, strengthens its position. In particular it points to evidence that children throughout the ESW take up to three years longer to learn to read and write than children speaking other major Indo-European languages It quotes evidence that dyslexia is less of a problem in countries such as Italy, which have a highly phonemic spelling system compared with English. (English spelling has the unique disadvantage among Indo-European systems of having letter patterns that represent more than one sound and sounds that can be represented by more than one letter pattern – the so-called "spelling double whammy".) Finally, it points to a recent study by the KPMG Foundation that estimates the total costs to the public purse to age 37 arising from failure to read in the primary school years at £1.73 billion to £2.05 billion a year.Specific reform systems
Since 1960, the Society has not endorsed any specific alternative English spelling system. However, through its "Personal View" series, it provides a forum for authors of alternative systems to publish their works and submit them to peer review. These schemes vary from regularising a few words to a nearly 100% phonemic dictionary key spelling. Most schemes fall between these two extremes.The attitude of the Society to this and other aspects of English spelling is set out in a Position Paper that is accessible on the Society's web site. Subjects covered include: the objects of the Society, its attitude to alternative systems, the principles to be followed by alternative systems, a response to the attitude that the obstacles to reform are insurmountable, the responsibilities of Government, the question of an International Spelling Commission, how to deal with regional differences in pronunciation, texting, free spelling, synthetic phonics and other teaching aids, the need for further research and the merits of British v. American spellingsAmerican and British English spelling differences
One of the ways in which American English and British English differ is in spelling.-Historical origins:In the early 18th century, English spelling was not standardized. Differences became noticeable after the publishing of influential dictionaries...
.
In the November 1983 edition of the Society's newsletter, it printed a five-part reform proposal called Stage 1. One of these was Harry Lindgren
Harry Lindgren
Harry Lindgren was a British/Australian engineer, linguist and amateur mathematician. He was born in Newcastle-on-Tyne in England.In 1935 he emigrated to Australia...
's SR1
SR1
Spelling Reform 1 or Spelling Reform step 1 is an English spelling reform proposal advocated by Harry Lindgren. It calls for the short sound to always be spelt with E. For example, friend would become frend and head would become hed...
proposal. In April 1984 they were adopted as the 'house style
Style guide
A style guide or style manual is a set of standards for the writing and design of documents, either for general use or for a specific publication, organization or field...
' of the Society at its yearly meeting
Annual general meeting
An annual general meeting is a meeting that official bodies, and associations involving the public , are often required by law to hold...
. The Society said that the reforms could be used either together or individually (as a step-by-step change). For a description of Stage 1 see SR1#Spelling Reform Stage 1.
Spelling bee protests
Protesters from the Society have regularly taken good-humoured action against orthodox English spelling and its promotion (e.g. by demonstrating, most conspicuously in the form of 'BeeMan,' at the annual Scripps National Spelling BeeScripps National Spelling Bee
The Scripps National Spelling Bee is a highly competitive annual spelling bee in the United States, with participants from other countries as well. It is run on a not-for-profit basis by The E. W...
in Washington DC).
Structure
The Society is based in the United Kingdom, but has a worldwide membership, including Ireland, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It is governed by a Committee elected at its Annual General Meeting. The Society maintains links with the American Literacy Council, which has similar objectives.See also
- English language spelling reform
- Spelling reformSpelling reformMany languages have undergone spelling reform, where a deliberate, often officially sanctioned or mandated, change to spelling takes place. Proposals for such reform are also common....
- Scripps National Spelling BeeScripps National Spelling BeeThe Scripps National Spelling Bee is a highly competitive annual spelling bee in the United States, with participants from other countries as well. It is run on a not-for-profit basis by The E. W...
Books
- Jolly Dictionary: Sue Lloyd and Sara Wernham
- Future of Fonics: Isobel Raven
- fom winde ferweelt (vom winde verfehlt): Ze do Rock
- Spelling for the 21st century : Sanford S. Silverman
- Spelling Dearest (The Down and Dirty, Nitty-Gritty History of English Spelling): Niall McLeod Waldman
- The Book of Spells & Misspells: Valerie Yule
- Lets End Our Literacy Crisis: Bob C. Cleckler