04-04-2004, 06:05 PM
Hi,
So we should all speak pictographic languages instead of pictophonetic ones?
As I look at the screen of my computer, I see icons. Many, many icons. Soon, we'll be dreaming in icons -- and that *is* a nightmare ;)
Of course, part of the problem is trying to spell a Germanic language with a Latin alphabet. Part of the problem is freezing the spelling but continuing to change the pronunciation. Part of the problem is stealing words from other languages, but keeping the other language's spelling for the word (wouldn't "shatowe" make more sense?).
But the main part of the problem is that if we were to regularize the English language (perhaps generating an appropriate alphabet to do so), browbeaten children of anal parents would no longer waste their childhood at spelling bees. And the demise of any form of competition is looked upon here in the USA as a far greater evil than universal ignorance (which is actually praised).
--Pete
So we should all speak pictographic languages instead of pictophonetic ones?
As I look at the screen of my computer, I see icons. Many, many icons. Soon, we'll be dreaming in icons -- and that *is* a nightmare ;)
Of course, part of the problem is trying to spell a Germanic language with a Latin alphabet. Part of the problem is freezing the spelling but continuing to change the pronunciation. Part of the problem is stealing words from other languages, but keeping the other language's spelling for the word (wouldn't "shatowe" make more sense?).
But the main part of the problem is that if we were to regularize the English language (perhaps generating an appropriate alphabet to do so), browbeaten children of anal parents would no longer waste their childhood at spelling bees. And the demise of any form of competition is looked upon here in the USA as a far greater evil than universal ignorance (which is actually praised).
--Pete
How big was the aquarium in Noah's ark?