Short Stuff: Simple Spelling Movement
Stuff You Should Know Podcast Recap
Published:
Duration: 12 min
Summary
The episode discusses historical movements aimed at simplifying English spelling, highlighting efforts by figures like Teddy Roosevelt. Despite various attempts, the complexity of English spelling remains largely unchanged.
What Happened
English has long been criticized for its complex spelling rules, leading to various movements to simplify spelling. One notable attempt was led by Teddy Roosevelt in 1906, who issued an executive order mandating the use of simplified spelling in federal documents. This experiment was supported by prominent figures like Andrew Carnegie and Mark Twain.
Roosevelt's initiative faced significant backlash, including mockery in newspapers and political cartoons. His opponents in Congress were quick to criticize the move, particularly because Roosevelt bypassed them with his executive order. Facing an upcoming election, Roosevelt eventually withdrew his support for the simplified spelling initiative.
The complexity of English spelling is evident in words like 'caught' and 'drought,' where the same letters can produce different sounds. This inconsistency makes English a challenging language to learn, and it's a reason why spelling bees are predominantly an English-speaking phenomenon.
Historically, other notable figures like Noah Webster and Benjamin Franklin also advocated for simplified spelling. However, their efforts were met with resistance, as people were reluctant to change the established norms of English spelling.
Edward Rondthaler revived the idea in the 1970s, suggesting that simplifying spelling could reduce illiteracy and even crime rates. He believed that computers could aid in this transition by automatically converting text to simplified spelling.
Despite these efforts, the literacy rate in America is high, with 99% basic literacy. However, functional literacy is lower, with 21% of Americans unable to navigate complex written materials, highlighting the ongoing challenges in English literacy.
Key Insights
- Teddy Roosevelt's 1906 initiative for simplified spelling was supported by influential figures but failed due to public and political backlash.
- English spelling irregularities, such as in words like 'caught' and 'drought,' contribute to the language's difficulty and are a unique challenge compared to other languages.
- Simplified spelling movements have been advocated by prominent figures like Noah Webster and Benjamin Franklin but have consistently faced resistance.
- Edward Rondthaler proposed that simplifying English spelling could reduce illiteracy and crime, leveraging emerging computer technology to facilitate the transition.