Do you think English is a phonetic language?

Do you think English is a phonetic language?

It is important to understand that English is not a phonetic language. So we often do not say a word the same way it is spelled. Some words can have the same spelling but different pronunciation, for example: I like to read [ri:d].

How does the phonetic spelling in the dictionary help you?

Phonetic spelling can help speakers or presenters know how to properly pronounce people’s names or unfamiliar words, such as unfamiliar jargon. For example, medical terminology includes many complex words that can be hard to pronounce. Phonetic spelling is a sound-based pronunciation guide for such terms.

What is English phonetics?

Phonetics is the branch of linguistics that examines sounds in a language. Phonetics describes these sounds using the symbols of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). It has many letters with two or more sounds and many letters that are silent.

Why English spelling is illogical?

The English spelling system developed over the centuries and the irregularities came about because of various invaders and writers trying to fit their alphabet and sounds to English: English developed from the Anglo-Saxons & Vikings from northern Germany and Scandinavia.

What is the importance of spelling and spelling reform?

It seeks to change English orthography so that it is more consistent, matches pronunciation better, and follows the alphabetic principle. Common motives for spelling reform include quicker learning, cheaper learning, and making English more useful as an international auxiliary language.

What is meant by English being phonetic?

Always remember that English is not “phonetic”. That means that we do not always say a word the same way that we spell it. Some words can have the same spelling but different pronunciation, for example: I like to read /ri:d/

How can pronunciation help the English speakers?

If you’re super over the top in your pronunciation, you’ll become more and more aware of the shape of your mouth and the placement of your tongue when you make that sound. Believe it or not, exaggerating these sounds will likely make it easier for native speakers to understand you.

Is it possible to spell English words phonetically?

Technically we could spell English words phonetically tomorrow. All we would need to do is substitute the pronunciation guides next to each word in the dictionary for the word itself. But there is a limit to how much of a headache anyone is willing to put up with. Turning English phonetic has been actually attempted, before.

Is it possible to turn English into a phonetic alphabet?

Turning English phonetic has been actually attempted, before. The Simplified Spelling Board was formed in 1906 with a grant from Andrew Carnegie. They were going to attempt to form an easier and more unified language, and started out with quite a lot of popular support.

Why do we have such a hard time spelling the Canterbury Tales?

The Canterbury Tales, or at least the language that produce them, is one of the reasons why we’re having a tough job spelling in the first place. We’ve long been in the habit of grabbing whatever we want from whatever language gets close enough — and it’s left us with a lot of different words, many of which have very different origins.