tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post8827569824819325519..comments2024-03-29T09:16:30.082-04:00Comments on Writers Who Kill: The Illogical English LanguageJim Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-12662919646852017832013-07-25T04:56:30.140-04:002013-07-25T04:56:30.140-04:00Hi. English can seem a bit illogical, but there ar...Hi. English can seem a bit illogical, but there are pretty simple explanations for why the apparent irregularities occur. David Crystal wrote a book called Spell It Out on the history of English spelling. Also I wrote a book called If Houses Why Not Mouses?, which explains amongst other things, the sound change in pronounce/pronunciation - that's actually a perfectly regular pattern of vowel weakening when extra syllables are added. You also see it when the word "fact" gets a prefix and becomes de-fect/per-fect etc, not de-fact/per-fact. Check out my book here <br /><br />http://www.amazon.com/If-Houses-Why-Not-Mouses/dp/1909395595/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374742483&sr=8-1&keywords=if+houses+why+not+mouses<br /><br />Best wishes<br /><br />Damian O'BrienAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-92199490447289236372012-07-25T19:12:07.907-04:002012-07-25T19:12:07.907-04:00I haven't watched those, Warren, but I have he...I haven't watched those, Warren, but I have heard some of the words the contestants are required to spell, & yes, I've not heard of most of those, either.Alyx Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01815592165482269572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-49429431016885102692012-07-25T15:08:55.287-04:002012-07-25T15:08:55.287-04:00When I watch the national spelling bee on televisi...When I watch the national spelling bee on television, I can't spell or define almost any of the words.Warren Bullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07789270258599769915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-11186561288460231212012-07-25T13:59:20.266-04:002012-07-25T13:59:20.266-04:00Nine, Kara? Yikes! I knew there were a lot, but ...Nine, Kara? Yikes! I knew there were a lot, but not that many. Seems over the top, somehow.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by today.Alyx Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01815592165482269572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-83084562612035193602012-07-25T13:58:28.647-04:002012-07-25T13:58:28.647-04:00I always knew you had a twisted sense of humor, Da...I always knew you had a twisted sense of humor, Dana. ;o)<br /><br />I agree that I'm glad it's my first, too. But it would be easier to learn other languages if I understood my own, first.Alyx Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01815592165482269572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-6060035887230242722012-07-25T13:09:36.724-04:002012-07-25T13:09:36.724-04:00I admire people who learn (or teach) English as a ...I admire people who learn (or teach) English as a second language. I read that "ough" in a word can be pronounced nine different ways. How confusing!Kara Cerisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16484336785514235707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-25439132267671252742012-07-25T13:05:51.858-04:002012-07-25T13:05:51.858-04:00I love the English language for all of these reaso...I love the English language for all of these reasons. It's fun, if frustrating! I'm just glad it's my first language 'cause ti would be a bitch to learn!Dana Fredstihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12802936840624512415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-678220900660083022012-07-25T12:44:55.744-04:002012-07-25T12:44:55.744-04:00It's good that you find them interesting, Madd...It's good that you find them interesting, Maddy. I'm sure an etymologist would be fascinated with our language, since it is a mixture of so many other languages (as JC said). But I'm no etymologist. :)<br /><br />Thanks for reading today.Alyx Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01815592165482269572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-56728454189384911252012-07-25T12:37:13.517-04:002012-07-25T12:37:13.517-04:00My daughter teachers in a charter school where Eng...My daughter teachers in a charter school where English is the second language and my son-in -law is Brazilian [Portuguese] and we're always finding the most ludicrous anomalies- more interesting though.Maddyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05828186178060722812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-9695962645293445442012-07-25T11:28:27.910-04:002012-07-25T11:28:27.910-04:00LOL How right you are, JC.
Thanks for stopping b...LOL How right you are, JC.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by today.Alyx Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01815592165482269572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-62108732664775612442012-07-25T10:52:17.063-04:002012-07-25T10:52:17.063-04:00I guess the easiest explanation as to why English ...I guess the easiest explanation as to why English is so illogical is because it's a mixture of so many languages!<br /><br />We use words from French, German, Indian, Gaelic, Scandinavian languages... the list goes on. It's no wonder there are no hard and fast rules! That's why I hate it when people start harking on about 'proper' English. There really is no such thing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com