Cut Spelling

Chris Upward wrote a book about his idea of a spelling system. He says that an ideal spelling system would match letters to speech-sounds. He remarks that the English language does not have a good spelling system. Yet he acknowledges that a change in this system would mean a great cut in literacy and education of the society because everyone would have to start learning from the very beginning again. Therefore he favors a new spelling that is close to the old one, so people who already know the old spelling can easily adapt to the new one. His idea is to cut out redundant letters. This system is called Cut Spelling. The Simplified Spelling Society first introduced it in a book in 1992. The origins of Cut Spelling lie in the 1970s when the Australian Psychologist Valerie Yule mentions the many redundant letters in the English alphabet. From then on linguists have studied those letters and the effects of removing them from words. Chris Upward calls this system a "promising new approach to the English spelling problem that is flexible enough to be adapted to public demand." (from: Introducing Cut Spelling ).What he presents in this essay and in his book is quiet an interesting idea. He also writes some paragraphs in cut spelling. One has to admit: it is not hard to read. However, reading cut spelling might be only possible to experienced readers. We rather guess than really read because we already know the words. There are no tests in this article that prove that beginners, such as students in first grade, are more likely to be able to acquire cut spelling than normal spelling. Especially children who are in, say forth or fifth grade, could have enormous problems, learning the alphabet and learning correct spelling. Upward emphasizes that beginners in school should not have any problems acquiring the cut spelling. It should even be easier because of "its improved regularity (eg. Hav, wer, little, nyt, scool, frend)." (Examples are taken from: Introducing Cut Spelling) Upward suggests his guide to cut spelling . He thinks that for literate learners it is a very useful guide to write and read fluently after a short time. Unfortunately no proof is provided. Upward also points out that the loss of redundant letters would save 10% of time when writing and reading. It also saves space in books and other presenting material, so it lowers material costs.

A similar system is called "Faster Spelling". This system is also based on cutting out redundant letters. It is a system that literates can benefit from. (Example: Faster Spelling, Fastr Spelling, Fastr spelng) Its main aim is to improve the efficiency and speed of readers and writers. As a consequence, teaching methods of English should be easier to apply. Over 240 spelling for English vowel sounds will be reduced to 48. "Faster Spelling" argues that it is no shame to make spelling mistakes because even high-educated people, such as professors or journalists, have spelling problems.