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Well more the movement that removed the U from words such as colour and flavour, and other changes that differentiate US English from UK English.
I grew up in a country where you never wore your pants or vests on the outside, and the pavement was what you walked on.
However, the differences of UK to US English have been done to death so let's leave it there.
Claire
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+cphilpott=ppf -dot- com -dot- cy -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+cphilpott=ppf -dot- com -dot- cy -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of McLauchlan, Kevin
Sent: 23 April 2010 20:25
To: David Neeley; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: Let's start a movement! was: Re: Microsoft Manual of Style question
I'm sure we all recall this righteous attempt:
A Plan for the Improvement of English Spelling
by Mark Twain
For example, in Year 1 that useless letter "c" would be dropped to be replased either by "k" or "s", and likewise "x" would no longer be part of the alphabet. The only kase in which "c" would be retained would be the "ch" formation, which will be dealt with later. Year 2 might reform "w" spelling, so that "which" and "one" would take the same konsonant, wile Year 3 might well abolish "y" replasing it with "i" and Iear 4 might fiks the "g/j" anomali wonse and for all. Jenerally, then, the improvement would kontinue iear bai iear with Iear 5 doing awai with useless double konsonants, and Iears 6-12 or so modifaiing vowlz and the rimeining voist and unvoist konsonants. Bai Iear 15 or sou, it wud fainali bi posibl tu meik ius ov thi ridandant letez "c", "y" and "x" -- bai now jast a memori in the maindz ov ould doderez -- tu riplais "ch", "sh", and "th" rispektivli. Fainali, xen, aafte sam 20 iers ov orxogrefkl riform, wi wud hev a lojikl, kohirnt speling in ius xrewawt xe Ingliy-spiking werld.
Izat wat iu had in mind?
> -----Original Message-----
> From:
> techwr-l-bounces+kevin -dot- mclauchlan=safenet-inc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr
-l.com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+kevin.mclauchlan=safenet-> inc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of David Neeley
> Sent: Friday, April 23, 2010 2:36 AM
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: Let's start a movement! was: Re: Microsoft Manual of
> Style question
>
> > From: kafkascampi <kafkascampi -at- gmail -dot- com>
>
> >
> > The style guide we use (that I wrote) calls for "email" but
> I was thinking
> > the other day that when this is extended to "ereader" it
> doesn't work as
> > well as "e-reader". I crave consistency!
> >
> > Chris
>
> When it comes to English as a constantly-evolving language, be careful
> that you do't fall prey to that which Emerson observed:
> "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by
> little statesmen and philosophers and divines."
> (from Essays. First Series. Self-Reliance)
>
> Consistency within a particular document or a firm's series of
> documents is fine, but expecting consistency over time as language
> changes is a futile hope, much to the chagrin of many of us.
>
> Prepnding "e" in place fo the former "electronic" is no more confusing
> than the ubiquitous "i" in place of "Internet"--although one might
> wonder why a hyphen rather than an apostrophe for omitted material?
>
> (I know--let's start a fashion and make it "e'mail"!)
>
> Personally, I believe we should start a formal movement to regularize
> and simplify English spelling. Wouldn't it be better to get in front
> of a trend that is happening anyway, rather than trying to fight a
> rearguard action that is ultimately doomed to failure?
>
> In my opinion, replacing the current miasma of arcane rules that still
> must in many cases be reduced to a memorization task involving all the
> exceptions with a far more phonetic spelling would surely be a boon to
> students of all ages, and particularly for those learning English as a
> second language. It would also fit right in with all those of the IM
> and Twitter generation, as well as being environmentally helpful by
> reducing the amount of printing ink and paper used.
>
> Of course, it would also greatly contribute to consistency...
>
> David
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