since pronunciation shift, this leads to a drift from semantic (definitional) spelling. At least when you encounter an unknown word in English you can more lik

since pronunciation shift, this leads to a drift from semantic (definitional) spelling. At least when you encounter an unknown word in English you can more likely understand it even if you aren't sure how to pronounce it. Languages with periodic spelling adjustments to re-align spelling with (ever shifting) pronunciation strip this info away. > Spelling in English is so hard we even have a contest for it, the spelling bee! Pfui. In France there is (or was -- I no longer live there) a popular prime time spelling bee, not just for kids.