3 ms·

You’re right, anyone would have an easier time learning a language with actual spelling rules, not just those with reading difficulties. Nonetheless, phonics-b

by Jolter 3y ago

You’re right, anyone would have an easier time learning a language with actual spelling rules, not just those with reading difficulties. Nonetheless, phonics-based learning is better for any language.

gnicholas 3y ago
All languages have "actual spelling rules". What makes English more complex is that it borrows from various different types of languages, so inherits different sets of rules. And of course, many English speakers are unaware of whether a particular word has Germanic or Latin roots. As for whether phonics-based instruction is better than alternative systems for any language, I wouldn't be so bold as to make that claim (I work in literacy). It is quite possible that in some languages, the phonological rules are sufficiently simple that it isn't necessary to spend much time on phonics, and instead to do more of a "balanced-literacy" type approach. This does not work well with English, but it's possible the tradeoffs are significantly different in other languages.
- Jolter 3y ago
  Yes, I was being a bit facetious with the remark about spelling rules. I was guessing if I stated "English has an unusually defective orthography", people would not get what I meant. But since you work in education, you probably do. If you have a language where a learner cannot derive spelling from phonetics, or phonetics from spelling, a learner instead has to memorize the spelling _and_ pronunciation of every word. This is highly unusual, and suboptimal! My hyperbolic statement was that, from the perspectice of the learner, there might as well not be any spelling rules because you have to memorize everything by rote. I don't know why English spelling reform has never happened (AFAIK) but it's for sure making life a lot more difficult for dyslectics or people with learning disabilities.

3 ms·

You’re right, anyone would have an easier time learning a language with actual spelling rules, not just those with reading difficulties. Nonetheless, phonics-b

by Jolter 3y ago

gnicholas 3y ago
All languages have "actual spelling rules". What makes English more complex is that it borrows from various different types of languages, so inherits different sets of rules. And of course, many English speakers are unaware of whether a particular word has Germanic or Latin roots. As for whether phonics-based instruction is better than alternative systems for any language, I wouldn't be so bold as to make that claim (I work in literacy). It is quite possible that in some languages, the phonological rules are sufficiently simple that it isn't necessary to spend much time on phonics, and instead to do more of a "balanced-literacy" type approach. This does not work well with English, but it's possible the tradeoffs are significantly different in other languages.
- Jolter 3y ago
  Yes, I was being a bit facetious with the remark about spelling rules. I was guessing if I stated "English has an unusually defective orthography", people would not get what I meant. But since you work in education, you probably do. If you have a language where a learner cannot derive spelling from phonetics, or phonetics from spelling, a learner instead has to memorize the spelling _and_ pronunciation of every word. This is highly unusual, and suboptimal! My hyperbolic statement was that, from the perspectice of the learner, there might as well not be any spelling rules because you have to memorize everything by rote. I don't know why English spelling reform has never happened (AFAIK) but it's for sure making life a lot more difficult for dyslectics or people with learning disabilities.