Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 January 1878 — Revision of English Spelling. [ARTICLE]

Revision of English Spelling.

At the annual meeting of the AmericaivTldlological Society, held, recently, at the Cooper Union, the Rev. D. PT Lindsley gave an address on the present aspect of the spelling reform, of which the following is an abstract: The speaker assumed that such a reform was in progress, and needed no longer ally defense. The need of some amendment of the irregularities of our spelling is generally conceded. These .irregularities are in the way of the edu--cation of—our—youth. Theyroboffr' children of three or four years of the best part of their life, hinder the education of the illiterate classes and impose an unnecessary burden upon all. They embarrass missionary operations, and hinder the spread of the English language throughout the world. The most learned linguists both of England and America are now in favor of reform. The only questions are, is a reform feasible, and if so, in what way can it be best brought about? Both questions may be resolved into one, for it is feasible if properly tajtempted, though confessedly impracticable on the ohl phonetic theory of the last generation. Any change must be for a time inconvenient, but flie pressing necessity of the reform outweighs the transient inconveniences of the transition period.

The reform, he said, must be gradual. No perfected scheme can be introduced, for the old spelling and the new must be used side by side, for at least a generation, and they nurst be near enough together to be intelligible to all. The young must be able to read the old books, and the old must find the new literature readable without special study. The principal schemes of revision that have been offered were then classified and discussed at length—the new letter and digraphic schemes being I hose most prominent. These,. though attempting the work in a diffierdfil Way, both contain excellent features and can be merged into one practical system .of spelling, upon which all could unite. We need not be afraid of conflicting views. All the theories put forth are useful, as they tend to throw light upon the questions involved. The labors of all are needed, and all can work together, no matter what special theories they may have on the subject. The plan of revision, however, which is the most practical, is that followed by the revisers of our translation of the Bible. As they make the present translation the basis, and correct its errors, so we must make our present orthography tjhe basis, and amend and improve it, instead of endeavoring to make a new orthography.— N. Y. Observer.