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e-speec - Objectives

The idea of changing the spelling of English is not a new idea.

Recently the idea has gone out of favour and some authors have written about the advantages of the present illogical, inconsistent spelling system.

But new knowledge about how the brain processes written words is changing this. The advantages of a spelling system based on the sounds of the letters (a "phonetic" system) are becoming apparent.

Such a system would make the process of learning to read and write much easier and quicker. If 'night' was spelt 'nite' and 'rough' was spelt 'ruf' then children could learn to read and write in about half the time it takes now.

The serious problem of illiteracy in our society would then be largely solved. And dyslexia (reading difficulty) would be almost wiped out.

Of course, it's hard to change a spelling system used by over a billion people.

But if one person decides that 'nite' is a better way to spell than 'night' then the process will have begun. And the possibility of a better life for future generations will have opened up a bit.

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