A History of the English Language - A Companion Site

Chapter 2: English Spelling, Sounds, and Grammar

Section 1 of this chapter offers examples of spelling irregularities and section 2 describes some of the reasons behind them. Section 3 introduces the phonetic alphabet, which represents spoken language as accurately as possible, and section 4 provides background information on phonetics, which helps explain many of the changes that have occurred in English. Section 5 discusses morphology and syntax since they are relevant to the linguistic changes discussed later in the book.

Useful Links

International Phonetic Alphabet

The International Phonetic Association provides the definitive IPA reference.

The sounds can be heard at the site of the late Peter Ladefoged.

You can see where the sounds are made on Daniel Currie Hall's site.

The Great Vowel Shift

Furman University has an extensive site covering many aspects of the shift.

Harvard University also offers a page on the GVS, including helpful recordings of the vowels involved.

NPR's "All Things Considered" offers a recording of a radio program about the shift.

English Spelling and Spelling Reform

Hau tu pranownse Inglish provides a detailed analysis of the rules of English spelling -- all 56 of them.

The Simplified Spelling Society offers arguments and information about English spelling reform.

David Barnsdale also has a page arguing for spelling reform.

Why are the words on this list `mispronounced'?