New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-07-01
The Language Beform-Phonograp and
PhoBOIypy.

The Language HefOrm-PhOnOgraphy and
PhoDOIypy.
We haves spoken generally Of the scope Of and
necessity for Reform in Written Language; we
proceed to give some fuller idea OF the process
It's uses and its progress.
Ph0a0graDhy is the science of writing every
word exactly as it is pronounced Ploaotypy is
that Of Printing in like manner The Phono.
graphic characters differ somewhat in form from
the Phonotypic in accordance with the demands
Of convenience in writing and of compactness in
printing. The end in either case is the precise
expression of ideas by means OF the iewest char
acters possible each character representing
sound or primitive element Of language. The
word ought, for example we spell with five let
ters when there should be but two through
should be spelt with three letters and then with
a proper alphabet no one who bad learned the
first rudiments OF photography could possibly mis-
take It's pronunciation now we take six letters
70 spell IT,, and make such Of it that rule
exists whereby learner who first encounters it
can tel in which of five or six ways it should be
pronounced. We 60 long way round to reach
our goal and are in thick fog when we arrive.
If the Photographic and Phonotypic reform
were once effected not only would the process OF
learning 10 read and write be immensely short
ened and simplifed, but a great many other bene-
hts would be realized. In the first place the
snsee occupied by any article or work in print
would be onef fifth less than now a book now OF
i've hundred pages would be printed in four hun
dred, at proportionato saving oflabor, paper and
cost The space thus saved in thecoumns ofThe Tr-
hume. for instance, would be worth some thousands
of dollars per annum. The saving to this country
~ mere economy of printing alone, could not be
less than One Million Dollars per aunum. and
would probably be much more.
The Photographic principle has already been
extensively adopted in Reporting Speeches, &c.
for the Press, and with signal benefit, as our read
ers have reason to know. The labor OF Reporting
diminished while It's accuracy is increased-in
what manner we have already Indicated In allu-
sion to this reform, the London Times lately
replied TO complaint by the Marquis Of
Westmeath Of interpreting on the part Of that
paper. that when this reform shall have be
come more general, the Westmeaths of the day
might be still less content and sigh for the return
Of the inaccuracy and laundering Of the old occu-
pants Of the Reporters Gallery. The saving of
time labor, and expense by Photography is OF
course not confined to Printing and Reporting.
All Correspondence, Accounts, Law Papers, Doc
uments &c. will in like manner be shortened aud
simphfed.
We have hitherto glanced at the gigantic oh
stacles which frowned upon the Reform of Writ
ten Language at the outset and STILL though less
powerfully retard its progress 1t could only have
HI Il,
persevering advocates These il has found in
Messrs. Andrews Boyle, who separately en-
braoed the idea OF this Reform as soon as 1t was
presented 10 them. and resolved to devote their
best energies to lis dissemination. This was some
SIX or seven years ago, and they are both young
men still They were strangers until Photography |
brought them together soon after which they be-
came friends and associates Since that time /
they have travelled, lectured, taught, wrote and
published with ceaseless activity. Their success,
N disseminating even Photography, has surpassed
hat OF Mr.. Pitman in Great Britain, though his
has been cheering. In Phonotypy or the science
IF Phonetics generally, they had no teachers, and
rave no superiors. They have formed classes
and won public attention in nearly all the cities
II the Union and their converts are on all sides
numerous, enthusiastic and abiding. The estab-
ishment Of their newspaper TIN ANGLo-SAX-
oS, marks an era in the history of the Reform
lad the fact that this paper Just entering upon
is second volume, has already nearly Six Thou
and subscribers, is evidence alike of the ca
1acity of its conductors and OF the wide aud
leaTiy appreciation OF Photography. Probably
anger number Of Teachers take this than any other
PAPER in the country. 1t is neat and fair weekly
f moderate size almost entirely printed in the
'honotypic character, filed in part with matter
lirecty commencing the Reform, but in part also
With choice Literature, Miscellany and the News
4 the Day. He who has it, though away from all
ther teachers, may first acquire the science him
elf aud soon be qualified for imparting it to 9th
rs. Each number has the Alphabet, the few
nipple explanations needed and abundance Of
raotical Illustrations. For the Causes sake We
ope It's circulation may soon be doubled. and that
rosperity will ever attend the Science. the paper
nd the truly deserving publishers
lowA.-The Loco Focos of the Ist Congressional
Il