The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1859-03-17
MisrellanU.
Ear the Potter LoVrRal.
Letters on Phonetfes. No. 40.
DIjcr,joy on the score Of 13ubiqUifY.

Letters on PhOneffes. No. 40.
Oijcctioa on tie score Of Anbiguity.
1t is urged by the objecter, that, as
many or our words which are sounded
alike, differ in Ihejr speIIlngs and have a
corresponding difference in their signii-
cations, agd these distinctions would be
lost if phonetic spelling should prevail.
For instance | have been asked how /
should spell the words pronounced "rtght
in the following sentence: g Mr.. Wright,
please to urite the rites of England and
spell it right" | answer, in the words
rSfsrred to only three sounds exist and OF
course only three letters are required
using let er ii to represent the sound OF
in "pine" | would spell it each time r-i-t
But, says our objeetor, how will you know
the meaning of the words Answering
the tion in Yankee style, ask how
would you know the meanings if use
these words in talking to you But we
are not satisfied with thus disposiDg Of
the objection. Let Us examine its mer-
its little.
If every difference of meaning were
Disseminated by difference of spelling,
or if the differences of spelling were orig
inally intended to draw attention to and
distinguish the differences of meaning,
the objection would have some weight.
Neither is the case. five read of "many
dancing at JaH' and johnny kicking
ut ball." does "at a baN' mean the
same thing in both seBtences--they are
spelled precisely alike. If we admire
Mr. Bradburys "0trs" are they his mt
SIC or his mdRl sS.
"If man of light weight with a light
colored hat, tights from a carriage with a
light heart, enters light room carrying
Hyhtbundle, light a cigar and display light
manners, is it a light error" These
words are all spelled qiike but their mean
ing is entirely diterent The word 'P.ghf'
mas more than forty different mca"tags
Then according to the objection it should
have forty different spelings. 81 r,ghtyou
with my right hand to a right line, that
you may be right" 81 sat in a JoY win
dow and saw a bay horse standing under
Il bay tree on the banks Of the Joy eating
hay that [ took from the J0y."
But let US turn the picture. There are
not only in the Romanic spelling many
words pronounced alike when spelled diff T.
ferently, but pronounced differently when
spelled alike Thus, 81 lcad person to
n lead mine" In 81 read my book" who
can tell whether the word read should be
called reed or red the context will not
inform, and it is a perfect sentence. In
the Phonetic system we should not be
left in doubt a single second.
Now we ask the candid reader who has
followed US through our investigations, if
our present system is not faulty one
and needs reforming? And are the
claims of the phonetic system reasonable :?
We have cndeayored to state the subject
fairly. Reader, we ask fair, candid and
impartial examination on your part, and
then if YOU are satisfied that our position
is right give US your influence to forward .
this great and glorious reform.
We cordially thank the Editor of the
Journal for opening his columns to us,
and if thought proper, we may offer a let
ter or so on the subject Of Photography, /
Yours Sincerely, PHoNo.
four C)lumns are open to all reasonably .
conducted discussion, and we cordially
invite the papers on Phonogaaphy.-ED. |
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