The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-11-19
THE USE OF PHONETIC SPELLING.
Prof. Carrothsrs Further Explains His
system for the Japanese.

Prof Carrothsrs Further Explains His
system for the japanese.
Prof. G. Carrothers, the Japanese in
terpreter, who is about to return to Ioko-
hama to resume his work teacher in
the schools and to promote the use of
phonetic spelling and writing IN his En-
gish classes. saws he was misquoted in
yesterdays PosT-INrKLLIeENcFR in that he
favored the Burnz system of reformed
spelling. Concerning this matter he said
yesterday:
after years of study on this i'm portant
subject i am in favor of the only logical
plan proposed, viz, that first introduced
by Isaac Pitman. of England, and I'm
proved and carried out in America under
the leadership of Elias Longley, formerly
of Cincinnati, o., now of Los Angeles, Cal.
The letters used are known as The Gin
einnati Alphabet In this alphabet all
the old letters of our present alphabet, ex-
cepting C. q. K. are used. These, as being
redundant, are discarded. c represents 5.
as in cent or as IN cat; q Tor rather qu)
stands for XIV, as in queen. while takes
the place OF as in xeoec OF ks as in AK, or
OF az as In exact. The forty-three distinct
and separate sounds of the English alpha
bet are represented by the twenty old
letters Excepting c, q and x) and twenty
new letters, thus giving to each separate
sound its own letter and making that
letter 10 always stand for that sound alone.
This is the ideal alphabet of all spelling
reformers, the other schemes proposed
being intended as temporary arrangements
10 educate the people of this country and
England up TO the adoption of a single let
ter alphabet. Thus Mrs. Burnz, whose
scheme was presented in this mornings
article, in recent letter 10 the writer
says.
"'For the japanese or any nation whose
language has TO receive its first dress. a
truly phonetic alphabet should be used,
only employing our Roman letters IS far
as they will go
THAT English spelling needs reform
will be conceded by every person reading
and writing our language. So confusing
are the sounds OF the vowel letters. and SO
MANY are the silent letters used that the
pronunciation of a word IS no guide TO its
spelling, and the spelling no guide to the
pronunciation. We find fault with the
Chinese for using a separate letter or char
acteT Tor every word IN their language,
while our imperfect mode OF representa-
tion requires US 10 learn by rote the spell
ing Of each word in our own language.
Thus. 10 illustrate the many ways We
have representing our simple vowel sound
u Is said that the sound of
o, IS IN no. NAV be expressed IN twenty
different WAYS. Who knows when he sees
/ common word read should he pronounced
rel or redc Who can pronounce cor
rectly any new name OF a person or place
when flrst seeing II in print9 OR, who on
hearing such word pronounced can spell
IL correctlyf
hy then, do not the Americans and
the English, the two most progressive peo-
Pie IN the word, reform their spe!isng2
Ihey are reforming It Spelling reform
leagues are established throughout both
countries and tae reform WORK - progress
lug rapidly. L ader one scheme or another
II has found lss say into schools, printing
offices. and tae balls Of parliament aud
congress. Educators. publishers. states
men and PERSONS ia al relations of society
aFs found advocating * The old ruS Of
habit seems % be the chief thing retarding
II Time S3il sareiy bging il about. Per
hAps, wiki al our boosted progress
the japanese, who are exhibiting Thei
proves n war. may take Ihs lead or
~ N tais great reform. The Chinese chart
Aciers anu their own syllable letters silg
probably ere locs be abandoned sad re-
paced. Is Is hoped. not BY oar imperfect,
confusing alphabet, hat hy the reformed
and philosophical phonetic letters. Should
this result e brought a5out IL should rot
be aItr.ou TED 70 the lAbors OF anv for
eisners. bat malaiv 70 the progressive
spirit o. Jap Auese educators"
Another error WAs that the system OF
pAoaeiic spelling requires n al forty
isree letters instead Of fogty-elght
Ispsnese aaatas Plant. and AninaIs
Among the interesting evidences Of lap
snese culture AMI scientific attAinmenIs
IN the possession Of Prof & Carrothers.
the japanese tRterpFsser. Is she system OF
htAoxraphle charts showing in colors the
principal aquatic animals aad plants OF
Tie empire. published BY the japanese
government Pros. Carrothers Ia. four
q these charts ct one series. showing IN
al IA drawings from life Of flshes. sea
pants and al ulaaner 81 aquatic animals
'Eofa TIE seal 10 the Whale. the com
psFsnve ere q The fgures on tAe
charts being designated by num6ers Tas
charts Ars issued ey the japanese xoyera-