New-York tribune., 1901-07-28
COMMERCIAL MISUNDERSTANDING

COMMERCIAL MISUNDERSTANDING.
The latest plea for reformng-or deformng-
the spelling of the English language, put for
ward at the recent meeting of the American
Pathological Association. is based upon CONNER
cial grounds The reformed spelling would be
cheaper than that which now prevails child
could get through school in two years less, and
would thus much time and the school
fees and other incidental costs for two years.
We should be able to dispense with thousands
of school teachers. The cost of printing and
publishing would be greatly reduced. 1t is esti-
mated that One-sixth of the letters now used
are superfuous Reformed spelling would thus
reduce by one-sixth the cost of printing. A
book which now costs Sc could be produced for
So. A newspaper could get much matter
into five columns as it now gets into six. One
sixth of all writing by hand would be saved, and
one-sixth of all the clicking on typewriting
machines The Government Printing Office
would save $4,000 a year. And so forth
Wherefore. let save money by remOdelling
the language.
This novel and characteristicaly up to date
presentation of the case rresistibly reminds us
of the classic tale of the London firm which
saved $4,000 year on ink by having its clerks
omit to dot their is and to cross their ts. we
are not sure that it has much better basis IN
fact. Beyond doubt it would be cheaper 10
print 'thru" than through" and in that way a
considerable saving of composition, ana also OF
ink and paper might be effected 1t is also
possible that children might learn orthography
more quickly IF tha wer tawt on fonetik prn-
siplz" though of that we are by no means sure
At any rate we seriously doubt whether the
saving would on the average amount to two
years time But what of etymology, which is at
least as important as photography: After Word
has been deprived of every mark and feature
indicative of its Derivation how is the chlld 10
recognize its derivation and thus appreciate It's
real meaning? 1t Is well to be believed that all
which would be gained in spelling would De
lost-and more. too-in the understanding of
the origin, meaning and proper use of words
And this would he true of the foreigner and
the native alike. Much cheap fun has been made
over the perplexity of a foreigner in finding
the same combination of letters pronounced in
three or four different ways. He would be not
bit less perplexed at finding the same COM
bination of letters meaning three or four differ
ent things. Granted that he is perplexed TO
find rain" and rein and reign all pro
nounced alike ii would profit him little to
spell them all ran and then have to fix in
his mind the fact that sometimes ran" meant
water falling from the clouds. sometimes the
strap with which n horse is guided. and some
times the period OF n monarchs occupancy OF
his throne He may wonder why sale" and
sail are sounded alike but ii would not help
him To spell them both sal and then tell him
that the same identical combination of letters
sometimes meant the vending of goods and
sometimes the sheet with which a vessel Is
propelled by the wind.
The commercial argument has. however, no
place in court IL is entirely unworthy of the
case Literature and language are not 10 be
measured by dollars and cents. 1t is not the
cheapest but the best language that Is wanted,
and that which Is best not for rapdity OF
writing nor for cheapness of printing, nor even
for ease OF learning IT, but rather for grace.
accuracy and effectiveness in the expression or
thoughts and OF the finest distinctions and
shadings of thoughts. The perfect language is
not made as the ludicrous fate of much vaunted
''Volapuk" should teach 1t Is n thing OF
growth. In the process of growth 1t undergoes
various changes. in spelling az we'll as in other
particulars But these are effected gradually.
through natural processes. and not by sudden
and arbitrary amputations and graftings. The
English language is passing through such
changes and 1t is the part OF wisdom to recog-
nize the fact and to use all possible influences
toward making those changes benetcent But
any attempt to transform the language at a
stroke on no matter how scientific" prin-
cipes. could have only ridiculous or disastrous
results
1t Is encouraging to see that the fad for
spelling reform is distinctly on the wane.
Despite It's occasional recrudescence, the num-
Der of people who once thought II smart and
q proof Of being a progressive reformer' to
write thru has grown smaller. Scholars are
shv of the reform" and practical people are
equally shy of it, There have been some occur
rences to give emphatic dlscouragement to ILL
balanced enthusiasts who undertook 10 force a
grotesdue confusion of orthography and destruc-
ton of etymology upon lis In the newspapers,
and even in cheap magazines and cheaper
hooks whether we would not. Similar dis
couragement will he salutary in the case of all
who seek to make the English language look
like "pidgin' either for the sake of phonetic
theories or of paltry gains in composition.