Opinion
Education Letter to the Editor

Dialects, Spelling Bees, and a Phonetic Alphabet

March 04, 2008 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

To the Editor:

American orthography is, to put it charitably, dysfunctional. Whatever the dialect, neither alphabet nor spelling conforms to our speech. Yet, educators insist on perpetuating these incongruities.

Take as an example spelling bees. Students are rewarded for memorizing arcane patterns of letters only obliquely related to the words they purport to represent. Incredible.

Consider the countless hours already wasted by students in learning an antiquated alphabet in the service of a lunatic orthography. How much useful knowledge could have been acquired instead? And what scholastic advances have been delayed?

My complaint is hardly novel. No less an American than Benjamin Franklin despaired over our “system” of spelling and devised a phonetic alphabet. As I see it, the challenge lies not in creating a phonetic alphabet—there are such aplenty—but in selecting and promoting one.

I urge educators to assess the present plight of American orthography, devise a practical means of transitioning to a phonetic alphabet of choice, and then broadcast their conclusions and implement their recommendations.

Committee, anyone?

Paul Starbuck

Perry, Okla.

A version of this article appeared in the March 05, 2008 edition of Education Week as Dialects, Spelling Bees, and a Phonetic Alphabet

Events

Reading & Literacy K-12 Essentials Forum Reading Instruction Across Content Disciplines
Join this free virtual event to hear from educators and experts implementing innovative strategies in reading across different subjects.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
School & District Management Webinar
Harnessing AI to Address Chronic Absenteeism in Schools
Learn how AI can help your district improve student attendance and boost academic outcomes.
Content provided by Panorama Education
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Science Webinar
Spark Minds, Reignite Students & Teachers: STEM’s Role in Supporting Presence and Engagement
Is your district struggling with chronic absenteeism? Discover how STEM can reignite students' and teachers' passion for learning.
Content provided by Project Lead The Way

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Education Quiz Education Week News Quiz: Nov. 26, 2024
Test your knowledge on the latest news and trends in education.
1 min read
Small Business Administration administrator Linda McMahon attends a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Aug. 16, 2018, in Washington.
Small Business Administration administrator Linda McMahon attends a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Aug. 16, 2018, in Washington.
Andrew Harnik/AP
Education Briefly Stated: October 23, 2024
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
9 min read
Education Briefly Stated: October 2, 2024
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
8 min read
Education Briefly Stated: September 18, 2024
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
9 min read