Spelling and Pronunciation

[axxolotl]

I'm sure some of you have seen it, especially those who have studied
phonetics; the rest of you.....good luck!


We all know that spelling is not a certain guide to pronunciation in English,
but what follows is the best possible reminder of just how uncertain a guide
it is.

The verses below were written during the War by a Hollander whose knowledge
of British English, as will be noticed, was extensive. They were published
in London in the newspaper 'Vrij Nederland', the temporary organ of the Free
Netherlands community in exile.


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[Gość: ms jones]

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdgnieg.

The phaonmeal pweor of the human mnid Aodccrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde
Uinervtisy, it dnsoe't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a word are, the olny
iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The
rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is
bcuseae the hmuan mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrodas a
wlohe.

Azmanig, huh? I awlyas tghuoht slpeling was ipmorantt.

[axxolotl]

Do you think teachers would go for it? :))