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ENGLISH SPELLING, AND THE
reasonable usage in respect to the spelling of some words, and to restore former usage when that is better and more reasonable than modern usage. It desires to do this gradually, in keeping with the genius of the language, and progressivly, in accordance with the spirit of the race.
Principles Adopted
Its recommendations, accordingly, hav been based on the following principles:
1)
When current usage offers a choice of spellings, to adopt the shortest and simplest Examples: blest, not blessed (1 sil.); catalog, not catalogue; center, not centre; check, not cheque or checque; gage, not gauge; gram, not gramme; honor, not honour; license, not licence; maneuver, not manoeuvre; mold, not mould; plow, not plough; quartet, not quartette; rime, not rhyme; tho, not though; traveler, not traveller.
2)
Whenever practicable, to omit silent letters. Examples: activ, not active; anser, not answer;bluf, not bluff; definit, not definite; det, not debt; eg, not egg; engin, not engine; frend, not friend; hart, not heart; helth, not health; promis, not promise; scool, not school; shal, not shall; suffraget, not suffragette; thru, not through; trolly, not trolley; yu, not you.
3)
To follow the simpler rather than the more complex of existing analogies. Examples: aker, not acre; buro, not bureau; deciet, not deceit; enuf, not enough; maskerade, not masquerade; spritely, not sprightly; telefone, not telephone; tung, not tongue; wize, not wise.
