be made a satisfactory instrument for recording the sounds of English speech.
A choice of two ways lies open to those who would undertake the task. They may elect to reform our spelling suddenly or gradually—by immediate adoption of a fonetic scheme of notation, or by progressiv elimination of present irregularities.
Fonetic Goal
The Simplified Spelling Board has put itself on record as recognizing that the ultimate goal of the movement is, and must logically be, a fonetic alfabet with enuf letters to represent, at least approximately, each separate sound heard in the standard English speech. By "standard English speech" is ment English as spoken by those whose training and scolarship entitle them to be considerd as authorities on the subject; and among whom—whether American, British Insular, or British Colonial—there is substantial agreement. This standard pronunciation is recorded, likewize with substantial agreement, in the leading dictionaries by means of various "keys to pronunciation." These "keys" ar, in fact, fairly accurate, tho inconvenient, and in only one instance sientifically simple, schemes of fonetic notation.
Reasons for Gradual Approach
It may reasonably be askt why the Board, having this ideal goal in view, advocates its attainment by gradual approach rather than at a single bound. The anser is, for the same reason that we walk across the street insted of leaping from curb to curb. The one is the customary, natural method of reaching our destination, and one that experience has shown to be wel
