Page:Handbook of simplified spelling.djvu/71

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ANSERS TO OBJECTIONS
31

in the Dictionary List in Part 3, distinguisht from the other words by their tipografy.

No "Standard" Spelling
At no time has there been a standard English spelling. What is supposed to be the standard was set up, not by scolars competent to decide what the best spelling should be, but by printers who, for their own convenience and without filologic gidance, accepted—with later modifications—the arbitrary, so-cald "etimologic," and inconsistent orthografy imposed by Dr. Samuel Johnson, as described in Part 1, pp. 7, 8. There never can be a standard spelling of English until the spelling shal accurately represent the pronunciation. Then the standard spelling wil be that which accords with the standard pronunciation (see p. 2).

Merely a Bad Old Fashion
What is cald, and taught as, the standard spelling is really only the fashionable—spelling as capricious and illogical as most fashions ar—which any one is as free to disregard as he is to wear a flexible felt hat insted of a stif silk "stovepipe," a "soft" shirt insted of one with a starcht bosom, comfortable foot-gear insted of shoes with pointed toes, or to adopt any other sensible, convenient, and appropriate attire.

Even if progressiv spelling-reform should temporarily ad to the present confusion, no harm wil be done; but rather good wil follow. In the first place, it wil serv to lessen the false value attaching to ability to spel in a particular, and unreasonable, way; and les time wil be given to attaining skil in what is a mere accomplishment, like turning handsprings or playing the ukulele. In the second, place, when this right of per-