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For example, in Year 1 that useless letter 'c' would be dropped to be replased either by 'k' or 's', and likewise 'x' would no longer be part of the alphabet. The only kase in which 'c' would be retained would be the 'ch' formation, which will be dealt with later. Year 2 might reform 'w' spelling, so that 'which' and 'one' would take the same konsonant, wile Year 3 might well abolish 'y' replasing it with 'i' and Iear 4 might fiks the 'g/j' anomali wonse and for all. Jenerally, then, the improvement would kontinue iear bai iear with Iear 5 doing awai with useless double konsonants, and Iears 6-12 or so modifaiing vowlz and the rimeining voist and unvoist konsonants. Bai Iear 15 or sou, it wud fainali bi posibl tu meik ius ov thi ridandant letez 'c', 'y' and 'x' - bai now jast a memori in the maindz ov ould doderez - tu riplais 'ch', 'sh', and 'th' rispektivli. Fainali, xen, aafte sam 20 iers ov orxogrefkl riform, wi wud hev a lojikl, kohirnt speling in ius xrewawt xe Ingliy-spiking werld.

Samuel Langhorne Clemens#214

LanguageWritingEducationReform

About this quote

What does it mean?
The author imagines a gradual reform of spelling, removing letters like c, y, and x over time.
In plain terms
A future where the alphabet is simplified by dropping certain letters.
What can you take from it?
Language evolves and can be streamlined.

Where it applies

  • education
  • publishing

Putting it to work

  • standardize spelling
  • teach simplified alphabet

Questions to consider

  • What are the benefits of spelling simplification?
  • How might such changes affect literacy?

Another view

The text is garbled and hard to follow, limiting its clarity.

More from Samuel Langhorne Clemens

  1. It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt.

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  2. Censorship is telling a man he can't have a steak just because a baby can't chew it.

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  3. Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe…

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