Saturday, September 1, 2018

HOW ENGLISH BECAME AN APHONETI ((NON-PHONETIC) LANGUAGE

English spelling is the despair of many a foreign learner of English. This is because English is an aphonetic language. In other words there is no one-to-one correspondence  between letters and sounds they represent.

Old English that is English spoken at the time of King Alfred was a fairly phonetic language. But the Norman Conquest of 1066 marked a turning point in the history of English language. English language was never to be the same again!French replaced Anglo-Saxon words and several Old English words were spelt in the French way!  The influence of French is unparalled in the history of any language.Except for a few basic constructions and basic vocabulary English seems like French even at the micro level. The influence of French on English is wider and deeper than acknowledged by historians of English language It would be no exaggeration  to say that English is French differently  pronounced!

During its transition from Middle English to Modern English words changed their pronunciation, but the spelling has remained the same That is the reason for English being an aphonetic language 

THANKINGYOU

tPFOF V.P.RAJAPPAN


   AN APPEAL

As you know Kerala state was recently devastated by a catastrophic flood . Hundreds of people were killed in the flood and the homesteads of many were washed away.The victims of the flood have to build their lives from the scratch. The government is engaged  in the Herculean task of re-building 
 a ravaged state 
I  request my readers to make your contribution to the Chief Minster's Distress Relief Fund PLEASE visit   Kerala government's website for guidance in the matter 
PROF V.P.RAJAPPAN