English is at best my 3rd language. I have always found the huge discrepancy between pronunciation and spelling really nonsensical (keep in mind that I even speak French). But this article really helps see all that in a new light. Nothing is a-historical, not even phonetics. Newfound respect for the English language.
While in French there is also a great discrepancy between the written language and the spoken language, when reading French the corresponding pronunciation is almost always very easy to predict. Only the reverse can be difficult, because many ambiguous pronunciations are differentiated in writing.
There exists no other language besides English where the pronunciation rules are so irregular, with so many special cases and exceptions.
vhantz · · focus · HN ↗
crossroadsguy · · focus · HN ↗
That’s rich coming from a speaker of French
But on a serious note, this discrepancy at this point is entirely unnecessary and wasteful.
adrian_b · · focus · HN ↗
There exists no other language besides English where the pronunciation rules are so irregular, with so many special cases and exceptions.