Originally written by Janus Jacquet on October 10, 2009 6:59 PM ‘Vague’ was a poor choice of words.

No, it wasn't. You made yourself perfectly clear. I am unable, however, to judge those supposed 1-2 millimiters of difference just as I am unable to 'objectively' judge how subtle the difference between ź and ż is as for me they are two completely different sounds.

Anyway... I`d dearly like to learn what linguists think of recurring demands to make spelling rules easier or even dispose of them? The rules, I mean, not the linguists.

Some may want to dispose of the linguists, because they may be a lot of trouble, especially to some agencies.

Although I hate typing with diacritics, especially using different programs which may not open sometimes on the client's computer, I am strongly against any changes. I think the 20th c spelling should be preserved, if we want to preserve our culture. 

Can you use them while editing, though? I could not see when I wanted to edit the term.

If it was the answer you tried to edit, you most probably could not do that because there`s too little time given to do that. But you can ask the moderator to help you.

Thank you, Dodo. 

I think that spelling would be a problem in any language if  the national language(s)/language(s) of tuition is/are not taught properly starting at the latest at the level of primary (junior) school.  Early childhood education is also a contributing factor to performance at primary school, so it is important to start laying the intellectual foundations required for learning spelling even before the first year of formal schooling.  I don't believe that any language would be immune from this even though some languages may have a more phonetic system of spelling, thus possibly causing less problems.

Spelling Bee competitions in other languages?  Yes, it's a good idea to have competitions to raise awareness of the language the country speaks and certainly can build confidence in those taking part.  Elevating them to the status of national hero / genius?  I think that is overdoing it (apologies to all who are champions - I do not wish to take anything away from your achievements .  I was always top of my class in spelling myself - but it never got me promoted or a job or anything). Spelling is a basic requirement in successful written communication.

Making spelling easier / simplifying the spelling rules?  Well, if sms language is an example of that, then I would have to say count me out.  On the other hand, languages evolve over time - and so does spelling - so it would be natural for spelling to evolve to become more pertinent to the time.  And, with the increasing focus on the use of images and pictures to convey ideas (and the decreasing emphasis on reading), this may well be a development of our time.

Originally written by Jacek K. on October 5, 2009 11:49 AM     As I already mentioned, national spelling competitions have been a big hoopla in Poland for many years, with well-known actors, journalists and politicians taking part in the finals of a big public dictation.

The following is not about any finals but one local Warsaw competition:

"Spośród niemalże do szczętu zużytych wędzisk wydobył bez mała dwuipółmetrową pseudobambusową niby-różdżkę" - to pierwsze słowa dyktanda, z którym prawie setka purystów językowych zmagała się w sobotę na Ursynowie.

Dalej było jeszcze gorzej. Tekst ułożony przez profesorów UW Jerzego Bralczyka i Włodzimierza Gruszczyńskiego roił się od "trzyipółkilogramowych jazgarzy", "zhardziałych bachorów" i innych równie "hożych" i "chyżych" zwrotów. http://miasta.gazeta.pl/warszawa/1,34889,7255966,Prawnik_z_Kielc_wygral_ursynowski_konkurs_ortograficzny.html

Originally written by Jacek K. on November 16, 2009 8:33 AM Tekst ułożony przez profesorów ...

Mmm... I think I`d better repeat:

Gdy się język plącze,

trudno rzec Malwinie,

czy to chrząszcz brzmi w trzcinie,

czy też brząszcz trzmi w chrzcinie!

Once again Thanks for the ISC button, staff!