Should we simplify the English language? (with poll + intellectual)

Our language is one of the hardest to learn in the world.  The spelling is extremely difficult, there are many irregular verbs, and pronounciation can be quite difficult.  Also, it's almost impossible to learn how to write the language by ear.  In spanish, you usually spell the word how you pronounce it (and there ARE natural stresses on it).

If i remember correctly, the US, under president Teddy Rosevelt, actually DID simplify the language by taking out the 'u' in many words (favourite --> favorite, colour --> color).  I think we should do this again.  Take out the 'ugh' in many words (though --> tho), and take out the 'gh' in words (night --> nite).  There would also be other changes.

Let me tell you, there is NO reason why we shouldn't do this.  This isn't Old English anymore, where the 'k' in knife was actually pronounced.  It has absolutely NO use.  Just because you like a silent k there doesn't mean we should keep it like that.  GIVE ME GOOD REASONS (e.g. it would be too hard to change a language at this point, not all places would except the changes, i'm a jerk and hate immigrants).  It would also make the language easier to learn.

Your thoughts? 

For the love of God no. Sorry, but I think simplifying the English language is one of the last things we should do.SaugaGames

Please explain? 

I write and speak both english and french... and let me assure you.. I have a much harder time in french! I am french btw.. anyway, I find english easier than my own language..Tezcatlipoca666

I'd figure you'd think English is easier than French though, because English is MOSTLY a combination of German and French Latin. 

I think it has gotten a lot simpler over the years, have you tried reading a book from the early 1800s lately, but i do think it would be way to hard to change at this point, i think its doable but would be a huge pain in the assg-unit248

Yes that is true.  I was reading some stuff that my great grandmother wrote, (from earlier 1900s), and it still had hints of that older, arcaic, english.  But, many at little portions.  I think as time goes on, the language will continue to simplify (slowly, but surely). 

[QUOTE="SaugaGames"]For the love of God no. Sorry, but I think simplifying the English language is one of the last things we should do.helium_flash

Please explain? 

For starters, the English language has already been simplified many times over the years. Secondly, it would take far too long for such a huge conversion to reach every corner of the world. Lastly, I think one of the problems in this society is the over-simplification of everything.

No, it should remain the same. I hate these idiots who butcher the English language though.HaloONE

It doesn't all have to happen at once.  Fact is, our language doesn't make sense!  We could first just take out the 'gh' in words, changing Night --> Nite, Light --> Lite, and ect, ect. 

ive talked to many people who learned english as a second language and they say its one of the easiest. not becasioe of spellins and techincalities, but becasue the english language is so flexible. if someone comes to you and seyz "need car I buy" you would know that they needed to buy a car. but if that was said liek that in any other language nobody would know WTF they were talkin about.Happyphilter

Yea, but im talking about teh spelling.  The other half, and arguably more important part, of the language. 

you can't spell slaughter without laughter. dissonantblack

Are you kidding me? English is very easy to learn.-Karayan-

No. Do yu think peeple tipeing/toking lik this is a gud iydeeya?funnymario

Hey, i didnt say those types of changes.  Keep the silent e, because that shows when to stress a vowel or not (you know what i mean). 

[QUOTE="-Karayan-"]Are you kidding me? English is very easy to learn.dissonantblack

 i'm a jerk and hate immigrants 

helium_flash

I think you're being far too nativist. All americans were immigrants at some point.

Absolutely not. Not only is it not feasible, but the difficulties and subtleties of the English language are what make it one of the most expressive languages in the world.quiglythegreat

[QUOTE="funnymario"]No. Do yu think peeple tipeing/toking lik this is a gud iydeeya?helium_flash

Hey, i didnt say those types of changes.  Keep the silent e, because that shows when to stress a vowel or not (you know what i mean). 

[QUOTE="dissonantblack"][QUOTE="-Karayan-"]Are you kidding me? English is very easy to learn.quiglythegreat

Absolutely not. Not only is it not feasible, but the difficulties and subtleties of the English language are what make it one of the most expressive languages in the world.quiglythegreat

[QUOTE="quiglythegreat"][QUOTE="dissonantblack"][QUOTE="-Karayan-"]Are you kidding me? English is very easy to learn.-Karayan-

Maybe that's why the German practically started WWI and WWII (joking, i'm 25% Germish btw (yet, i know Germish is the wrong word, BUT I LIKE IT!)).

No, not at all.

Dumbing down the language would decrease it's effectiveness.  Would you want to have math dumbed down?

~-~People who find it too hard are whiny babies. And don't give me the, "what about dyslexic people?" thing cuz I AM dyslexic.:evil: Especially the "gh" thing. Words look like crap without it. We don't want to look like barbarians when writing do we? Tho? Do you really want to see that piece of s#|& around?~-~

~-~PS: However... I wouldn't mind if it was "babys" instead of "babies".:| That would save me a bunch of spell check time without butchering the flow of things too bad.~-~The_PirateKing

Well, actually, that isn't one of my problems.  What i have a beef with is silent words with no use.  Silent 'k,'  'ugh,' and 'gh' have no reason to be there.   

No, not at all.

Dumbing down the language would decrease it's effectiveness. Would you want to have math dumbed down?

Rekunta

The English language has been simplified and eroded enough. Soon enough, no one is going to understand Shakespear and things such as the Cantebry Tales will become like latin novels. I mean what is the need? Is this purely so that non-native speakers can learn the language more easily? I don't think that would help all that much considering the main issue for people learning is not the spelling but the odd arrangement of our sentences. I mean was there even a need to change colour to color? I don't think so - other than perhaps to save the ink of the poor or lazy. Maybe we should change it again...hmm let's think - - i know culla. Sounds super.

The English language has been simplified and eroded enough. Soon enough, no one is going to understand Shakespear and things such as the Cantebry Tales will become like latin novels. I mean what is the need? Is this purely so that non-native speakers can learn the language more easily? I don't think that would help all that much considering the main issue for people learning is not the spelling but the odd arrangement of our sentences. I mean was there even a need to change colour to color? I don't think so - other than perhaps to save the ink of the poor or lazy. Maybe we should change it again...hmm let's think - - i know culla. Sounds super.

aliens1234

How would changing the SPELLING of a word change the meaning of it?  Shakespeare would be completely the same!  So, you dont think we should simplify the language now, but are you glad we changed it waaaay back?  Or do you still think we should have paragraphs made up of one sentence?  Hypocrisy. 

[QUOTE="aliens1234"]

The English language has been simplified and eroded enough. Soon enough, no one is going to understand Shakespear and things such as the Cantebry Tales will become like latin novels. I mean what is the need? Is this purely so that non-native speakers can learn the language more easily? I don't think that would help all that much considering the main issue for people learning is not the spelling but the odd arrangement of our sentences. I mean was there even a need to change colour to color? I don't think so - other than perhaps to save the ink of the poor or lazy. Maybe we should change it again...hmm let's think - - i know culla. Sounds super.

helium_flash

How would changing the SPELLING of a word change the meaning of it? Shakespeare would be completely the same! So, you dont think we should simplify the language now, but are you glad we changed it waaaay back? Or do you still think we should have paragraphs made up of one sentence? Hypocrisy.

Our language is one of the hardest to learn in the world. The spelling is extremely difficult, there are many irregular verbs, and pronounciation can be quite difficult. Also, it's almost impossible to learn how to write the language by ear. In spanish, you usually spell the word how you pronounce it (and there ARE natural stresses on it).

If i remember correctly, the US, under president Teddy Rosevelt, actually DID simplify the language by taking out the 'u' in many words (favourite --> favorite, colour --> color). I think we should do this again. Take out the 'ugh' in many words (though --> tho), and take out the 'gh' in words (night --> nite). There would also be other changes.

Let me tell you, there is NO reason why we shouldn't do this. This isn't Old English anymore, where the 'k' in knife was actually pronounced. It has absolutely NO use. Just because you like a silent k there doesn't mean we should keep it like that. GIVE ME GOOD REASONS (e.g. it would be too hard to change a language at this point, not all places would except the changes, i'm a jerk and hate immigrants). It would also make the language easier to learn.

Your thoughts?

helium_flash

I write and speak both english and french... and let me assure you.. I have a much harder time in french! I am french btw.. anyway, I find english easier than my own language..Tezcatlipoca666

[QUOTE="helium_flash"]

[QUOTE="SaugaGames"]For the love of God no. Sorry, but I think simplifying the English language is one of the last things we should do.Hey_Jay

Please explain?

For starters, the English language has already been simplified many times over the years. Secondly, it would take far too long for such a huge conversion to reach every corner of the world. Lastly, I think one of the problems in this society is the over-simplification of everything.

English is harder in some ways than other languages, but at least we don't have assigned male or female gender articles for inanimate objects.

It has already by Jamaicans.