Let’s recall the spell guide

WORD STUDY

1. Highlight the following words with article, comment on their meaning:

   • peak (n)

   • invocation (n)

   • vernacular (adj)

   • oddity (n)

   • archaic (adj)

   • obsolete (adj)

2. In the article find the antonyms to:

   1. shorten –

   2. youngsters –

   3. attract –

   4. a bunch of smth. –

   5. come to mind –

3. Write the correct combination of the verb and the particle. Insert them where necessary.

   1. The British are subject …… a myth that English English never changes.

   2. Grammar was also affected ……. the adoption of Latin rules.

   3. Latin rules were superimposed …… the Germanic framework of English.

   4. To do everything possible to bring …… such changes.

4. Pick out from the text attributes that modify the following nouns.

__________ ___________

__________ Changes rules

__________ ___________

COMPREHENSION

5. Explain the following:

   • to envoke respect (help)

   • to advocate (n, v)

   • to be loath to admit

   • to formalise the spelling

6. Scan through the articles in search of the answers to the given questions:

1. What are the cases of inappropriate spelling called by the author? When they observed? Is there any visible explanation to that?

2. Where did the myth of English as a language that "never changes and never should change" come from?

3. In the author’s opinion, what does a language have to be like in order to invoke respect? Do you agree?

4. What languages contributed to the excessive complexity of Modern English spelling and grammar?

5. What is the way of solving the problem suggested by P. Hughs? Does that sound logical to you?

6. Does she give any other recommendations on putting forward her idea? What are they?

7. What did the respose to her suggestion turn out to be? Whose vision of the problem would you rather support? Why?

FOLLOW UP

7. Discussion (Role-Play)

Act out a press-conference (a seminar, a science congress, etc.) debating a very questionable issue. A heated argument breaks out with all the participants passionately (but in a well-turned manner) defending their points of view.

The simplification of the English spelling as suggested by Patricia Hughs: pros and cons.

Choose the roles that you like best and distribute them. Think of others if you feel like.

Suggested participants:

• P. Hughs, author of the article

• English linguist

• American linguist

• Common English person (possibly one of the respondents)

• Common American person

• English school teatchers (at least two)

• School children in their teens (at least two)

• Reporters Foreign students

N.B. Be sure to use various conversational formulas especially when

- introducing opinions:	e.g. I’d like to raise the problem… What I think is …
- putting a point very strongly:	e.g. I’m sure (certain) that … I’m fully convinced …
- disagreeing politely:	e.g. That sounds interesting, but I am not sure … I’m afraid I can’t take your point on that.
- expressing agreement:	e.g. I couldn’t agree more! I’m with you on that.
- delaying the answer:	e.g. Well, let me think for a moment.