We spell like we’re haunted by the ghosts of every language we ever invaded.
The Traditional Rule:
English spelling should reflect history, etymology, and standardized rules passed down through textbooks and dictionaries.
Why It’s Broken:
Because “standardized” English spelling is not based on logic, pronunciation, or modern usage — but on outdated French, Latin, and 18th-century nonsense. Letters are added because they look more elegant or classical. Spellings are retained long after the pronunciation has changed. Result? English learners spend more time memorizing spellings than reading, writing, or speaking. Even native speakers fail spelling tests.
Absurdities and Contradictions:
-our vs. -or: colour/honour/flavour (UK) vs. color/honor/flavor (US). Which is correct? Neither. Just choose a side.
-re vs. -er: centre/metre/theatre (UK) vs. center/meter/theater (US). One is Frenchified. The other is phonetic. Why not just… pick one?
Silent letters everywhere:
“Psychology” has a “p” no one says.
“Dumb” and “thumb” — silent “b.”
“Debt” — that “b” was shoved in during the Renaissance to look more Latin.
“Receipt” — silent “p.” Why? Because etymology. And ego.
Redundant doubles:
Traveller (UK) vs. Traveler (US)
Programme (UK) vs. Program (US)
Jewellery (UK) vs. Jewelry (US) — is one less shiny?
Weird consonant-vowel swaps:
“Cheque” vs. “Check”
“Tyre” vs. “Tire”
“Mould” vs. “Mold”
Real-World Struggles:
Auto-correct wars between American and British keyboards.
Spelling bees that reward memorization of arcane spellings instead of meaningful vocabulary.
Foreign learners spending years on exceptions instead of expression.
British vs. American Variants:
US prefers simplified, phonetic spelling.
UK holds to tradition and French-influenced forms.
Canada, India, Australia often stuck in the middle, inconsistently applying both.
The Reform Proposal:
Adopt phonetic spellings wherever pronunciation is unambiguous.
Standardize spelling globally — choose either the US form or a merged, phonetic alternative.
Drop silent letters that serve no modern purpose.
End spelling-based elitism: stop using weird spellings as IQ tests.
How It Would Work in Practice:
Colour → Color ✅
Centre → Center ✅
Plough → Plow ✅
Cheque → Check ✅
Programme → Program ✅
Catalogue → Catalog ✅
Honourable → Honorable ✅
Dialogue → Dialog ✅
Moustache → Mustash ✅
Final Word: Spell What You Speak.
Spelling should be the friend of literacy, not its enemy. If English were spelled the way it’s spoken, we’d reduce confusion, cost, and classism — and free millions to express themselves with confidence. Let’s stop worshiping the ghosts of Latin and start spelling for the living.