It is indeed an ironic phenomenon we see - kids of Indian origin doing well in English spelling bees.
The strange thing about Indian language and scripts is that one could not have a spelling bee in any of them. They are truly phonetic and words are written exactly one way, and it is dictated by how it is pronounced. The moment someone pronounces a word, it can be written down in a unique way by the sounds. Most Indian languages and scripts are derived from the basic principles of Sanskrit. These are truly logical, brilliantly designed languages with features one would incorporate even if we sat down today to design the best universal language for all. It is impossible to have a spelling bee in Indian languages - once one knows the basic symbols and phonemes (which are a small set that one can learn in the earliest years of school) all words can be spelled perfectly right. For some few rare sounds that are not common to Indian languages, that are found in some foreign languages, there are very close approximations and they are very evident, since the meaning of the word itself indicates its foreign origin. For words in Indian languages themselves, the set of symbols is sufficient.
Perhaps, because English involves so much violation of common sense, logic and rules of phonetics, and it is so different from the common sense and logic found in Indian languages, the mind conditioned to Indian languages and logical thinking remembers these violations from early on, makes note of these countless exceptions, carefully remembers the non-intuitive spelling of English words. They also have to practice these violations of rules or exceptions from early on. The work ethic of learning in India also helps people memorise a virtual dictionary of English language, which was forced upon them as a national language. Indians have made the best of the situation thrust on them.
It is time for Indians and Chinese to view their own variations of English as their own native intellectual property and consider themselves the authority of their own versions of English! More power to them!
Perhaps it would be good idea to teach children in English speaking countries a more logical phonetic language early on so that their mind too can learn to understand the difference in spelling for English. Their English learning might improve by helping them see the contrast and difference between English and other languages. Such exposure in the early years will help them remember all the differences in English spelling much better.
The rules of true phonetic spelling in Indian languages was designed. The uniform consistent and predictable application of word termination syllables and their true phonetic representation (without scores of exceptions) in Indian languages was designed in the structure of the languages. This makes learning easy and predictable. It also adds richness and elegance to poetry and true rhymes with perfect rhyming of words with the exact meaning when used in context. English is not designed at all in this sense. It is awkward in poetry and literature and basic learning and it shows.
Copyright (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2015
All rights reserved
The strange thing about Indian language and scripts is that one could not have a spelling bee in any of them. They are truly phonetic and words are written exactly one way, and it is dictated by how it is pronounced. The moment someone pronounces a word, it can be written down in a unique way by the sounds. Most Indian languages and scripts are derived from the basic principles of Sanskrit. These are truly logical, brilliantly designed languages with features one would incorporate even if we sat down today to design the best universal language for all. It is impossible to have a spelling bee in Indian languages - once one knows the basic symbols and phonemes (which are a small set that one can learn in the earliest years of school) all words can be spelled perfectly right. For some few rare sounds that are not common to Indian languages, that are found in some foreign languages, there are very close approximations and they are very evident, since the meaning of the word itself indicates its foreign origin. For words in Indian languages themselves, the set of symbols is sufficient.
Perhaps, because English involves so much violation of common sense, logic and rules of phonetics, and it is so different from the common sense and logic found in Indian languages, the mind conditioned to Indian languages and logical thinking remembers these violations from early on, makes note of these countless exceptions, carefully remembers the non-intuitive spelling of English words. They also have to practice these violations of rules or exceptions from early on. The work ethic of learning in India also helps people memorise a virtual dictionary of English language, which was forced upon them as a national language. Indians have made the best of the situation thrust on them.
It is time for Indians and Chinese to view their own variations of English as their own native intellectual property and consider themselves the authority of their own versions of English! More power to them!
Perhaps it would be good idea to teach children in English speaking countries a more logical phonetic language early on so that their mind too can learn to understand the difference in spelling for English. Their English learning might improve by helping them see the contrast and difference between English and other languages. Such exposure in the early years will help them remember all the differences in English spelling much better.
The rules of true phonetic spelling in Indian languages was designed. The uniform consistent and predictable application of word termination syllables and their true phonetic representation (without scores of exceptions) in Indian languages was designed in the structure of the languages. This makes learning easy and predictable. It also adds richness and elegance to poetry and true rhymes with perfect rhyming of words with the exact meaning when used in context. English is not designed at all in this sense. It is awkward in poetry and literature and basic learning and it shows.
Copyright (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2015
All rights reserved
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