Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!tektronix!hplabs!sri-unix!jheimann@BBNCCY.ARPA From: jheimann@BBNCCY.ARPA Newsgroups: net.physics Subject: Re: Credibility Message-ID: <271@sri-arpa.ARPA> Date: Wed, 12-Jun-85 13:45:12 EDT Article-I.D.: sri-arpa.271 Posted: Wed Jun 12 13:45:12 1985 Date-Received: Sat, 15-Jun-85 06:03:03 EDT Lines: 31 From: John H. Heimann I know this kind of discussion should be kept off the list, but I can't resist the opportunity to respond. The best reason that I can think of not to change English spelling is that it reflects the rich tradition of the language, which includes those of Celtic, Germanic, French, Latin, and Greek (among others). A succession of conquerers, first Anglo-Saxon, then Roman, then Norman all had a profound influence on the language that developed into modern day English, and added their own words and spellings to the lexicon. The diversity that results makes English one of the most expressive languages for any form of literature in which lyrical qualities are important. Irregularity and variety of linguistic form within a language allow a skillful writer to make more interesting and forceful combinations of words than are possible with a highly regular language. Homeric Greek is a fine example. If you dislike flipping to the word list at the back of the book then you will find reading Homer much more annoying than, say, Plato. But if you like expressive phrases and vivd images, Homer is hard to beat. One problem scientists (and I like to include myself in the category) often have is that they tend to associate beauty with symmetry or regularity. This is, incidently, a very Greek idea (those ancients thought of everything). In the humanities, beauty is often the result of bringing together in a composition two logically dissimilar qualities. It is not "muddled thinking" so much as a different way of thinking. I for one enjoy the complexities of our language, and appreciate the diversity and subtle beauty of its words. I'd rather have to refer to a dictionary every so often (a task I find pleasant) than give those pleasures up. John