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Once upon a time, some five hundred years ago, our language was written almost exactly as it
was spoken. There was a fitness to the use of the letters which we no longer see, due to
changes in pronunciation over the years. Bit by bit the bond between the spoken and
written language was distorted, so that now children must spend many years learning the skills
of reading and writing. We even have a special word--spelling--to describe the art of
memorizing the nonsensical ways in which we write our words.
Speakers of languages more logically written wonder about us. Those born to Spanish,
German, or the languages 0f India, are astounded that such a clever people as we are, with such
a powerful and expressive language as our own, would continue to carry such a burden. The
reason we do so is quite simple--inertia. We walk the same trail as those who walked
before us, even though their world is not our own.
The following pages will present a new path for the more intrepid among us. I propose to
replace our writing system with one which restores the former correspondence between spoken
and written English. To master it will not be hard.
The index to the left points the way. The first section of pages, History, is for background
and may serve to give a useful perspective. The second, Tutorial, is the core of this site
and teaches the NEA (Modern English Alphabet). Following this, the third section takes the
broader view and deals with reconciliation of the various dialects of Modern English. The
last, Discussion, provides a forum for issues and responses. All links are in underlined
Bradley Hand, the font used on this page. Text in the NEA is in dark blue and traditional
spelling is in black.
Make your selection at the left and continue. . .
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