What did John Hart argue in his 1551 book advocating spelling reform and what was he referring to? Include what new perspective had been introduced to spelling in your answer.

Answer 1

In his 1551 book advocating spelling reform, John Hart argued that English spelling should be standardized and simplified to better reflect pronunciation. Hart observed the discrepancies between the way words were spelled and how they were actually spoken. He pointed out that contemporary English spelling was inconsistent and often misleading, making it difficult for learners to master reading and writing.

Hart was specifically referring to the chaotic state of English orthography in the 16th century. During this period, spellings were largely based on tradition and various dialects, rather than any systematic phonetic principles. This lack of standardization meant that the same word could be spelled in numerous ways, leading to confusion and inefficiency in communication.

The new perspective introduced to spelling at that time was the idea that written language should more closely mirror spoken language. Hart advocated for a phonetic spelling system, where each sound in the language would have a corresponding letter or combination of letters. This would make it easier for people to learn to read and write, as the relationship between sounds and symbols would be more logical and consistent.

By reforming spelling to better align with pronunciation, Hart believed that literacy would become more accessible, thereby enhancing educational outcomes and improving communication across the English-speaking world.