Comments on: Some questions about the alphabet

By: mindnumbing alphabetic insanity « bradherndon.wordpress.com

mindnumbing alphabetic insanity « bradherndon.wordpress.com — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 06:30:48 +0000

[...] reading charlie’s (my compadre from cabot) post, i’ve concluded that we need to change a few things about the english alphabet. first of all, [...]

By: GabeB

GabeB — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:55:15 +0000

I’m glad I’m not the only one who has thought of these things. Charlie you make me feel a little less crazy.

By: cloften

cloften — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:34:13 +0000

Suzanne, do you want the overly-complicated explanation for how w is a vowel? Here is a clue: note how “tow” has a long vowel sound. Words that end in a consonant have a short vowel sound at the end, like “pot.”

By: Megan

Megan — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:30:30 +0000

Suzanne, pronounce the “h” at the front of the “haich” with a hard “ch” at the end and you’ll be saying it the Irish way.

Of course, this is from the same folk who say things like “tirty-tree tousand” instead of thirty-three thousand, so what do they know?

By: Suzanne ~ TheJoyfulChaos

Suzanne ~ TheJoyfulChaos — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 04:50:25 +0000

1. W – did you not write that as two “u”s stuck together (you know, all rounded like) when you were a kid? Or was that just a girly writing thing? Made sense, though, in that context.
2. Megan – “haich” hard “ch” or soft – as in Anne Heche?
3. Absolutely vote to oust “C”. Useless and confusing. Except for the “ch” – gotta do something about that.
4. It’s “diphthong” not “dipthong” according to dictionary.com (so long as we’re keeping with the language discussion and all). I had to look this one up – didn’t know this word. Did however know the difference between digraph and blend (requirement of teaching 1st and 3rd graders).
5. W? As a vowel? Where did you go to school and in what time period? Really? I’ve never heard of that. Gotta check into it, now.

Overall, I agree – revamp the whole system. And don’t even get me started on trying to teach phonics and reading with an accent such as mine. The word “envelope”? Why on earth do they put that word on “E” worksheets? Just to confuse my children? I need a southern publisher. And putting “Pen” and “Pin” on short vowel worksheets? Not with this mama. ‘Cause there ain’t no diff’rence in those 2 words down here.

Oh, wait, I think you might’ve found one of my soapboxes ’round here.

By: Megan

Megan — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 04:24:14 +0000

You’re right, this was ridiculous but highly entertaining.

Just an FYI, in Ireland “H” is pronounced “haich.” How do you feel about that?