WRITTEN AND SPOKEN ENGLISH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18355, 22 March 1923, Page 10

WRITTEN AND SPOKEN ENGLISH.

Sir,*— little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Parents who would tie teachers' hands add seriously to their, task, < without' doing any good. On the other hand in intelligent interest- aiming at seconding the work of teachers is invaluable. Mr. Purdie has, for once, overlooked what the syllabus says. " Preparatory Division.— formal teaching of reading and writing is less important at this stage than the teaching of spoken English ; no lessons in formal spelling, cv cept 'copying ', the teacher's script." For junior division the syllabus distinctly (and rightly) prescribes— 'Writing: Tran-. scription of»easy sentences from script, or in Standard 2 from print." An article in i the Herald Supplement deserves " remark. We are continually hearing that teachers should devote more attention to purity' of pronunciation. Too much attention ; cannot be devoted to this point. But the school cannot compete with the influence of horns, and of books. The root of the trouble is our easy-going, loose habits of thought, and the topsyturvy system of spelling to which we are wedded. Phonetic spelling, if discussed, would be adopted. It has no sound argument against it. Only shallow preju- \ dice. If every sound had its own symbol a vast improvement in purity of speech would follow. The question of trouble is based on a fallacy. Begin with the children who have not as yet learned any style of spelling, and as an erstwhile compositor I could manage without new type, if I could get leave to try. As to writing, why not let children begin by drawing the simple strokes designed by Sir Isaac Pitman. Then writing would not be the slavery which it is now to countless millions of half-taught Englishspeaking people. The proper place for such discussions is the Educational Institute it would, or should, welcome the fullest discussion, not only by its own members, but by parents. Herbert Mason, M.A., 32, King Edward Street.