Comparing schemes

consistency • phonetic• familiarity• brevity

Why and how?

As an alternative to repeated discussions on the advantages and disadvantages of one or other spelling proposal with no satisfactory conclusion, Saaspel lays out an evaluation table to compare schemes based on priority factors as proposed by eminent authors and statesmen in their order of significance, they being: consistency,  phonetic, familiarity to traditional spelling, and brevity factors.


When a numerical evaluation system is applied, the path to selecting the more effective spelling schemes becomes clearer. A comparison table can reveal the strengths and weaknesses of proposals and help improve schemes as a whole.
Controversial symbols were selected from Traditional Spellings, Saaspel, Newspell 90 and ALC (American) Spelling, to be compared with one another.  Other spelling schemes can be tested in the evaluation table using the same criteria.
A study of the Comparison Table will illustrate its capacity to form an objective guide in selecting the scheme best suited to serve the different sections of the world’s community.
Using 16 controversial spellings, 1 point is awarded for each adherence to the features, ‘consistency’, ‘phonetic’ and ‘familiarity to common spelling’, amounting to a maximum of 16 points for each feature, or a maximum total of 48 points for all these three features. Non-adherence to a feature forfeits the point.



Points distribution
Consistency
(1 sound - 1 symbol)		 Phonetic
proximity		 Familiarity
to Trad. Spelling		 Brevity
The Star
no deviationn   1 point close       1 point   close     1 point X points for
1 deviation      0 point remote    0 point remote  0 point X% shorter text




4 essential features

Consistency: A ‘same sound to same spelling’ relationship is the most important factor in any new spelling scheme. It shortens the learning process and simplifies English writing through predictability.


Phonetic: How closely the phonetic sound of the two letters of a digraph, spoken in sequence, approaches the required end sound, decides how the diphthong is rated.

Familiarity: It is essential that traditional spellers can read reformer’s spellings and vice versa. It is also important that  reform spellings relate to the phonetics of other European languages whenever appropirate.


Brevity: Where spelling is shortened without jeopardising the pronunciation or meaning of the word, time and space are saved, mistakes are fewer, printing costs are reduced.

1 point is awarded for each 1% of shorter text compared with traditional text.

To assess the ‘brevity’ factor, a passage from the novel ‘The Star’ by H.G. Wells was chosen.
1 point is won for each percentage point fewer letters in the revised text than in Tradspel text.
By omitting letters that do not contribute to the pronunciation or the understanding of words, and through the effective use of syllabics, Saaspel reduces the length of the average text by about 8%. This amounts  to more text per page, or fewer pages per book.
Applying macrons as illustrated  would reduce the number of characters by a further 5%.

The total  savings in paper, printing, transport and storage could amount to, a significant 10%. Easier spelling and shorter text will benefit everyone. The greatest values of Saaspel however lie in the shorter learning time for beginners and the higher level of universal understanding.