Posted on 06/03/2004 1:19:36 AM PDT by sarcasm
WASHINGTON — Protesters delivered a message yesterday to the national spelling bee: Enuf is enuf!
Members of the American Literacy Society picketed the 77th annual spelling bee, which is sponsored every year by Cincinnati-based Scripps Howard.
The protesters' complaints: English spelling is illogical, and the national spelling bee only reinforces the crazy spellings that they say contribute to dyslexia, high illiteracy and harder lives for immigrants.
"We advocate the modernization of English spelling," said Pete Boardman, 58, of Groton, N.Y. The Cornell University bus driver admitted to being a terrible speller.
Protester Elizabeth Kuizenga, 56, is such a good speller that she teaches English as a second language in San Francisco. She said she got involved in the protest after seeing how much time was wasted teaching spelling in her class.
Bee spokesman Mark Kroeger said good spelling comes from knowing the story behind a word — what language it comes from, what it means.
"For these kids who understand the root words, who understand the etymology, it's totally logical," he said.
The protesters contend that the illogical spelling of English words makes dyslexia more difficult to overcome and helps explain studies that suggest one in five Americans are functionally illiterate.
"If these people were able to read and write with a simplified spelling system, they would be able to fill out a job application, stay employed and stay out of prison," said Sanford Silverman, 86. The retired accountant was handing out copies of his book, "Spelling for the 21st Century: The Case for Spelling Reform."
Carrying signs reading "I'm thru with through," "Spelling shuud be lojical," and "Spell different difrent," the protesters drew chuckles from bee contestants.
"I can't believe people are picketing against something this ridiculous," said contestant Steven Maheshwary, 14, of Houston.
By day's end yesterday, 46 of the original 265 spellers remained for today's championship. The participants are competing for a top package of $17,000 in cash and other prizes.
Some of the stumpers yesterday were "phyllotaxy," "triboluminescence," "ziphioid" and "dacquoise."
Based on the evidence on FR it's not just the tough ones like "phyllotaxy," "triboluminescence," "ziphioid" and "dacquoise" that people have trouble with.
This is very series.
No thanks.
hehehehe
Two important things strike me about this article - 1) it is San Francisco, which should say quite a bit about the topic, in general; 2) this is the reward for the NEA's failed program of "creative" spelling that they pushed many years ago in which they ignored incorrect spelling in hopes of encouraging more students to read and write. All they achieved was a group of morons protesting the national spelling bee.
I guarantee you these folks are democrats. They just aren't happy unless they are on the attack against every aspect of our lives. Or am I reading too much into this?
The genuinely tragic aspect of all this, however: those weren't intentional misspellings, on the parts of said protesters. :)
Somehow I don't think it's the fault of the written English language that people are illiterate, but rather poor education. Japan has had close to a 100% literacy rate for decades now and look at their written language. It's much more dificult than English. If our schools were schools and not pathetic daycare and indoctrination centers then illiteracy wouldn't be a problem.
Freepers, notice the tone of this article? The protesters are the story. The spelling bee contestants, who put in far more effort than the idiots with the signs, barely get mentioned.
In other words, come out counter-culture (or anti-Bush) and get all the newsprint you want.
Eyes wantsa my krayons and knowkabody kan deeenIe mee kawz iman edjewkated usa poisin hue paaaz taxez Nd haz riitz!
Somewhere subterranean, George Bernard Shaw must be cheering. That was one of his many favorite causes.
Of course the spelling is often illogical because the English language keeps evolving, borrowing words from other languages and making it's own rules as it goes. The purist French, for example, can eat their hearts out, English is THE international language, clumsy as it may be.
u b whack
| Spelling bees claim two in Brazil Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - May 3, 2004 ... people who were hiking Sunday in the Serra Do Caraca state park about 600km west of Rio de Janeiro when they were attacked by a swarm of bees, said Sergeant ... |
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Spelling bees attack hikers
News24, South Africa - May 3, 2004 ... a group of nine people who were hiking on Sunday in the Serra Do Caraca state park about 600km west of Rio de Janeiro when they were attacked by a swarm of bees ... This IS very series
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For realz....and very hugh.
Not to me it isn't.
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