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Scope of the Handbook

Part 1 contains a brief sketch of the history of Eng- lish spelling, showing how and why, in the course of centuries, it has ceast to function as a gide to pronunciation; an account of the successiv efforts, beginning as early as 1554, to restore this function; a report of the progress made by the Simplified Spelling Board since its organization in 1906.

Part 2 presents the arguments in favor of the sim- plification of English spelling, and replies to the objections commonly made by defenders of the prevailing orthografy.

Part 3 contains the Rules for Simplified Spelling that the Board recommends for general use at the present stage of the movement, a Special List of words in simpler spellings not coverd by the Rules, and a Dictionary List of the words in common use changed in spelling by these recommendations.

Choice of Methods

It has been shown by abundant example in Part 1 that English spelling is mard by absurdities and inconsistencies that call for improvement if it is ever to