Workshop: Why is English spelling so weird? A diachronic perspective on the orthography of English

It is a truth universally acknowledged that both first and second language speakers of English struggle immensely with its spelling. In this workshop, we will look at how English came to have the spelling system it has today and the ways in which orthography reflects widespread pronunciation in previous times as well as various accidents of history. We will touch upon some serious issues English spelling presents for its users and trace variation in spelling in informal genres from historical letters to modern texting practices.

 

About the presenter:

Monika Kavalir is Associate Professor (docent) at the Department of English at Ljubljana University. Her research focuses on historical linguistics, sociolinguistics and transcultural communication. In co-operation with the University of Klagenfurt, a recent project of hers tackled the translation of contemporary Slovenian poetry into English and German: Monika Kavalir & Gregor Chudoba (2020) Indirect literary translation and intercultural communication: crossing borders in the Neighbours with a Go-Between project, Language and Intercultural Communication, 20:6, 546-560. https://doi.org/10.1080/14708477.2020.1825462

 

Date: Tuesday, 4 May 2021

Time: 12.00 -1.30 pm

ZOOM: https://uni-lj-si.zoom.us/j/92088358051