In 1768, Benjamin Franklin developed a phonetic alphabet with the intention of simplifying English spelling. He proposed eliminating letters like C, J, Q, W, X, and Y, while doubling vowels and creating new letters for certain sounds. Franklin tested this system in letters, but met with resistance, particularly from his landlady's daughter, Mary Stevenson, who criticized the difficulties of using the new alphabet. Gabe Henry’s book, "Enough Is Enuf," discusses this endeavor, reflecting on America's historical attempts to reform English spelling and the challenges that persist.
Franklin's attempt at a phonetic spelling system aimed to simplify English, but ultimately failed due to the complexities and inconsistencies inherent in the language.
Stripping English of troublesome letters like C's and J's, Franklin's phonetic system introduced new letters for sounds, aiming to create a more logical writing system.
Henry's book highlights Franklin's early efforts in 1768, demonstrating that while the intention was to improve accessibility in writing, the execution faced significant challenges.
Stevenson's response to Franklin's letter encapsulated the practical hurdles of his phonetic alphabet, revealing the 'inkɥnviiniɥnsiz' and 'difɥkɥltiz' that made it impractical.
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