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33
Spelling
As linguists we know that spelling is a by-product of linguistic behaviour, and
that our ability to spell is on the whole independent of our ability to manipulate
language in other ways. Nevertheless, your spelling is part of the face you
present to the world, and people judge you by your spelling as well as by the
other more meaningful things you do. That being the case, it is worthwhile
getting the spellings of the fundamental terms of the trade right, just to avoid
looking stupid. Remember that the best spelling-checker in the world will not
Table 33.1 Spelling
assimilation double S, one M - I
auxiliary one L
complementary distribution L – E – M
dependency D – E – N
diphthong P – H – T – H
genitive N – I – T
grammar A – R
Jakobson O – N
Jespersen E – N
monophthong P – H – T – H
occurred double R
occurrence double R
possessive double S, double S
pronunciation N – U – N
psycholinguistics P – S – Y – C – H
rhotacism T – A – C (contrast rhoticity)
rhythm R – H, only one Y
vocal cords C – O – R (say ‘vocal folds’ if in doubt)