Abstract
THE main object of this book is to advocate modifications in our present alphabet, so as to make it suitable for representing- English sounds. On plates facing pp. 142 and 144 the suggested alphabet is portrayed; the capitals are practically identical with the small letters, but slightly more ornate. A characteristic is that no letter projects above or below the line; nor are parts of each letter thicker or thinner than others; the character is what is termed “Doric.” The uniformity in height of the letters makes it possible to bring the lines of print closer together, and so to save space. But, in the opinion of the reviewer, legibility is thereby sacrificed; Russian type, in which the general effect is that of printing in capitals, is not so quickly read by Russians as is English or French by Englishmen or Frenchmen. In the example given on p. 20, of printing in Doric capitals, the effect is to dazzle the eyes; it is not easy reading. The author is not sanguine as to the adoption of his scheme; but he opens the interesting question whether if our alphabet is to be modified, convenience is to be increased by carefully choosing the form of the letters.
Sounds and Signs: a Criticism of the Alphabet with Suggestions for Reform.
By Archer Wilde. Pp. 180. (London: Constable and Co., Ltd., 1914.) Price 4s. 6d. net.
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R., W. Sounds and Signs: a Criticism of the Alphabet with Suggestions for Reform . Nature 93, 318 (1914). https://doi.org/10.1038/093318a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/093318a0