English doesn’t borrow from other languages, it follows them down dark alleys, hits them over the head, and then goes through their pockets for loose grammar.
An Iranian friend of mine (before Ayatollah Khamenei) stated the exact same thing 40yrs ago. English is difficult. I’m kind of puzzled by it. Why all the words that sound similar?
Have comfort in the knowledge that we all went through what you are going through today but probably without having as good a friend as Wallace helping us…..
This is why we always defined the these types of words. Spell flower, like in, I like to smell the pretty flowers.Spell flour, like in, what mom uses to make bread.
I know a few languages and have friends who speak many more and every language has things like this – some are worse than others. I think the cases where the languages are really similar -like Indonesian and Malay have more of this than others.
English is possibly only second to Chinese for a new learner older than a toddler because of many of the reasons people have stated above. Because the Islands of Britain and Ireland were if not conquered, highly influenced by neighboring conquerors, the language had to adapt to the language of the conquering peoples. English still adopts, or steals, words that come from foreign languages.
It might help to put the words in context, in a sentence. And it’s not very useful to tell the confused student, “Wrong.” and never explain why. Spell out correctly the word that he just got wrong. And again, what grade are they in? These are some basic examples, used more for humour but this can’t be much beyond a 1st Grade Level Spelling Vocabulary.
Laurie Sefton Premium Member about 3 years ago
Homonyms ‘r’ us
pearlsbs about 3 years ago
Here hear!
Madness threw and through!
Four sure, for sure!
Wilde Bill about 3 years ago
Oh, deer!
Ida No about 3 years ago
Eye ate flour hear, deer. Good thing you can’t mess up mayonnaise…
Digital Frog about 3 years ago
English doesn’t borrow from other languages, it follows them down dark alleys, hits them over the head, and then goes through their pockets for loose grammar.
pschearer Premium Member about 3 years ago
To too two. For fore four. Sight site cite. Rain rein reign.
Could be worse. I’m told French has six words pronounced “oo”.
But at least we are spared the horror of grammatic gender.
mariodealpine Premium Member about 3 years ago
An Iranian friend of mine (before Ayatollah Khamenei) stated the exact same thing 40yrs ago. English is difficult. I’m kind of puzzled by it. Why all the words that sound similar?
Pedmar Premium Member about 3 years ago
It gets even worse. “Read” is also the past tense of “read” but it’s pronounced “red.”
crookedwolf Premium Member about 3 years ago
English is tuff stuff, enough!
Andrew Sleeth about 3 years ago
Seems to me it’s Wallace’s education that’s lacking here.
ddjg about 3 years ago
There’s a book by Richard Marschall: “The Tough Coughs as He Ploughs the Dough: Early Writings and Cartoons by Dr. Seuss.”
jschumaker about 3 years ago
I think Spud’s whole life is filled with madness.
Corwin Haught Premium Member about 3 years ago
That is some incredible luck, having those three words come up.
rhpii about 3 years ago
I’m thinking Spud is more of a ones and zeros kind of guy.
Tentoes about 3 years ago
I might have been able to spell the words, but WRITING them was a different matter entirely.
PrairieFlower about 3 years ago
I would love to know if, in Will’s mind, the bird has a name. He’s one of the little gems of this strip.
Mighty Phavahg about 3 years ago
“Ghoti” is pronounced “fish.” You’re welcome.
raybarb44 about 3 years ago
Have comfort in the knowledge that we all went through what you are going through today but probably without having as good a friend as Wallace helping us…..
scyphi26 about 3 years ago
And English-speakers wonder why foreigners are so slow to learn English…
B.comics.61 about 3 years ago
Will “Henrie” — nice Easter egg.
Dr_Fogg about 3 years ago
This is why we always defined the these types of words. Spell flower, like in, I like to smell the pretty flowers.Spell flour, like in, what mom uses to make bread.
donwestonmysteries about 3 years ago
That’s why the teacher gives each word in a sentence.
Thinkingblade about 3 years ago
I know a few languages and have friends who speak many more and every language has things like this – some are worse than others. I think the cases where the languages are really similar -like Indonesian and Malay have more of this than others.
Thinkingblade about 3 years ago
And yet, for their age they are quite articulate! That either means Spud is succumbing to the madness … or knows more than he thinks. Could be both?
goboboyd about 3 years ago
Could this be the reason why many English speakers find it hard to learn other languages? We are suspicious of all the exceptions.
NWdryad about 3 years ago
Notice that two of the three words are associated with eating, so that makes sense for Spud.
GKBOWOOD Premium Member about 3 years ago
I always wanted to create a blog about this topic but realized I was lousy at typing and even worse at writing…
mr_sherman Premium Member about 3 years ago
English is possibly only second to Chinese for a new learner older than a toddler because of many of the reasons people have stated above. Because the Islands of Britain and Ireland were if not conquered, highly influenced by neighboring conquerors, the language had to adapt to the language of the conquering peoples. English still adopts, or steals, words that come from foreign languages.
FunnyMinnion about 3 years ago
Man I feel ya Spud
ThePersonOnGoComics about 3 years ago
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Wheresmyscissors about 3 years ago
Whil Hennrie. Heh.
MichelleZhivago over 2 years ago
It might help to put the words in context, in a sentence. And it’s not very useful to tell the confused student, “Wrong.” and never explain why. Spell out correctly the word that he just got wrong. And again, what grade are they in? These are some basic examples, used more for humour but this can’t be much beyond a 1st Grade Level Spelling Vocabulary.