This week's readings basically provided information on orthography, how writing systems developed, and how to view spelling and reading instruction based on knowledge of orthography and phonetics.
Writing is a rather new phenomenon that came about from earlier use of pictograms that originally represented objects or ideas. Basically, writing systems can be syllabic (symbols represent syllables like cuneiform), logographic (symbols represent morphemes/words like modern Chinese) and alphabetic (symbols represent phonemes). English is alphabetic. Unfortunately, English does not achieve a one to one correspondence between sounds and letters, which has led to a rather complex system of spelling...much to the chagrin of ELLs.
Language evolves. As such its orthography evolves also. English, for example, has gone through periods known as Old English, Middle English and Modern English. American influences have brought about changes to English as well. Basically, English spelling can be determined by three forces--phonetic (spell words the way they sound), semantic (spell words alike that share meaning), and etymological (spell words to reflect origin). Although English spelling is complex, patterns do emerge. Teaching students about these patterns may be the most effective way of teaching spelling.
Finally, knowledge of writing and spelling will influence how teachers teach spelling and reading. The two main camps, which we have read about previously, are the word recognition (WR) view and the sociopsycholinguistic (SPL) view. The WR people focus on a systematic and explicit use of phonics to help students with a part to whole view of words and language arts. The SPL people teach students to construct meaning through background and one of three linguistic cueing systems, including graphophonics, within the context of real texts and settings.
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very great post. i would have to disagree with you on the fact of teaching students patterns. I guess i take more of a sociopsycholinguistic perspective, where students acquire graphophonic knowledge through reading. A more subconscious approach. Every one has their opinions. I value your insight and knowledge in this class.
ReplyDeleteIn the light of my experience I feel myself to the sociopyscholinguistic perspective, too. On the other hand we should keep in mind that every individual is unique so it had better to use both of them in a certain degree.
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