Episode 174: Speak and Spell
The History of English Podcast
00:00
Exploring Silent Letters in English Words
This chapter delves into the historical basis and evolution of silent letters in English words, discussing examples like silent 'E', 'O', 'U', 'B', 'H', 'N', and 'GH'. It explores how silent letters originated from historical spellings influenced by other languages or pronunciation changes over time, emphasizing the challenges they pose in pronunciation and spelling. The discussion also highlights the retention of archaic spellings and differing views on pronunciation, recommending a light or soft approach for certain words.
Transcript
Play full episode
