[NIFL-AALPD:1022] Phonetics rather than phonics

From: tom zurinskas (tzurinskas@yahoo.com)
Date: Sat Feb 14 2004 - 07:21:30 EST


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From: tom zurinskas <tzurinskas@yahoo.com>
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Subject: [NIFL-AALPD:1022] Phonetics rather than phonics
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Thanks Joshua,

Yes to your 1,2,3 below, probably to its maximum
extent at least in the area of decoding.  My vision
applies only to the decoding area.  First, the
pronunciation guide in our dictionaries needs be
changed to a simple “pronunciation guide spelling
system” that uses regular letters.  I have done this,
and my system which is freely available at
http://www.foreignword.com/dictionary/truespel/transpel.htm
  The entire English language is now rewritten in this
simple system in USA accent.  (A new dictionary is now
available in England which uses Jolly Phonics as its
pronunciation guide.  Unfortunately it uses special
symbols)

The advantage of such a simple system is that it can
be used as an initial learning system.  It’s easy to
learn, and learners can write as well as read
immediately.  Thus, this integrates the same system
for learning reading/writing and dictionary
pronunciation guide.  It also will be used to spell
phonetically other languages as a translation guide.  
This integrates the whole decoding area.

Learning to read with a “synthetic” phonetic system is
proven as a good way to do it.  Such systems as i.t.a,
Unifon, and “Writing to Read” by the late Dr Henry
Martin all showed enhanced reading success.  The
latest is the Scottish “synthetic” spelling system
which shows after a 5-year follow-up that transition
to regular spelling is positive and that the children,
especially boys, maintain their advantage over
students taught with other methods.  It’s even better
than teaching that uses analytic phonics. 
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/education/ins4-00.asp
  The disadvantage of these other systems is that they
use special symbols.  My system does not, thus it’s
keyboard enterable.  I envision it being used by word
processors such that a word can be typed in
phonetically to return correct spelling.

Using regular letters has also made my system
accessible to analysis, especially with spreadsheets. 
I’ve just published a book showing the many ways the
sounds of USA English are spelled ranking the
frequency of appearance of sounds in the dictionary as
compared to normal speech (words as used in
newspapers).

So this is my little niche.  It’s a bit of an
expansion of phonics/phonetics than before.  It’s only
a decoding and pronunciation aid.   The database and
my support are available to researchers who are
interested in further testing.  I’m a retired FAA
human factors researcher and QA analyst and am
devoting full time to this project.  A CD is available
for trials as a phonemic awareness aptitude test.  For
more info try truespel.com or
http://www.1stbooks.com/cgi-bin/1st?partner~1st|type~6|Data1~16593

Tom Z





--- Joshua Hayes <joshchayes@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Tom,
> The need for phonemic awareness in children and
> adults is well established.  
> Do you think the literacy crisis in our country can
> be solved by providing
> 
> (1) an initial learning alphabet for kids to obtain
> reading/writing 
> capability,
> (2) which transitions as kids learn traditional
> spelling to a dictionary 
> pronunciation and word-lookup guide,
> (3) that also serves as a standard pronunciation
> guide for other languages 
> rewritten in truespel.
> as you said in a letter to the editor of Literacy
> Innovations in July/August 
> 2001.
> http://www.literacy.org/li/li200108/comments.html
> 
>   Language, writing, and literacy are not
> multiplication tables to be 
> memorized, but the way we communicate, socialize and
> participate as 
> citizens.  Exactly what aspects of a phonics only
> instruction would cover 
> the critical thinking skills needed to master the
> objectives of, say, a 
> Civics class under the English Language/Civics
> programs preparing students 
> for citizenship.  Would you consider these courses
> simply literacy and test 
> prep?  I feel that they are an integral part of
> illustrating to immigrants 
> the benfits of our country and society.  And in much
> the same way, native 
> english speaking adults in literacy and GED
> programs, espically those of us 
> who work with the homeless, new immigrants, and the
> incarcerated, are 
> fundamentally alienated from mainstream society.
>   If you feel that these classes have some
> responsibility for preparing 
> students to be full and active members of our
> democratic society, exactly 
> how will phonics only help them develop the critical
> reading and writing 
> skills neccessary to express their beliefs and
> identities within their 
> communties and to show their children the neccesity
> for education, 
> self-reliance, and all the other "American Dream"
> rhetoric surrounding the 
> No Child Left Behind goals?
>   Does anyone know where phonics only advocates draw
> the line, or do we 
> integrate an arithmetic approach to all aspects of
> adults' and children's 
> literacy?
> Josh
> 
> Josh
> Joshua Craig Hayes
> Adult Literacy Instructor
> SEARCH Project
> 2505 Fannin
> Houston, Texas 77002
> 713-739-7752 ext 135
> http://www.searchproject.org
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ----Original Message Follows----
> From: tom zurinskas <tzurinskas@yahoo.com>
> Reply-To: nifl-aalpd@nifl.gov
> To: Multiple recipients of list
> <nifl-aalpd@literacy.nifl.gov>
> Subject: [NIFL-AALPD:1015] Re: Don't cede the realm
> of research to the 
> positivists
> Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 17:55:05 -0500 (EST)
> 
> 
> --- AndresMuro@aol.com wrote:
>  > Trouble is, that thay ain't even positivists.
>  > Yesterday we got a phonics message that had not
> even
>  > a hint of scientific research. It was all based
> on
>  > opinions of one guy, that wrote a long an
>  > sensationalist and unscientific article.
>  >
>  > Andres
> 
> The message on phonics sited this research with
> regard
> to prison literacy  "Even more troubling are the
> findings of The Orton Dyslexia Society that
> illiterate
> adults account for 75 percent of the unemployed, one
> third of the mothers receiving AFDC, 85 percent of
> the
> juveniles who appear in court, 60 percent of prison
> inmates, and nearly 40 percent of minority youth.”
> Perhaps you missed the citation.
> 
> Tom Z
> 
> =====
> Read all about truespel at truespel.com.
> Read “Truespel Book One: Analysis of the Sounds
> (Phonemes) of USA English
>
http://www.1stbooks.com/cgi-bin/1st?partner~1st|type~6|Data1~16593
> Convert text to truespel USA accent by copy/pasting
> it at: 
>
http://www.foreignword.com/dictionary/truespel/transpel.htm
> 
> 
> __________________________________
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>
_________________________________________________________________
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> 


=====
Read all about truespel at truespel.com. 
Read “Truespel Book One: Analysis of the Sounds (Phonemes) of USA English 
http://www.1stbooks.com/cgi-bin/1st?partner~1st|type~6|Data1~16593 
Convert text to truespel USA accent by copy/pasting it at: http://www.foreignword.com/dictionary/truespel/transpel.htm


__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Finance: Get your refund fast by filing online.
http://taxes.yahoo.com/filing.html



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