Orthography (AQA A-Level English Language): Revision Notes
Orthography
What is orthography?
Orthography is the term used to describe the conventional spelling system of a language. This system is based on accepted rules and standards that govern how words are spelled, how letters function within those words, and how punctuation is used to structure written communication. Understanding orthography is essential for analysing language change and variation over time.
It's crucial to recognise that orthography is not fixed or static. Language develops and adapts alongside societal evolution, which means that spellings once considered acceptable can fall out of use or be replaced by new conventions. This dynamic nature of spelling reflects broader patterns of linguistic and cultural change.
Historical developments in English orthography
The shift from Middle English to Modern English
One of the most significant changes in English orthography occurred during the transition from Middle English to Modern English. This period witnessed a substantial reformation of spelling norms, transforming how the language was written and standardised.
The introduction of the printing press played a pivotal role in this transformation. As printed texts became more widespread, there was increasing pressure to standardise spelling conventions. Printers made choices about how words should be spelled, and these decisions gradually became established as norms. This technological innovation didn't just spread ideas; it fundamentally shaped the orthographic system we use today.
The Printing Press and Standardisation
The printing press didn't just mechanise book production—it created a need for consistency. When printers had to set type for thousands of copies, they needed to make decisions about spelling that would then be replicated across all those texts. This process of repetition and widespread distribution gradually established certain spellings as "correct" or "standard."
The Great Vowel Shift and orthographic change
Between the 15th and 18th centuries, English pronunciation underwent a dramatic transformation known as the Great Vowel Shift. During this period, the sounds of long vowels changed considerably, which had a direct impact on spelling practices.
The Spelling-Pronunciation Disconnect
This shift created a notable disconnect between how words were spelled and how they were pronounced. Many spellings retained their earlier forms even as pronunciation evolved, which explains why English orthography can seem irregular compared to pronunciation. Understanding this historical development helps explain apparent inconsistencies in modern English spelling patterns.
Contemporary influences on orthography
Technology and new spelling conventions
In the contemporary era, technology continues to exert a substantial influence on orthographic practices. Text-speak, which emerged with mobile phone messaging and has proliferated through social media, has introduced new spelling conventions that prioritise brevity and speed.
Examples of these conventions include using 'u' instead of 'you' or 'r' instead of 'are'. While these may not be acceptable in formal writing, they represent genuine orthographic innovations that reflect how technology shapes language use. These changes demonstrate that orthography continues to evolve in response to new communication contexts.
Text-Speak as Linguistic Innovation
Text-speak is often dismissed as "incorrect" or "lazy" language use, but from a linguistic perspective, it represents genuine innovation. These abbreviations follow consistent patterns and rules, just like any other orthographic system. They show how language users adapt written communication to meet the demands of new technologies and communication speeds.
Global variations in English spelling
The global spread of English has contributed to orthographical variations across different regions. American English and British English, for instance, have developed different accepted spellings for numerous words, reflecting their separate linguistic histories and standardisation processes.
British vs American Spelling Differences
A well-known example is the word colour, which retains the 'u' in British English but is spelled color in American English.
Other common examples include:
- British: realise / American: realize
- British: centre / American: center
- British: travelling / American: traveling
- British: defence / American: defense
- British: grey / American: gray
These variations aren't errors; they represent legitimate differences in orthographic conventions.
Broader linguistic and social context
Sociolinguistic factors
Knowledge of orthographic changes deepens our understanding of language change and variation more broadly. Examining spelling changes helps us comprehend sociolinguistic factors such as the influence of technology, immigration patterns, trade relationships, and colonisation on language development.
For example, spelling variations can reveal power dynamics between different English-speaking regions, show how new technologies create linguistic innovation, or demonstrate how language contact leads to borrowing and adaptation. Orthography serves as a window into these larger social and cultural processes.
Orthography and Power
The spelling conventions that become "standard" often reflect the political and economic power of the regions or groups that use them. For instance, American spelling conventions gained legitimacy partly due to the United States' growing global influence in the 20th century, particularly in technology and media industries.
Interconnections with other linguistic levels
It's important to remember that orthographical changes don't occur in isolation. They are interconnected with changes in other aspects of language, including phonology (sound systems), semantics (meaning), and grammar (sentence structure).
Take a Holistic View
When analysing orthographic change, always consider how it relates to these other linguistic levels. For instance, the Great Vowel Shift involved phonological change that necessitated orthographic adjustments. Similarly, grammatical changes can influence punctuation conventions. Taking this holistic view provides a more comprehensive understanding of how language evolves.
Exam tips
Essential Exam Strategies
- When discussing orthography in exam answers, always provide specific historical or contemporary examples to support your points
- Consider the relationship between spelling and pronunciation, particularly when discussing historical change
- Link orthographic change to broader sociolinguistic factors such as technology, standardisation, or language contact
- Remember that orthographic variation (such as British vs American spellings) is a form of language variation worth analysing
- Use technical terminology accurately, defining terms like phonology, semantics, and grammar when relevant
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Orthography refers to the conventional spelling system, including rules for spelling, letter function, and punctuation use
- English orthography has changed significantly over time, particularly during the Middle English to Modern English transition and the Great Vowel Shift (15th-18th centuries)
- The printing press was instrumental in standardising English spelling conventions
- Contemporary technology has introduced new orthographic conventions, such as text-speak abbreviations
- Global variations exist between British and American English spelling (e.g., colour/color)
- Orthographic changes are always connected to broader linguistic changes in phonology, semantics, and grammar, as well as sociolinguistic factors like technology, trade, and colonisation