[NLA] truespel and IPA

tom zurinskas tzurinskas at yahoo.com
Mon Jan 7 08:40:41 EST 2002


I work for the FAA.  When I started truespel I thought
it would be a useful accent-reduction tool for ESL
pilots and air traffic controllers for English, the
standard language of aviation.  A couple years and
60,000 words later the entire English language was
rewritten.  The database is two columns on a
spreadsheet.  This enabled the converter to be built,
which is now free at
http://www.foreignword.com/dictionary/truespel/transpel.htm.
 
Thus truespel has achieved these firsts:
1. It’s the first qwerty based pronunciation guide
that shows stressed syllables.
2. It’s the most accurate phonetic spelling of USA
accent,
3. It forms the basis of a new phonetic standard that
is being applied to all major languages.
4. It’s a new analysis tool for counting the many ways
phonemes are used and spelled.

The relevance for adult/child ESL teachers is that
truespel is a much better phonetic technique than the
present IPA.  (To see an IPA converter go to:
http://www.foreignword.com/dictionary/IPA/transipa.htm.).
 Also truespel can be used as an initial teaching
alphabet (i.t.a.)  This would make reading English
very easy for those who know their letters already. 
They can start by truespeling their primary language,
then transition to English.  In fact they could read
English (or any language in truespel) phonetically
correctly and understandable by others, although they
don’t know yet what it means. 

Regards dyslexia, recent studies show that
non-phonetic spelling “causes” dyslexia, because the
more phonetic languages such have less dyslexia that
the less phonetic languages, English (search on
Paulesu).  
But dyslexics due have a unique brain problem, are not
typical, and special service need be done for them in
any event.

I hope to determine the worth of truespel and it’s
best applications.  Many thanks to the moderator of
this forum enabling me to bring this out.  

Tom Zurinskas
Creator of truespel
Tzurinskas at yahoo.com





--- LROWL6996 at aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 1/4/2002 11:32:03 AM Central
> Standard Time, 
> discoverbooks at hotmail.com writes:
> > I submit that synthetic phonetic devices such as
> Truespel, Shavian, etc., are
> > devastatingly confusing and counter-productive for
> dyslexic or other
> > language-disabled individuals or for second
> language learners.
> > 
> I disagree with the above statement.  I find
> phonetic spelling is the best 
> method for teaching pronunciation to my students of
> ESL.  Yes we teach 
> grammar, spelling, etc., but the foriegn born must
> learn to pronounce to be 
> understood by American born in our society.
> 
> Linda Rowland, Education Director
> The International Center
> W.K.R.M.A.A., Inc.
> 806 Kenton Street
> Bowling Green, KY 42101
> phone: 270-781-8336
> fax:     270-781-8136
> 


=====
Read all about truespel at truespel.com.  
Convert text to truespel USA accent by copy/pasting it at: http://www.foreignword.com/dictionary/truespel/transpel.htm

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