I’ve been thinking a lot about spelling and the alphabet lately. Not really sure what has prompted the issue, but I have come to the conclusion that we could knock the alphabet down to about twenty two letters and simplify the whole process of spelling.

Now I know that there are purest out there that insist that everything be spelled the correct way. And I am all for doing things correctly. But I also think that if we have a system that makes “know since,” then we should get together and change the system.

Number one item on my list is the letter “C”. I think this is the most useless letter in the alphabet. “C” has two sounds. First, it makes the “k” sound that you would find in the word ‘cat’. Second, it makes the “s” sound in a word like “cent”. In the word “success,” we get the “k” and “s” sound out of the same letter – right next to each other. Why do they do that? I say scratch the letter “C” all together and just use the letters “k” and “s”.

Next thing on my list, is the letter “w”. Why is it called “double u” when it looks like a “double v”? If we are going to call it “double u”, then dump the letter and use two “u” in its place. Also, in words like “now”, get rid of the “w” and replace it with just one “u” just like we use “ou” in words like “out”. Nou do you see uuhy my system is better?

This may shock you, but I present the letter “M” as a prime candidate for impeachment. What is the letter “M”? Its just an “N” with an extra line attached to it. So I say dump the “M” and just use two “N’s” instead. That would be the “nnanly” thing to do.

“Y” – don’t need it. Replace it with “e” and “i”. For example, “I don’t know whi I can’t to tricks on the toi eo-eo.” Simple, simple, simple.

I am sure that some people would be concerned about using two “N’s” and two “U’s” and feeling like they would be using extra key strokes. I would like to address this by identifying some of the redundant letters we use constantly.

“Q”. Totally over rated. You can’t use the darn thing unless you put a “u” after it. We all know that there is going to be a “u” right after someone has used the letter “Q”. I even checked the dictionary. Every “Q” word had a “U” right after it. From “Quack” to “Quotient” So why do we need to have the “u” at all? Can't we all just agree that when ever we use "Q" it makes the "Q" sound all by its self? Can't we all just get along?

“CK” like in the word “check”. Have you ever wondered – is it the “k” that is silent or is it the “c”? I can’t decide.

“ss” as in “less”. Do you think someone is “less miserable” than the person who is only “les miserable”? Two “S’s” should make a different sound than one “S”. Under the current system, I think it should be pronounced “lessssss than normal" (someone really not normal) and "les than normal" (someone who is just a little quirky.)

The whole thing has got me befuddled. I’m sure I am a bad influence on the kids. Just yesterday, Sawyer declared that he will no longer be using silent letters unless they have a purpose. I K-no-W how he feels.