In this paper, we argue that second language (L2) reading research, which has been informed by studies involving first language (L1) alphabetic English reading, may be less relevant to L2 readers with non-alphabetic reading backgrounds, such as Chinese readers with an L1 logographic (Chinese character) learning history. We provide both…

This paper proposes a reading support technique for Arabic students of English. These students must overcome the L1 interference "reversal of reading direction." PowerPoint presentations, utilizing a simple fade effect with adjustable delay between words such that the text appears nicely in a left-to-right manner, line by line with voice…

One of the most important skills for children to develop in the kindergarten year is the recognition that letters and sounds are related. It is often called "the alphabetic principle"--the notion that speech sounds can be connected to letters in a predictable way. To grasp the alphabetic principle, children need to understand that: (1) letters…

To eliminate confusion caused by diverse spellings in Italian texts of words from languages using the Cyrillic alphabet, the adoption of a common system is urged that would establish correspondence between the letters and sounds of the two languages but keep the form of the original as much as possible. (CFM)

Describes a phonetic spelling scheme called "Rational Spelling" that is claimed to be easy to learn and use and that could be used to encourage students to read and write freely at an early age. (SR)

The irregularity of English spelling rules, dialect differences, and an inability to identify sound segments within a single syllable are three important reasons teachers and students have difficulty teaching and learning reading using phonics. Within the same language, phonics rules may need to be adapted to fit the dialect of the student or of…

Assessed Caramazza and Miceli's graphemic buffer organization theory by comparing the performance of two patients with graphemic buffer disorder. Noted effects of orthographic structure, deletions, insertions, and transposition. Found that neuropsychological evidence does not at present support the concept of the orthographic syllable. (MOK)

DeFrancis' recent essay on the development and status of Hanyu Pinyin, "The Why of Pinyin Grapheme Selection," is critiqued, particularly his account of how the Hanyu Pinyin transcription was developed and the argument that it is not only rational but effectively permanent. (LB)

Argues that learning how to read in an alphabetic system requires children to understand the complex relationship between print and speech. Suggests that prereading and beginning reading instruction should be designed to facilitate the acquisition of phonemic awareness. Recommends specific practices for reading instruction. (RS)

The traditional theory of Chinese writing is that it is divorced from the language because as a non-alphabetic system, it cannot represent real speech. Chinese writing, however, is a functional linguistic system in its own right. Writing does not need to be totally dependent on speech, but can be related either to the phonological or the semantic…

Using 17, 211 words drawn from the word list compiled for the Stanford Spelling Study (1963) and drawing upon the "American Heritage Dictionary of the American Language" as the pronunciation reference, a researcher approached the language as if little was known about its letter-sound relationships and examined by computer the letter-sound…

It is impractical, unproductive, and unfair to persist in harsh criticism of spelling errors in French taught as a second language. It is more useful to reflect, with students, on the extremes of orthography in the language with the objective of learning from this exercise. (MSE)

Describes an algorithm for developing a domain knowledge base used in a Japanese language intelligent tutoring system. The domain knowledge represents a model of the expertise required of a student for proficiency in reading "katakana," a Japanese orthography. The algorithm described can generate a knowledge base of Japanese phonological…

Uses a tongue-in-cheek approach and enumerates 12 culprits that historically have created havoc among children in their quest to learn to read and understand the English language, including word attack skills, graphemic-phonemic relationships, compound words, homographs, semantic analysis, and more. (SR)

Argues that the phoneme is a meaning-bearing unit--not a sound--and must be used in conjunction with semantic and syntactic information. (AEW)