摘要

本文介绍了美国历史上从建国初期到20世纪初期的三次较为重要的简化拼写改革。作者整理了三次改革各自的背景、措施、影响，并从整体上分析了美国在英语拼写改革上面临的困境。经研究发现，英语本身的复杂性、群众对语言的影响力的扩大以及社会环境的变化使得上述改革中的大部分拼写改革方案不能长期留存。作者认为，语言改革者在简化拼写时不能只追求“音形一致”，而需综合运用词汇学、语音学、形态学等多领域知识；官方在推行语言政策时要因时制宜，使改革符合人民的实际需要。英语如今已经成为世界通用语，这意味着改革者不能闭门造车，而应该增加与社会各界的合作，顺应历史发展的规律。

关键词：简化拼写；美国英语；英语正字法；语言改革

Contents

1. Introduction 1

2. Literature Review 2

2.1 Studies on Three Important Simplified Spelling Reforms of America

2.2 Previous Research on English Orthography and Language Change

3. The Details of Three Major Simplified Spelling Reforms in America 4

3.1 Webster’s Spelling Reform

3.1.1 Background of Webster’s Simplified Spelling Reform

3.1.2 Webster’s Measures to Simplify Words

3.2 Reform of the SRA and the APA

3.2.1 Background of the Spelling Reform in the Mid-to-late 19th Century

3.2.2 Simplifications of the SRA and the APA

3.3 Reform of the SSB

3.3.1 Background of the SSB’s Reform

3.3.2 Reform Measures of the SSB

4. The Impacts of the Simplified Spelling Movement in America 9

4.1 Inheritance and Development of the Reforms

4.2 Impacts on Language and Society

5. The Dilemma of Simplifying Spelling in America11

5.1 Contradictoriness and Complexity of English Orthography

5.2 Conflicts Between the Public Will and Government’s Language Policies

6. Conclusion 13

Bibliography 15

Acknowledgements 17