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Chapter 12: Written Language
Chapter Overview and Objectives
This chapter introduces students to concepts related to writing systems, the English spelling
system, and errors in written English. After completing this chapter, students should be able to
٪ Distinguish between a writing and a drawing system.
٪ Identify an instance of writing as morphographic, syllabic, or alphabetic.
Key Terms and Concepts
iconic representation
pictograph
ideograph
alphabetic writing
Great Vowel Shift
morphophonemic
phonetic spelling
unstressed syllable deletion
count/noncount nouns
Commentary on Chapter 12
This relatively short chapter should not present any particular problems for students. It can be
taught in conjunction with Chapter 7 for a more extended unit on written language. Chapter
12 draws more on concepts from phonology and morphology, while Chapter 7 draws more
Suggested Answers to Exercises
Exercise A, pp. 266–267
1. The morning sun shines through the trees in the east. A person can rest under a tree.
Exercise B, p. 268
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Exercise C, p. 270
Exercise D, p. 271
Exercise E, p. 272
Exercise F, p. 273
1. Morphophonemic. It is spelled the same (a) even when it represents different phonemic
Exercise G, pp. 274–276
1. †
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Exercise H, p. 277
1. a. (1) consonant cluster reduction
Supplementary Exercises, pp. 278–279
1. syllabic
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9. Using an o to represent the vowels reflects morphographic spelling, which clarifies that all
of the words contain the same morpheme.
Exploratory Exercises, p. 279
1. Answers will vary.
2. Answers will vary.