## [Why we spell the way we do: Part 1](/en/blogue-blog/why-we-spell-the-way-we-do1-eng) Posted on May 17, 2021 Written by [Anne-Marie Tugwell (About the author)](/en/blogue-blog/why-we-spell-the-way-we-do1-eng#auteur-author), Language Portal of Canada ![](/sites/default/files/blog_why-we-spell-the-way-we-do-376x250.png) In elementary school, I enjoyed spelling quizzes. But I don’t think that I could have ever become a spelling bee champion. The spellings of words such as “ealdorman,” “marocain” or “koinonia” aren’t obvious to me. Mastering the art of spelling, even for native speakers, is certainly not an easy task. Finding patterns in English is difficult because the language has a long history of borrowing or deriving vocabulary from other languages. English is a blend of spelling systems that entered the language at different times. Let’s take a look at the main languages that influenced English spelling. ## Old English In doing research for this post, I discovered that Old English is called Old English for a reason. The origins of the language date as far back as the 5th century! Around that time, three main Germanic tribes invaded England. They spoke Anglo-Saxon, otherwise known as Old English. I was fascinated to learn that some 4,500 words of Anglo-Saxon origin are still used in English today.[Footnote 1](#fn1) After falling down a rabbit hole of searching for words with Anglo-Saxon origins in the [Online Etymology Dictionary (opens in new tab)](https://www.etymonline.com/), I discovered that we use these words every day. Did you know that “friend” used to be spelled “freond,” that “food” was “foda” or that “laughter” was “hleahtor”? Verbs used for our daily activities, such as “eat” (from “etan”) and “sleep” (from “slaepan”), also have Anglo-Saxon roots. In Old English, most words had various spellings, and their spellings evolved as they took on their modern form. But a few words, including “he,” “of,” “him,” “for” and “on,” have stood the test of time and are spelled exactly the same way today as they were back then.[Footnote 2](#fn2) ## French When taking *dictées* in my French immersion classes, I always wondered why so many words were spelled either identically or at least similarly to their English equivalents. How did they enter the English language, I wondered, and why were there so many? After William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066, Norman French was used by the court, the government and the upper class.[Footnote 3](#fn3) As a result, many French words made their way into English.[Footnote 4](#fn4) This had a major impact on English spelling. For example, words like “table,” “double” and “centre” take their spelling directly from French.[Footnote 5](#fn5) Individual letters were also affected. “C” was used in Old English, but in many cases it was replaced by “k,” “ck” or “ch” after the Norman Conquest. “Cw” eventually became “qu,” so our current spelling of “quick” used to be “cwic.”[Footnote 6](#fn6) And French is just one of many languages that has affected English spelling. ## Latin and Greek I didn’t study Latin in high school, but it definitely would have come in handy in my science classes. Why? Because academics and scientists adopted a huge number of Latin words during the English Renaissance. The spelling of these English words was derived from Latin. For example, you might think that the double “m” in “summary” is unnecessary, and you might be right! The spelling of this word comes from the Latin *summarium*. Greek words also entered English during this time, often via Latin. For example, the Greek *arkhitekton* traded “k” for “c” in the Latin word *architectus*, then became *architecte* in French before entering English as the word “architect.”[Footnote 7](#fn7) You can see Greek influence in other English spelling patterns, too. Whenever a word has a “ph” in it (like “philosophy”), there’s likely some Greek in its history![Footnote 8](#fn8) Now that I’ve learned all about the history of the English language, I’m not surprised that I’ve never won a national spelling bee! Do you think that studying French, Latin, Greek or another language would improve your spelling? If you speak another language, have you noticed its influence on English spelling? Let me know in the comments! ## Sources Note 1 Mastin, L. (Editor). (2011). [Old English (c. 500 - c. 1100). (opens in new tab)](https://www.thehistoryofenglish.com/history_old.html) The History of English. [Return to footnote 1 referrer](#fn1-rf) Note 2 Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). [What are the origins of the English Language? (opens in new tab)](https://www.merriam-webster.com/help/faq-history) [Return to footnote 2 referrer](#fn2-rf) Note 3 Costa, N. (2020, July 8). [The Influence of French on the English Language! (opens in new tab)](https://www.cactuslanguage.com/french-on-the-english-language/) Cactus Language. [Return to footnote 3 referrer](#fn3-rf) Note 4 Duncan, E. (n.d.). [Borrowing in Middle English. (opens in new tab)](https://tigerweb.towson.edu/duncan/brmideng.html) [Return to footnote 4 referrer](#fn4-rf) Note 5 The English Spelling Society. (n.d.). [A brief history of English spelling. (opens in new tab)](http://spellingsociety.org/history#/page/3) [Return to footnote 5 referrer](#fn5-rf) Note 6 Mastin, L. (Editor). (2011). [Middle English (c. 1100 - c. 1500). (opens in new tab)](https://www.thehistoryofenglish.com/history_middle.html) The History of English. [Return to footnote 6 referrer](#fn6-rf) Note 7 I relied on the [Online Etymology Dictionary (opens in new tab)](https://www.etymonline.com/) and the Oxford English Dictionary for the history of the words in this section. [Return to footnote 7 referrer](#fn7-rf) Note 8 Peraki, M. and Vougiouklaki, C. (2015). [How has Greek influenced the English language? (opens in new tab)](https://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/how-has-greek-influenced-english-language) British Council. [Return to footnote 8 referrer](#fn8-rf) ## Disclaimer The opinions expressed in posts and comments published on the Our Languages blog are solely those of the authors and commenters and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Language Portal of Canada. - [Leave a comment](#article-comments) - [Read the comments (4) ](#comments) ## Get to know Anne-Marie Tugwell ![Anne-Marie Tugwell](/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/user_anne-marie-tugwell.png?itok=mNopJUKo) ### Anne-Marie Tugwell Anne-Marie Tugwell started her career teaching French, Spanish and English in private and public schools. She became a translator at the Translation Bureau in 2017, and she’s currently on assignment at the Language Portal of Canada. During her spare time, she enjoys designing jewelry and writing poetry. ## More posts by Anne-Marie Tugwell - [Why we spell the way we do: Part 2](/en/blogue-blog/why-we-spell-the-way-we-do2-eng) ## Search by related themes Looking for more blog posts on the same themes? Click on the links below to see all the posts on the Our Languages blog that relate to the theme you selected. The search results will be displayed in [Language Navigator](/en/navigateur-navigator). - [Spelling](/en/navigateur-navigator?search_api_fulltext=-&field_writing_tools=1416&sort_by=views&f%5B1%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A496#navigateur-navigator-resultats-results) - [Canadian spelling](/en/navigateur-navigator?search_api_fulltext=-&field_writing_tools=1416&sort_by=views&f%5B0%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A496&f%5B1%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A497#navigateur-navigator-resultats-results) ## Leave a comment Please consult the “Comments and interaction” section on the [Canada.ca Terms and conditions page](https://www.canada.ca/en/transparency/terms.html) before adding your comment. The Language Portal of Canada reviews comments before they’re posted. We reserve the right to edit, refuse or remove any question or comment that violates these commenting guidelines. By submitting a comment, you permanently waive your moral rights, which means that you give the Government of Canada permission to use, reproduce, edit and share your comment royalty-free, in whole or in part, in any manner it chooses. You also confirm that nothing in your comment infringes third party rights (for example, the use of a text from a third party without his or her permission). Join in the conversation and share your comments! You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. Your name **(required)** Email address (Example: yourname@domain.com) Comment **(required)** Submit Leave this field blank ## Comments Comments are displayed in the language they were submitted. Read comments Submitted by Juan Aristizabal on May 18, 2021, at 12:50 Wow! Right now, I'm studying English and it seems like an excellent post, it helped me to understand many things. Thank you! Very interesting. - [Reply](/en/comment/reply/node/69396/comment/5652) Submitted by Gwen on May 18, 2021, at 13:09 What a fascinating read. Word origins have always interested me. Thanks for the pleasure. - [Reply](/en/comment/reply/node/69396/comment/5653) Submitted by Anne-Marie Tugwell on May 19, 2021, at 10:42 You’re welcome! Learning English is challenging. I’m glad that my post has given you some insight into how the language has evolved. - [Reply](/en/comment/reply/node/69396/comment/5654) Submitted by Anne-Marie Tugwell on May 19, 2021, at 10:43 You’re welcome! It was an interesting topic to research. Since you’re interested in the history of the language, don’t forget to read Part 2, which will be posted in a couple of weeks! - [Reply](/en/comment/reply/node/69396/comment/5655) ## Related links - [Our Languages blog archives](/en/blogue-blog-archives) - [Write a post for the Our Languages blog](/en/blogue-blog/contribute-contribuer) - [Editorial policy for the Our Languages blog](/en/blogue-blog/politique-policy-eng) - [The Golden Quill: An initiative of the Our Languages blog](/en/blogue-blog/plume-dor-golden-quill-eng) - [Our Languages blog](/en/blogue-blog-index) (home page) - [Contact the Language Portal of Canada](/en/apropos-about-eng#a8) - 3531 views - [Join in the conversation and share your comments!](/en/blogue-blog/why-we-spell-the-way-we-do1-eng#comment-form "Share your thoughts and opinions.") Language English