The document discusses two opposing views on English spelling: that it is chaotic with little predictability, versus the perspective that it is a regular system with just a few irregularities. It explores linguist David Crystal's perspective on the issue and various historical factors that contributed to English spelling becoming more complex, such as the influence of Christian missionaries, the Normans, printing problems, and the Great Vowel Shift over time.

1. Crystal on Spelling

2. Two opposing views of English spelling Chaos There is so little predictability in English spellings that it is unreasonable to think of it as a system at all

3. Two opposing views of English spelling Order There is indeed a highly regular spelling system with just a few irregularities

4. Crystal's view

5. Crystal's view

6. Crystal's view

7. Crystal's view

8. I before e...

10. How did spelling become so difficult?

11. Christian missionaries

12. The Normans

13. Printing problems

14. The Great Vowel Shift time.

15. Indicating etymology

16. Loan Words

17. Reforming Spelling? model.