Spelling reform

Natural languages often develop cumbersome manners of spelling words. Particular sounds may be represented by various letter combinations, while one letter may be pronounced in various ways. This is especially true of languages such as English that borrow heavily from other languages. Spelling reforms generally attempt to introduce a logical structure connecting the spelling and pronunciation of words.

Russian spelling reforms

Main article: Reforms of Russian orthography.

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Over the time, there were a number of changes in spelling. They were mostly related with elimination of letters of the Cyrillic alphabet rendered obsolete by changes in phonetics.

Related Topics:
Cyrillic alphabet - Phonetics

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When Peter I introduced his "civil script" in 1708, based on more western-looking letter shapes, spelling was simplified as well.

Related Topics:
Peter I - 1708

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The most recent major reform of Russian spelling was carried out shortly after the Russian revolution. The Russian orthography was simplified by eliminating four obsolete letters and the archaic usage of the letter yer (hard sign) at the ends of words.

Related Topics:
Russian revolution - Orthography - Yer

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