Our planet needs a universal language. This could be English. If so, a first step would be a single way of spelling it.
The UofH intends to start this debate, in time propose a solution, and then organize a vote - all with the maximum transparency and inter-activity offered by Internet today, and tomorrow, by InterV.
UNIVERSITY OF HOLLYWOOD MANIFESTO
THE MOVEMENT FOR AN IMPROVED WORLD LANGUAGE
Problem - Opportunity - Solution
English is the de facto world language. Of our planet’s six-billion-odd souls, at least 500 million speak it as a native language. And an equal amount use the tongue as a second language.
Three key problems impede the uptake of English as a genuine medium of global communication:
1) It has conflicting spelling conventions - American and British (* Starter list below)
2) It is not pronounced as it is written
3) Non-native English speakers feel their own cultures are threatened by a world language
Like its sister tongues, English grew haphazardly. In fact, in spite of institutions like the Academie Française, our mediums of communication should be permitted to change with the times.
For a language to be truly living, spelling, grammar and vocabulary must be constantly in flux.
The place to launch and promote the Improved World Language is the Internet. There, even more than in multi-national business, cinema, pop music and mass tourism, English is the standard of communications.
Proposed Rules for the improved World Language
A single spelling systemWords pronounced as (or almost)as they are spelled
‘Re-latinisation’: Latin, one of the roots of English, expressed much with few words.
Addition of recognisable words from other languages
Admission of numbers and symbols
(*) Here's a starter list of the conflicting spelling of North Atlantic English:
American British
Or (e.g., Labor) Our
Ck (e.g., Check) Que
Er (e.g., Center) Re
Z (e.g., Organize) S
CT (e.g., Connection) X
Any additions and/or corrections would be most welcome. Especially the former will receive abundant recognition.
