Gezabel Posted December 2, 2004 Posted December 2, 2004 My son attended a linguistics lecture on Monday and was given this to solve. It completely baffled me but thought you may like to try! He was given the word GHOTI ( no typing errors!!!) and told that by playing around with the sounds of letters, either individually or together he should be able to 'read' it as a well known word!! I asked him for some clues! and was told the answer has four letters and to find it you look at GHOTI and think what sounds these letters give when used in other words, then take those sounds and put them together to make the required word!! I confess to not succeeding so if it drives you mad and you want the answer I will post it but just thought you may have fun trying to solve it!! Oh! the complexities of the English language!!!! Quote
Beau Posted December 2, 2004 Posted December 2, 2004 I have come across this before and know the answer. Grammatically it can't happen though because the sounds are usually made in conjunction with other letters and not by themselves. (If you know what I mean! ) Having had a dyslexic son I already have an axe to grind with the written English language!! Quote
Gezabel Posted December 2, 2004 Author Posted December 2, 2004 Yes I know exactly what you mean I suppose that's what the lecturer meant when he said they were used individually or together in other words. I never would have worked it out I dont think. Even when my son explained it I had to think about it!! I too have an axe to grind with our wonderful language, both written and spoken. My personal hate is 'gunner' instead of 'going to' but there are many more!!! Quote
Susan Posted December 2, 2004 Posted December 2, 2004 Yes seen this one before and know the answer but find those sort of "phonics" very difficult so have to accept that it is correct!!!! There are some more interesting ones but I cant remember them! Quote
Guest Posted December 2, 2004 Posted December 2, 2004 FISH!! Cant remember the explanation, but Mundia will know it, so where are you Mundia!! Quote
Gezabel Posted December 2, 2004 Author Posted December 2, 2004 Oooh! Well done!!!! The explanation is: GH gives the sound 'f' as found in the end of the word enouGH O gives the sound 'i' as found in the word wOmen TI gives the sound 'sh' as in the 'ti' of the word emoTIon Think that's it!!!!! all clever stuff! Quote
mundia Posted December 2, 2004 Posted December 2, 2004 Hmm yes Im so glad you explained that Geraldine, as I wouldnt have remembered. Now isnt there a lovely poem about mastering te english language? Quote
Guest Posted December 2, 2004 Posted December 2, 2004 So does mine Sue!!! I would never have got it!!! Thanks for putting me out of my misery!!! Linda Quote
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