wCHAP.25d
(7/26/99)
CHAPTER XXV - D
GEORGE BERNARD SHAW:
As conceded in response to Pinker's skepticism about George Bernard Shaw's efforts to reform English spelling ( Pinker, p. 191), I think he is probably correct in his criticisms. However, I believe there is something to be learned from the phonetic English alphabet developed because of a prize set up in Shaw's will. Shaw left funds in his estate for the development of an efficient phonetic English alphabet. In order to ensure that the new alphabet was usable, a provision of the will required that one of his plays be printed in the alphabet.
In 1962 this alphabet was made public. Shaw's play ANDROCLES AND THE LION was published in 1962 by Penguin Books having parallel texts in Shaw and Roman alphabets on facing pages. This book is no longer in print so a sample using the opening of the play is included below to provide an opportunity to practice and become familiar with it.
THE SHAW ALPHABET READING KEY
This material will be added here as soon as time and circumstance permit.