语言作为一种“表达观念的符号系统”(a system of distinct signs corresponding to distinct ideas),在交际时以词为独立应用的意义单位。交际内容落实到书面上(即形成所谓的“书面语”),必须以词的统一“正确”拼写为前提。因此,词的拼写法有时又叫做“正字法”。虽然英语的拼写体系并不那么系统,但是稍加归纳,我们便不难发现英语拼写体系中一些具体的、规律性的东西。 Language, as a system of distinct signs corresponding to distinct ideas, uses words as independent units of meaning in communication. The content of the communication is implemented on paper (that is, the formation of a so-called “written language”), and must be based on the premise that the word is “correctly” spelled out. Therefore, the word spelling is sometimes called “orthography.” Although the English spelling system is not so systematic, it is not difficult to find some specific and regular things in the English spelling system.