What is spelling? This question is asked by everyone at school. However, it is very difficult to fully understand what this concept contains in itself. Let's try to figure it out.
So, spelling is a set of rules that determine the rules for the transfer of words and sentences in writing using a system of signs. The main function of spelling is the creation of general rules in the spelling of words for each person in order to make communication understandable to other speakers of a particular language. Since spelling appeared simultaneously with writing, it is writing that influences its basic rules. Spelling in different languages is built on different principles - phonetic, morphological and semantic, but more on that later.
History of Russian spelling
To better understand what spelling of the Russian language is, you need to find out a few facts from its history. The basis of modern Russian graphics is the Cyrillic alphabet - the alphabet that was used by the ancient Slavs. According to legend, the Cyrillic alphabet was invented by a Greek missionary in order to preach Christianity in Slavic countries. Later, manuscripts began to be written in Cyrillic. In the 18th century, Peter the Great invented the civic alphabet; later, in 1917, spelling reform took place. After several decades, in 1956, new rules were streamlined - “The Rules of Russian Spelling and Punctuation”.
What is spelling: principles of spelling
1) Morphological principle. It consists in establishing the general spelling of specific morphemes, regardless of the phonetic differences in their pronunciation. This principle has a high level of meaning. Such spelling is considered more perfect and promising than others. Note that Russian spelling is built precisely on the morpheme principle.
2) The phonetic principle. This type of spelling is focused on pronunciation. Words, according to him, are written as they are pronounced. General spelling can be achieved through the general designation of specific sounds. If the language is built on the basis of such spelling, it is very difficult to follow the pronunciation in the letter. It is believed that each person hears the word in his own way, so if the spelling is based only on the phonetic principle, it is almost impossible to achieve its uniformity.
3) The historical principle. According to him, you need to write as you wrote before, that is, this principle of spelling construction can be called traditional.
There is also a differentiating principle, which is to distinguish in writing that which does not differ in pronunciation. It is used very rarely in distinguishing homonyms or homophones, for example.
Today, you can check the spelling of the text even on the Internet. The system of rules for writing words has long been streamlined, and experts have created a huge number of programs that can help prevent mistakes. Basic spelling rules can also be found in textbooks on the Russian language, which, perhaps, were not very interesting in school times. Read them again from cover to cover, read this article, and the question “what is spelling” will disappear once and for all.