A Philippic: On Orthographic Conventions for Dental Fricatives

English is quite an illogical language, but among all its idiosyncrasies, one stands out among all; namely, a contrast between voicing exists for dental fricatives: One is voiced and one is unvoiced. Which one is used depends upon context and particular lexical circumstances, but a disturbing reality exists: _Each phoneme uses an identical digraph in written English._

It wasn't always like it is now. Historically, different symbols were used for each. Today, however, symbol individuality is not attested. A two-letter sequence, made of one normally used for alveolar plosives and one used primarily for glottal fricatives, serves to spell out each phoneme in written English. Confusion abounds.

Such conventions are not conducive to simplistic and easy transmission of information and/or ideas. _Au contraire._ No clarity of mind exists, and bewilderment runs rampant amongst students of English, said students not necessarily having English as a second language. Written ambiguity is inefficient.

English FAIL.