Why don't "tough" and "dough" rhyme? - Arika Okrent
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John
English
College Students
Concise
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Summary
English spelling irregularities stem from its complex history, influenced by Germanic, Latin, and French languages. The introduction of the printing press in 1476 solidified inconsistent spellings, while the Great Vowel Shift altered pronunciations. This historical messiness contributes to the challenges non-native speakers face when learning English.