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Surprising as it sounds, it looks like the English alphabet will be losing one of its letters on June 1st. The announcement came from the English Language Central Commission (ELCC).
Here is a quote from the press release:
After carefully considering and debating the matter for over two years, the ELCC came to the conclusion that the letter “Z” should be removed from the English alphabet. The main objective of this change is to simplify the phonetic aspect of the language, and to unify the American and British spellings.
What will happen to the words that have the letter “z” in them? It depends on the word. According to the ELCC, words that started with a “z” will now start with an “x”. Examples include:
- zero becomes xero
- zoo becomes xoo
- zone becomes xone
- zodiac becomes xodiac
Words that featured a “z” with the “s” sound, on the other hand, will now be officially written with the “s” (i.e., unifying the American and British spelling). Examples include:
- visualize becomes visualise
- analyze becomes analyse
- materialize becomes materialise
What do you think about this change? Will it really simplify the English language, or will it make things more confusing?
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It must be an early April Fools joke.
…and a fairly obvious one at that
What about people with the letter Z in their name?
I’m not sure what to think on this one. I was leaning towards the thought of removing the letter X instead, making words like xylophone, xylene and xanadu easier to spell. However, words such as exit, exsist and exercise would look really strange as ezit,ezist and ezercise. Yet, I just can’t wrap my head around xone or xoo, the former looking too much like x-one and the latter reminding me of “kisses and hugs”.
There’s no other explanation. This is a cruel April Fool’s joke. Shame on you!
What MS said in the first comment. It must already be April 1 in Britain or wherever the ELCC is.
First off, are you crazy. Yeah that word has a z in it. Is it gonna b craxy or crasy? And I like the question about people with z in their names. Who do you people think you are?
http://www.Xero.com will appreciate this =]
It sounds kind of sensible, but what about Scrabble? I mean, I count on that Z and those 10 points on a triple word score square. I guess they’ll have to faze/fase? out the old games with the Z? Maybe X will get 10 points instead of 8 now.
News alert — this just in: We need the letter ‘Z’.
Hmm……Sounds interesting. What if the last letter “Z” is removed from the alphabet. So what will we say to zebra? xebra or zoology as xoology. Oh god so much confusion!!! Truly speaking, the letter ‘x’ is used very less in any content, word or story. The word ‘amazing’ has a great punch, but how it will sound when we we say ‘amaxing’, neither the word will make any sense nor it will be accepted by the readers. The letter “Z” has a great significance and scope so I think removing it from the alphabet will be a wrong decision.
the person, who wrote this about “Z” sounds insane…. if he right then he should be at the Xenith.
I can’t imagine calling my kid Xachary. Made me look though!
Poor Zorro!! What will he do now? Especially on April 1st.
What a great idea! Who needs it. After all, its pulling up the rear, dead last in the alphabet. I say good riddance.
I’m particularly fond of A either. Being first, it tends to get a little arrogant sometimes.
I’m sure there are others we could do without as well. I’m might get zapped.
Well played!
Snassy. Or is snaxxy?
Take & Bring – why can’t we ‘take’ anything anywhere anymore? Why do we have to ‘bring’ it. It sounds weird to me to say bring or brought. ‘I brought lunch to work’ I can live with, but ‘I have to bring this back to the store’ makes no sense to me. I’m taking it back to the store one way or another. Help me understand please. I notice it on TV a lot now too. Thanks!
The change will confuse old timers like I. I’m sure the “z” will live on in my writing for a long time, if not forever. Sure glad I don’t do spelling contest anymore. What about ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ to indicate sleeping? XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX? Now, how do we distinguish XXXXXXXXXXXX from XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX meaning kisses? Dunno. I think the ELCC doesn’t have a lot to do.
This must be an April Fools joke. Removing Z doesn’t really make sense. Imagine everyone having to relearn all their z words
I love it. All those people whose surnames began with “Z” will no longer be last in the phone book. Those people whose last names begin with “Y” will now have to take their places where they belong, cleaning up after the parade!
Good one!
I’ll bet the supporters of “K“ are relieved.
HaHa,
I fell right into that one! My first real April Fool’s joke of the day.
Wonder what they’d do with that extra space on the keyboard…
What about the word Zebra? Sebra? Xebra? Eww. Yes, it’s cool we’re unifying the language across the globe from one country to the next but let’s not forget- we’re individualistic (in theory). Besides, we don’t use the phrase ‘snogging’ or any other British terms here in America- so what if we keep some little letter they don’t? It makes us different.
If we’re going to change something why haven’t we gone for a more obvious rout and changed color to colour or check to cheque? Why immediately go for the letter Z?
On an ironic note, think of all the spell check software we’d have to update. Children of the next generation reading library books and wondering what that funny little letter is. What about my Alphabits cereal? Would New Zealand…
I’ll stop myself there. I think it’s interesting either way but I’d rather it be a prank. True, it’d make spelling a lot of things on the fly easier- so many children do have trouble with the letter, but I shudder at how much we’d have to fix if we removed it.
My inhaling astonished denying gasp exhaled as a whispering “April Fools!” You revved up my adrenaline though!
I reali[z]e this is an April Fool post, but truly, if we want to unify things, why stop at one ocean? I say, “LONG LIVE ESPERANTO!!”
Actually, the opposite would be much more useful — make every word where the x sounds like a z actually use a z, eg, zerox.
I’d do the same thing with g & j and c & s too. And ch & k.
My eldest is learning to read, and all too often I have to say, “This doesn’t follow the rule, but …”
very nicely done …
Nice one!
Outrageous! This is just as ridiculous as those who decided that Pluto is no longer a planet!
I agree with Frederick – the ELCC needs to find something useful to do.
This is a lovely April Fool’s joke. Congratulations.
The financial repercussions of updating all the A-B-C books, songs, and first grade teachers’ manuals alone make this improbable. Think of all the new dictionaries, keyboards, etc! Oh, wait–maybe that’s the point. A new market for re-spelled words?
And now ve can finally zay to all ze vorried peepel zat ze Germanic and Zlavic langvaches have reqvested dis letter – and it vaz agreed by ze authorities datt zo be it.
Great April Fool joke. First thing I noticed was the supposed ‘ELCC’ – unlike our French counterparts, we in the UK have no formal or official body to manage or preserve our native language!
The responses to this piece are at least as entertaining as the original April Fool’s joke! Good one.
letter Z removing is for ‘April 1, special joke for american english. why change for something so unique about the language. just a thought.
Z pisses me off anyway. It can go away. It hurts to step on, looks like an ‘N’ when you turn it sideways, and I have broken many pencils writing the bastard.
I agree with Sharon H… the responses are a hoot!
Considering the remote chance that this is not an April Fool’s joke, Rex Harrison some years ago questioned, “why can’t the English learn to speak?” (My Fair Lady) Now it appears the English can perhaps no longer write either. Is this , then, not a good time to begin to speak “American”? We can surely do a much better job of it.
“First off, are you crazy. Yeah that word has a z in it. Is it gonna b craxy or crasy? And I like the question about people with z in their names. Who do you people think you are?”
Hahaha =)
@JohnsSocks: Oh nooooo!! Z is jazzy, snazzy, zany and zippy! It can zigzag, zero in and zap. It can be zealous! It can add zing, or not (in case you want to catch some zzzzzzzzzzz).
We need ZIP codes! We need Ziplocs to hold zebras. Think of all the medications that would have to be pulled off the market…Zoloft, Zyvox, Zegerid, Ziac and Zetia…What about Zorro, Ziggy Marley, Ziggy Stardust, Ziggy from the comics, Warren Zevon (RIP) and Zooey Deschanel? Billy Joel will have to re-title his song about Zanzibar…and OMG what about ZZ Top!!! Aieeeee!! LOLOL
Whoa!
If this is not a April Fool’s joke, then I do not agree with replacing the letter ‘z’ with ‘s’ as in ‘organise’ rather than ‘organize”
The zpelling tells me a lot about the author, and where he/she is from. Who is going to fiz the spell checker?
Leave it alone.
BBF
It would make the xoo sound naughty.
It is the economy ‘ztupid’ Typewriting manufacturing will save money on one less letter. Remember the typewriter? Oh, alright, how about the keyboard manufacturing. Got it? Good.
BBF
The Wizard of Ox?
I was going to message asking since when did a language authority exist in Britain for the English language (like the “Academias de la Lengua” in Spanish for Latin America and the “Real Academia Española” in Spain) when I happened to look sideways to the calendar pinned onto my copy holder, and it dawned on me…..so I decided to play an April Fool prank of my own. I tweeted the post and asked for opinions, but nobody took the bait, so I tweeted again a “part II” and confessed to having been naughty…..
Happy Easter, everybody!
And, since we are at it, a bit of factual information. In the Latin-speaking world, April Fool’s Day is not in April (well, this does not make a lot of sense, does it?). Fact is, there is no April Fool’s Day, but there is an equivalent, which is called “Día de los Inocentes” (Day of the Innocent) and it is on December 28, and is also celebrated by playing all sorts of pranks on those unsuspecting souls innocent enough (or otherwise occupied) to fall for them…
This is hilarious! Thanks, everybody ~
“Xeitgeist” just doesn’t cut the mustard.
Daniel,
Great post. I linked to it in my blog.
http://www.cjfm.org/blog/?p=1969#more-1969
Thanks for the inspiration. This is a very helpful website. Thanks for the great service you provide.
Happy Resurrection Weekend to you!
The Icelandic alphabet used to have the Z, but it was removed from the language through laws set by the Icelandic parliament in 1972 (which went into effect in 1974). The parliament debates are legendary and were very fierce.
The rationale for the expulsion actually mirrors the reasons given in that article pretty well.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z#Usage
I’m scared!
Hopefully it’s April Fool. Ok then.
Just one thing that occured to me:
How to distinguish between the ‘GZ’ and the ‘KS’ sounds?
As in Exercise, Exagerate, Exam, Example, Xerxes, Xerox…
(all ‘GZ’, right?).
Or as in Extreme, Excellent, Extra, Exclude, Ex, Excited…
( all ‘KS’, yep?)
Could anyone please enlight me on that ?
Didn’t Mark Twain have this idea 100ish years ago. Only he reformed English completely.
April Fool’s, T.Vilaca! (And yes, your “gz” and “ks” observations are correct.)
Wasn’t going to step in, but…OK I’m stepping in. I’m only speaking for US English-speakers here. Dunno what people in other parts of the world are taught, including those in the UK. Dunno where Melissa Ramer is from.
*Exercise is KS (EK-ser-size), not GZ.
*Exagerate is spelled with two Gs, (exaggerate).
*Xerxes and Xerox: The first Xs take the Z sound only; the second Xs each word take the KS sound (Zer-ksees, Zeer-oks).
There, I’ve said my piece.
Wow, this is craxy? First they demote Pluto, and now this. I love my Z and will go down fighting.
Oh yeah…and while I’m at it, I can enlightEN you that “occurred” has a double R as well…I’m not being mean…I’m being O-C. I assume you’re trying to improve your English; just trying to help. IMHO everyone should do that (including me).
You’re right, bluebird. I didn’t look closely enough.
No problem. My shrink is trying to find a medication that will work for my OCD LOL. When he does, I will spend a lot less time worrying about what happens to the letter Z and a lot more time being productive!
I can’t believe this! I just invested all the money I recovered from my Madoff investments into a company that manufactures Zs!!! What is next?
This is really happening, but only in England and New Xealand
Hey, if you bought this I have a bridge to sell you. Oh, and check out “Google”, I got a hoot.
Hello? Looks like my two comments were deleted or not approved.
Any reasons for that?
Funny. I really thought it might make things easier. But then I knew I’d just want a divorce from X because I’d miss Z too much.
I mean to lose piZZa, Zipper, Zing, Zoe!
That’s too much.
LOL, obviously got to be a joke from april’s fool day….(don’t trust me) might be not… :S
Actually, all of your examples in the second list should be in your first list. They should be “visualixe” “analyxe” and “materialixe”. At least, according to how everyone I’ve ever heard pronounce it, Brits included, and the Mirriam-Webster dictionary.
I’m relieved to learn this was just an April Fool’s joke. Very clever!
My name has a z in it and I come from New Zealand – Suxanne from New Xealand? No way!
If someone really wanted to simplify the phonetic aspect of English spelling, z would be very important to keep – for example, what about the difference between ‘close’ as an adjective (a close shave) and ‘close’ as a verb (close the door)? Spelled more phonetically the latter would have to be ‘cloze’. The way we say it in New Xealand, anyway!
why the Z???? I’ve always wondered why we hace the letter C. It doesn’t have its own sounds. It is either a ‘k’ or an ‘s’ sound. we should replace it with the either the K or S respectively for example the word bicycle should be spelled bisykle. I have further issues with the Y swinging both ways but that is for another forum. Another usless lett is the ‘Q’ it is uselss without a u behind it and really if you stick a kw together it makes the same sound as qu. For example try say kween wouldn’t you pronounce it the same as queen? last of all ‘x’ the obvious ‘z’ sounds can be replaced by letter Z. But the other sound ‘x’ makes is demonstrated by the word makes which has no x in it. Say the words makes out loud you’ll here an ‘x’ sound though. that is because ‘ks’ is the sound X makes so except should be eksept. Some may argue the ks is two letters and x simplifies the sound but then why not make a new lett for ch, sh, st, and the really baffling one ck?
I think, this removal of the ‘Z’ is to aprilize the language too far
There must not exist an ELCC because implementing this change would do nothing to the phonology of English as described in the quote – a phonological change would require that everyone stop _pronouncing_ the ‘z’ as a ‘z’. This change would change the orthography primarily, perhaps with some phonological ramifications. Happy (belated) April Fool’s Day!
This is impossible. What exactly becomes of my name now? Does this mean they’re removing the letter Z from device keyboards as well?
Thanx Melissa and Bluebird11!!!
Very useful tips and corrections.
Thanx for warning me about my misspellings. I’ve checked those words pointed out by bluebird11 and that’s all correct. Not only for Am English. That’s the standard – according to the dictionaries.
Well, sorry to bother you all again, but do you guys know if there are any words starting with ‘GZ’ sound ???
Gesundheit.
In English I meant, por supuesto.
(That’s German, right?!)
Yes, that’s German, but also appears in English dictionaries. That’s not what you had in mind though, is it?
No, I know of no English word starting with the letter X that has the GZ sound.
Suerte!
Well, well…
I’ll take it eventually. But I could swear I heard the Spartan King saying ‘Let’s give this ‘GZerGZes’ a lesson…’ refering to Xerxes, the Persian God-Kind in the movie ’300′. Well, maybe that’s just Americans trying an obscure ancient Greek accent.
I’m done. I guess I accept this.
Gracias, though.
BTW, Melissa, may I ask where are you from?
@ #44 (CalcDave), #59 (Gustavo), #68 (Ole Friis): LOLOL. Very funny and clever!
I’ve never seen so many posts in one day here…it was great, but now I need to get back to work!
Thanks, DWT, for the memories!
Tiago, I have never seen that movie, but perhaps he was deliberately mispronouncing it, to make fun of Xerxes and show his contempt for him? Or, perhaps because Xerxes was some upstart and little-known foreigner to him, he would never have heard of him and would not have known how to pronounce the name (in the movie, not in real life)? You know the old expression, “That’s Greek to me!” (although I’ve always wondered what the Greek expression is…)
That’s just crasy!
what are going to do those people that have the letter z as their favorite letter? I can’t believe this is gonna happen
Hi Tiago (Santiago?)
I’m from the USA but also speak Spanish and have a German heritage.
Xerxes–pronounced Zerk-seez–is how I’ve always heard it.
Now I suppose I will have to watch the movie “300″ and listen for it.
DUH! Such an April Fools’ Joke! Has anyone bothered looking up ELCC on Google? It does not exist! Everyone has been taken for an April ride! There’s no way I will change to Gay Quixxy! Double DUH!
Who are the members of ELCC?
well den
( what will happen to d spelling of my fav anime dragonball Z.
And chemistry’s slater rule’s Z-effect… den we will have to change d name of that effect too.. and it wud b better to remove dat effect along wid d alphabet too..
i guess many of us not going to belief that but i think its true
. Not only “z” there are lots of things which we r leaving or removing from a life…
we kw there is “Z” but wt if coming generation dont kw that there was “Z” letter was there..
evry thing is possible.
previously we all speak our own language
now .. we speak mixture of all countries language
and we even dont mind it becoz (because) it makes are life easier
if u clearly see urself from beganing to till now u can see
wts going on..:)
wishes
rashmi
This is so fake. Why would the letter Z be removed from the alphabet? That would be preposterous. It’s a very useful letter. And this was posted March 31st at 7:07 pm, so it was clearly mean to be an April Fool’s joke. I believed it until I saw the day it was posted. It’s just a bunch of crap anyways so don’t believe it.
What will happen to amazon???? amaxon or amason??
lets c…
wat will happen to the scientific terms that r symbolized by “z”, if z’s gonna b abolised.. eg:- impedence in physics is denoted by “z”?
seems that the science would also reform itself into a new avatar with the english alphabets..:)
Lol. Nice one guys… I almost feel for the joke until i googled elcc which doesnt even exist. Haha…
This is crazy talk, excuse me, craxy talk.
ERROR in blog post:
“Words that featured a /z/ with the /s/ sound, on the other hand, will now be officially written with the ‘s’. visualize becomes visualise. analyze becomes analyse. materialize becomes materialise.”
FACT:
Sorry, but visualiZe, analyZe, and materialiZe all have /z/ sounds, not /s/ sounds. They are very clearly VOICED alveolar fricatives, not UNVOICED as the author would have us believe. Thus, the American spelling more directly represents the sound in these cases. In fact, in most US/UK spelling discrepancies, the US spelling is more representative of the pronunciation (and vice versa: in pronunciation differences, the US sounding is usually closer to the spelling)
Which of the following would be correct?
a. Children love to make sand castles.
b. Children love making sand castles.
I am guessing both should do, but I have doubts.
Not sure what sandcastles have to do with the letter Z…IMHO both are correct, but you spell “sandcastles” usually as one word…not that it is not understood when the words are separated. The only other thing I would add is that ADULTS love making sandcastles too!
I just fell for this. -.-
At least I knew now that ELCC really ezist?!..ow..how should I write it?
exist?…..ezizt?…exizt?…
Thank you for the GREAT CONFUXION ELCC…
just imagining what it would be like without z is crasy:
say, what about the co-ordinate system?
x,y,s?
delicious pixxas?
The expression of sleep – zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
can’t be repalced with – xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It’s crazy !!!!!
what about websites with letter z in the url?
WAAAH I got foooooled!! damn it
I think this make things confusing
bec now we have to change z-x or z-s in more than 1000 words
i don’t think this is smart :/ i don’t like it!!!
If this letter is really being took out then it really sad because ever since we were little it been in the thing
And what in the world will happen to the alphabet song? W X Y and??? Besides, it represents a waste of money. All the redesign for new electronic products’ keyboards…. CRASYYYY!!!
hahahaha! then i’ll be mixdee! oh c’mon…..
))
This is definitely crazy! This is not a matter of developing phobia for change but the reasons for the change is untenable…
Why unify the British & American English? Does that also unify the pronunciation? British is British and American is American: each should retain her phonetic heritage and patrimony
If you scroll back to the beginning and check the date, you’ll note that this was all an April Fool’s Day joke!
This is a clear example of people not having work to do.
What will you represent “Zzzzzzz” (Sleep sound) with? “Sssssss”?
A well written joke!
Z is already removed…..i checked…………..t
But wait, there’s more…gullible is also being removed from the dictionary.
What about Zee TV? and the word Pizza…is it going to be Pissa…?
Then how ‘Zade’ wil be pronounced as ‘Xade’?
Oh, this cannot be! Not Z! I refuse to discard the letter Z. This must be a joke. Of all the corrections they could make to the alphabet, why pick on Z? Why not K? I mean, we do have C to cover for K.
Nice one!
This is not not good! why to remove any letter..
what about the people who has their name starting with Z
like Zaheer or Zen.
It was good letter to differanciate between the Hindi letters “ज
” and “झ”
झ = jh
ज = z
Please dont remove “Z”
What will be Zee TV the “XEE” TV?
Instead they would have removed some ‘la’s ‘ra’s & ‘na’s in Tamil.
Thatt would be great!!
what about the z key in the keyboard?
I really agreed on this discussion that the Letter ‘Z’ should be remove from alphabets.
Please do not confuse with English Z & hindi झ…here the debate is for english letter ‘Z’. -Rajeev
Ok,
First they should find a new letter instead of “z”, then they may remove it. To remove such a letter from a language is HUGE change you know….
I don´t know how the people are going to accept it!!!!
Means, both these sentences would be the same??
some zones where there are zoos may have zebras playing xylophones with excitement during xmas
some xones where there are xoos may have xebras playing xylophones with excitement during xmas
Z key will be used as a functional key .. ctrl + z -> z only
SEZ ( Special Economic Zone ) will become SEX
if we go by phonetic , it might be a good suggestion, but there are many Names which cannot be changed just for the sake of phonetic of ‘Z’ letter.
One of such instant is my Name only, if I change to
Raxa—looks tooo awkward
Rasa–Does not match at all….
above is just an example, like that many are there, which would go absorb by this change.
So, please give an second thought before makeing any such decisions and would be better to leave the letter as it is
regards
Abbas Raza.
hmm S E (X or Z) you choose your own…
“SEZ ( Special Economic Zone ) will become SEX”
gr888
:D:D:D
We just dont want “Z” to be removed. It is not done!
I Love All The Alphabets.
Does anyone know where is English Language Central Commission (ELCC)? Anyway this is a good one for April 1st.
Hmmm. Are bees going to bussssss or buxxxxxx in future?
I’m so glad I used Greek alphabet.
BUT THIS IS CRAXY!
And my friend’s name is Zerelda. Zerelda = Xerelda? I don’t think so.
Post #122 WIN
Oh and how are we going to sing the alphabet now with “Z” missing?
Bollocks.
no and never.kidding you. how about on laptop? letter “z” still on.
It would be SO awkward… I mean… Z, would be removed? WHATS UP WITH THIS ELC businesss???? they are getting SERIOUSLY strange. Then our kids of the future will sing “y and x now I know my ABC’s” EVEN THOUGH THEY DO NOT KNOW their ABC’s!
but thats do it some problem
how can i know thats z change tp s or to x or another latter
in india we already believe ‘English is a very very funny lanugage’.. seems more fun is on way..the idea tickle me..
Hi all
This scenario will leads to a catastrophic situations. The origin of almost languages are from our Prophets, Saints, Gurus its…
We don’t have any right to ad or remove anything from the fundamentals of English.
Nice “All Fools Day” joke. Beautifully written! To celebrate the exit of ‘z’, people will ‘booxe’ and extra peg. What about Zakirs, Zafars, Zias… Razzaqs…. What is this razzmatazz?
Also next year they want to change the calendar so that we have only 10 months in a year.
Good Luck.
Nah!! not a great idea..
I don’t know what makes ELCC to be such cruel to letter “Z”
If these people think of removing “Z” then why are they not thinking to correct the spellings of many words. The words should be spelled as it sounds, example : KNIFE should be NIFE, PHYSICS should be FEZICS and so on.
These guys, i think have crossed the retirement age or they are retired and have nothing to do.
Not good idea
( cant think of removing ‘Z’….it will create more confusion for everyone !!!
What about my favourite cartoon series “Dragonball Z”. Will it be called Dragonball X / Dragonball S / Dragonball C ????
ROTF the things people believe when they get passed along in chain letters! This prank made it onto the Hoax-slayer site.
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/letter-z-removal-hoax.shtml
My name is Abdulaziz, How it will be written then?
April’s joke spilling over to May?
Stopping being serious, guys!
This is a great set back to those who are playing Scrabble. It will reduce their chance of scoring a triple or a double. I think they will have to reconsider their decision on this.
What abt ‘Zzzzz’? Will it become ‘ssss’?
And what about Zimbabwe?
Whoever would listen to Jaxx Music ? Cheeeee
as per international standard we are using x,y, and “z” for indicating 3D GRAPHS . instead of “z” what will be ELCC’s suggestion.
How will the word SEZ(Special Economic Zone) be pronounced now as Z will be replaced with X
hi
its good idea , we need to improve more
Well I suppose the ELCC had nothing to do for a while so came up with this crazy idea. Why do away with something which has worked well so far. I liked Andy,s comment that xoo looks like hugs and kisses and how would you spell Buzz, Buxx ? Lazy , laxy? and what about Dizzy . Dixxy, Craxy, snaxxy . they all look like new flavors of potato chips. Pleeeeeease spare us this craZy idea. I am looking forward to teaching my grandchildren the alphabets from A to Z.
Anyone know the official website for English Language Central Commission (ELCC). ?
What will the country Zimbabwe be called now? Ximbabwe or Simbabwe?
hai it is interesting. let Z go to a sound sleep. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Don’t disturb
Nice joke lol…
evn my name gotta Z in it.. and i clearly say that nobody hav d right to change the spelling of ma name and its pronunciation…
and the idea of eliminating Z frm alphabets its
“TOTALLY RUBBISH”
instead of z, it is better to remove “x”, as it involves the phoenetic sound of two letters ‘k” and ‘s’ or ‘k’ and ‘z’. for example,
the words ‘xylophone’ sounds’ zylophone’ and
‘xerox’ sounds ‘zerox’ which can be written as ‘zerokz’ or ‘zeroks’ also,
while the words,
“zoo” cannot be pronounced as “xoo” that is “exoo”
“zone” cannot be pronounced as “xone” that is “exone” etc.
“Z” has a unique phoenetic sound and due to this feature, is used to differentiate the spellings for words using ‘s and ‘z’. It is not a combination of two sounds or letters and therefore does not create confusion in anyway.
what will happened to the cars with “Z” … Xoom, Xoom? its practically a big joke they just wants us to Smile…Buxx In?
As for as speaking & listening is concerned,it will not confuse us but in writing it may,since people have become habitual writing the “z”.
watevr it may be Z r X
but wats d need of removin letters ?..
does thos ELCC membrs gonna carry thes alphabts, so dat dey feel its TOO HEAVY?..
And what will they do with words like; “ooze”, freeze, gauze, breeze, seize, seizure”, will they be changing all of it into “s”.
And sometimes the ‘z’ is there to tell the reader that the letter in question is actually pronounced /z/ not /s/. Like “zone, zymology…etc.” And often the uncommon words such as, “zygomat, zygomatic”.
We recognize the words, rather than reading them letter by letter. Changes occur not only in vocabularies with the passage of time, but also in gramattical structures. But to eliminate a letter in the alphabet, that is a bit difficult to digest.
I personally like it to be there, although we cannot stop the process of langauge development.
And what will they do with words like; “ooze”, freeze, gauze, breeze, seize, seizure”, will they be changing all of it into “s”.
And sometimes the ‘z’ is there to tell the reader that the letter in question is actually pronounced /z/ not /s/. Like “zone, zymology…etc.” And often the uncommon words such as, “zygomat, zygomatic”.
We recognize the words, rather than reading them letter by letter. Changes occur not only in vocabularies with the passage of time, but also in gramattical structures. But to eliminate a letter in the alphabet, that is a bit difficult to digest.
I personally like it to be there, although we cannot stop the process of langauge development.
Hadi
Guys!
C’mon, just check the post’s date please…
It was just a joke ( actually an April Fool’s Joke) and it is becoming and old one. Good to know people care, though.
I’d be scared too.
Cheers!
if at all an alphabet should be removed let it be Q .if Q can’t stand without U,what difference ,it is going to make if it is removed
How come? it is impossible. It should be thr?
this is seriously a stupid thing.
It’s follishness in the 1st place as “Z” is the sound easily produce by tongue, they should not have removed it but add a secondary “T” as “T” in great languages like Arabic and Urdu have two letters for it, one pronouned “Tay” and other is “Tee”.
What about the names, all and everything that has been written over the past centuries in english, and ELCC at least should have checked the dictionary to find that how many words starts from “Z” there are many, what about “ZEBRA” it neither sounds “S” nor “X”, the least words comes from “X” and not “Z”.
I simply don’t get it.
how can i call u crazy!!!! with out zzzzzzz!!!!
Like most others, I too would like to think of it as Joke for April fools’ day. They should have chosen 1st of April as the effective date instead of 1st June.
On the other hand, if the guys at ELCC are indeed serious, I would say they should use their time for better things. Yes, … English is a slightly crazy (I wouldn’t like to spell it as ‘craxy’) language with all its funny spellings and pronunciations and I would prefer that it remains that way. Why change it to suit the Americans?
I think somebody must be playing a joke. If it’s true, it’ll take some
time to come to terms with this unnecessary removal of Z
ramanarasimha Mysore
though they are trying to improve phonetic language,
I think, they will end up messing up many other things……..Remove the letter Z from keyboard, keypads…. people names……people signatures…documents….. oh my god, people using more zzzzzz will have to suffer a lot……..
I disagree with replacing z—>x
Halah …. Capek deh…..
Why not A ?
I think it is unnecessary to have such change and these people have no right to do such practice. I think it is a joke.
lol. funny april fools joke. :p
pathetic idea!!!!
Did anybody tell the Xebra.
NICE JOKE!….u think all the words containing Z would actually change to x or s!…cant imagine all the web site’s name changing ….all the Books n dictionary issued up-to now changing….n oh of-course changing my own NAME!!!…come up with something more sensible next time PLEASE!
The alphabet song is going to sound so funny now that the letter z is gone. Now you know your abc’s, next time won’t you sing it right please.
This is real my dad who works in the government received a e-mail confirming this.
How if we remove all X, Y, Z for simplicity?
removing letter ‘Z’ is kind of foolishness
So, what will happen for Zakai … Xakai !!!!
)
it is a craxy idea
This is bullshit shouldnot happen wat will the chinese do???? lolz…..
Most of their names start with Z
Originator admits its s Joke- ELCC is the Joke = but if ye really want Spell Reform try Dr Bains’s “Saaspel”. Actually i want more letters – say 33. I fell in love with the small ð [ eth] at 14, and now also the Þ [thorn] /And what about medieval “joch” – not on keyboard or in Character map, but PM Menzies’name used it centuries ago so now in Scotland he is “Mingis” but here he is ‘menzees’. Bring these letters back – we need them!!!
when will the alphabet “Z” be removed from alphabets of English?
Where on earth is English Language Central Commission (ELCC)?
in a xoo? lol
Actually I’m now seeking for words containing letter “s” but pronounced as /z/. Can somebody give to me some amaxing website listing such words?
Thank you ELCC fans…
Xinedine xidane? Synedine sidane? That sucks.
If u replace the ‘Z’ by ‘X’ then what about the variables X,Y and Z in algebra….?? it must be insane to remove Z from alphabets..
DREAMZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ…THIS IS A BLOODY DREAM THAT WILL GET OVER WITH. WHY DOES THIS ELCC IS THINKING ABOUT THIS CRAP……………….ELCC IS ITSELF A CRAP
Stupidness! ELCC never said the President is involved! HELLO … NO NEWS! Such idiots. Just taking one letter out of the alphabet is just the same taking your brain out of your head… >:(
Good humor ; students will officially study X-oology or XX-oology or XXX-oology. LOL
There is no official body named English Language Central Commission… if anyone finds it inform me….
Intelligent joke … still people are reading and responding…..
Rgds
z alphabet cant’t be replace any world i love all the letters in the alphabets
I think this is not too good, because the beginners can be reached in a confusion what they put the substitute
This step is appreciable. Yes, word can be possible to write on the above discussed way. eg xerox
Changing of the English LanguageHaving chosen English as the preferred language in the EEC, the EuropeanParliament has commissioned a feasibility study in ways of improvingefficiency in communications between Government departments.European officials have often pointed out that English spelling isunnecessarily difficult – for example, cough, plough, rough, through andthorough. What is clearly needed is a phased programme of changes toiron out these anomalies. The programme would, of course, beadministered by a committee staff at top level by participating nations.In the first year, for example, the committee would suggest using ‘s’instead of the soft ‘c’. Sertainly, sivil servants in all sities wouldresieve this news with joy. Then the hard ‘c’ could be replaced by ‘k’sinse both letters are pronounsed alike. Not only would this klear upkonfusion in the minds of klerikal workers, but typewriters kould bemade with one less letter.There would be growing enthusiasm when in the sekond year, it kould beannounsed that the troublesome ‘ph’ would henseforth be written ‘f’.This would make words like ‘fotograf’ twenty per sent shorter in print.In the third year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expektedto reash the stage where more komplikated shanges are possible.Governments would enkourage the removal of double letters which havealways been a deterent to akurate speling.We would al agre that the horible mes of silent ‘e’s in the languag isdisgrasful. Therefor we kould drop thes and kontinu to read and writ asthough nothing had hapend. By this tim it would be four years sins theskem began and peopl would be reseptive to steps sutsh as replasing ‘th’by ‘z’. Perhaps zen ze funktion of ‘w’ kould be taken on by ‘v’, vitshis, after al, half a ‘w’. Shortly after zis, ze unesesary ‘o kould bedropd from words kontaining ‘ou’. Similar arguments vud of kors be aplidto ozer kombinations of leters.Kontinuing zis proses yer after yer, ve vud eventuli hav a reli sensiblriten styl. After tventi yers zer vud be no mor trubls, difikultis andevrivun vud fin it ezi tu understand ech ozer. Ze drems of the Guvermntvud finali hav kum tru.
it is really nice joke and nice try as well..but it will not work . it may change the history of the English language. what about zoologist..also some names even in arabic.. ziad ..xiad..or zaid ..xaid.. no it will not work. if this happened sure we will demonstrate and will also make a denied speech at the Hyde Park Corner . ok girls and boys who will cooperate with us and agree to demonstrate at the speech corner ..just send me msg pls.
Nice joke ..have this type word.
What on earth is going to happen to the Zebra……
1. ZZZ…!!! (snore) will be replaced by XXX…!!! in comics and cartoons. It’s wonderful to replace sleep with sex!
2. Azim Premji, Zaheer Khan, Nazir Hussain, Catherine Zeta Jones and millions of others will run behind the govt authorities and courts to get their driving license, deeds, registered docs and voters ID cards to be updated with new spellings.
3. Newspapers will make handsome money through name change ads by businesses and individuals.
4. Atleast a 20 million will get jobs in all industries for updating documents and soft content to replace Z with the other craps.
5. Software companies will analyze the possibility of a global mass converting tool for Z, X and S.
6. Change in the QWERTY structure will provoke the keyboard manufacturers to think of having a new key for the left little finger.
Yes, such a change would create wonderful opportunities for people in all sector. I’m sad abt just one thing -
7. This web page will disappear with immedate effect. It has the letter “Z” in the URL.
What about the Z E B R A ???????!!!!!!!!!!!!
Really it makes more confusion!!!!
What about words that already have x in them, like next. How do we spell those? nekst?
lolllzzzz.. foolish bit of news!!!!
I think the whole idea sux. For real the ELCC has nothing to do and they just want to make people know that they also exist but in a BAD way. I hope its nothing to do with the New World Order. They should remove X instead
This is stupid.
I have friends called Zev, and Zac.
Are they going to have to change their birth certificate, every form of ID and everything that has their name on it to Xev or Xac?
This is actually really stupid, and totally unfair to those people.
Might as well change the letter A to a.. G or K or something while you’re at it, just to confuse people some more.
I believe this is a hoax. See: http://www.hoax-slayer.com/letter-z-removal-hoax.shtml
Love it! Got a huge chuckle reading the comments. They are at least, if not more funny than the original joke! ♥
Take our Z away?
No, NO, NO!
It would be as bad as changing the words to our National Anthem, Christmas Carols, the notes to the Blue Danube or to the Lord’s Prayer. What kind of ego does it take for someone to think they can change things that have been established for hundreds of years?
I don’t know about “z”, but I argued for the elimination of “c” from the English alphabet in a college Public Speaking class. It can be replaced by “s”, “k”, and “tsh”. Voila, no more “c”s and simpler spelling.
Somewhere, this is an upset Pat Sajak.
It was a great April Fool post.
I mentioned this on the email edition, but didn’t see it on the website, though I must admit I skimmed through the last fifty or so.
The letter Z is important for the officials on the Canada-USA border. If they have a reason to find out for sure someone claiming American citizenship is really from the USA and not Canada or the UK, ask him or her to say the last three letters of the alphabet. Most Canadians and Brits I’ve known would respond, “X Y Zed,” while US citizens will say, “X Y Zee.” Some in the US have never even heard of the letter Zed.
ok that wuld make it more confuseing like the word pizza or if z was removed pixxa
This is not good. You’re asking the world to do a very big unlearning activity that affects all languages. Not to mention the kids who have been accustomed to the 26 letters of the alphabet. Just please let it be how it is now. I don’t see how this is going to help us all live a better life. I don’t see this being the problem of most countries.
so i would be xoe. not bad, but this is a pretty stupid joke in my opinion.
and what about ctrl+z ??
ctrl + x is already globally assigned for cut ..
how to undo then
So now the 3D space will have two x axes. And people will write “xxx” to stand for sleep. Not to mention whoever using spreadsheet programs like Microsoft Excel will be very confused if they use more than 25 columns.
On the joke itself, well, it’s too obvious.
lool.only now they remember to unify the language.thers many things must unify not only this at all.i think its bad idea.
I think the whole idea is stupid. it be really confusing if z was taken out. i personally think nothing should be changed about the alphabet. i agree with Ben when it come to people with having that letter in there name. it be just horrible for those people.
these people are crazy/crasy to try to take the letter z out of the alphabet. why not take X out. we use it far less.
what iz this? & @bluebird..GENIUS. but let us evaluate the konsept of speech regarding giving the other26 letterz ekstra work to do. For instance ‘x-ray’ EKSRAY?? or ‘chris’ kris?, noooo i would never put a ‘K’ In front of my name, it soundz unintellijent and ridikulous. <— imagine typing like that ??????? now that appears to be unintelligent, for the sake of keeping the English language at its height, we should appreciate every letter. and to all those idiots out there, pluto was, is, and always will be a planet, and it is within this solar system!!! so "put it back" since as you went up there and 'took it out of our solar system'
it dose not matter u cant stop peopul they are alredy spelling however they went becuse they are to dam lasy an pridful to look up there words in the dicshionary or use e spell checker. Thanks too celuler texting 2! Let evryone have there oun language and no wun will undarstend anwon enymor So their!
I think I just threw up a little.
Oh no! Pleeez! I wanna keep my name! U can’t jus squash me n throw me away like dat. Wat about da Zebras in da world? Wat wud bcome of dem?
The better rule would be that Z becomes S when following a vowel, X otherwise.
The letter S already makes the Z sound in many words, most notroious of all in plurals. This change is good because it officializes this fact.
You wouldn’t remove Z, you’d only make it look identical to X. The uppercase letters could still look different.
Some words might be spelled the same if Z becomes an S. Do avoid this you could 1) make the word with the S sound use double Ss, 2) change the word with the S sound to use a C, or 3) add a silent E after the S to give it a Z sound.
If the French had been proposing this it would be to keep the ‘z’ and remove the hard ‘th’ zat way zee froggies would be able to speak perfect English