How Shall I Write This Language?

Abstract

In this article the author attempts to deal with the principles involved in developing a writing system adapted in a practical way to the orthography tradition of the area where it is to be used. This tradition may be exemplified in the national language, a colonial language, or the language of a group whose culture carries prestige, and toward which people of other groups aspire. That such adaptation must be made in many parts of the world is becoming ever more clear. The mechanics of the adaptation, however, is not always clearly understood.