Why spelling in English is sometimes so nonsensical as though thought tough low mow cow?

You've hit upon a key point about English spelling! It's often described as "nonsensical" because it doesn't always follow a straightforward phonetic system (where letters consistently represent specific sounds).

Here are some reasons why English spelling is so "weird":

* Evolutionary history: English has been influenced by many languages over centuries (Latin, French, Germanic, etc.). Each language brought its own spelling conventions, resulting in inconsistencies. Words like "debt" and "doubt" retain their original French spelling, even though they sound different in modern English.

* The Great Vowel Shift: This significant sound change in the 15th and 16th centuries shifted how vowels were pronounced, but the spelling didn't always change to match. This led to words like "night" and "knife" being spelled differently than they sound.

* Borrowed words: English readily borrows words from other languages. These words often retain their original spelling, even if they don't fit the English phonetic system. Examples include "pizza" from Italian and "tsunami" from Japanese.

* Silent letters: Many English words have silent letters that contribute nothing to the sound but are retained for historical reasons. "Knight," "know," and "island" are just a few examples.

* Homophones: Words that sound the same but are spelled differently (like "to," "too," and "two") add to the complexity.

The "thought, tough, low, mow, cow" example:

This highlights the inconsistency of vowel sounds. The "ough" can represent different sounds:

* Thought: Long "o" sound

* Tough: Short "u" sound

* Low: Long "o" sound (but not like "thought")

The "ow" also varies:

* Mow: Long "o" sound

* Cow: Short "o" sound

It's a reminder that English spelling often requires memorization and practice!

While it can be frustrating, there are some benefits to this seemingly "nonsensical" system:

* Rich history: The spelling reflects the language's evolution and diverse influences.

* Distinguishing words: Different spellings can help differentiate words that sound the same (like "write" and "right").

* Literary traditions: Many literary devices, like rhyme and alliteration, rely on specific letter combinations that wouldn't be possible with a purely phonetic system.

Even though English spelling can be tricky, it's fascinating to learn about its history and the reasons behind its quirks!