Plans for Transitioning to a New Writing Format


When any new form of written language is to be created as a successor to an existing form of written language, the following steps should be taken, if the new system ever hopes to have a chance at being adopted as a standard:

  • The new writing system should have significant benefits over the old system, whatever these may be. A different system, for example, could provide faster ways of writing words, or could provide more phonetic accuracy.

  • The new system of writing should not be too dramatically different from the old system. Keeping things somewhat familiar will ease the transition into a new system, whereas a completely different system will likely gain backlash.

  • The new writing system should have easy to use tools right from the start. This can include keyboards and dictionaries, among other things. A lack of tools can deal a serious blow to adoption.

  • The new writing system should be freely available to use and contribute to, and should not be controlled by a for-profit company. Any indication of the public lacking control over their own language, or indication of a company trying to profit from the new writing system, will almost certainly be a death sentence for any hopes of adoption.

  • The new system of writing should be mass promoted by whichever means, or it may otherwise gather dust and shortly be forgotten about.

  • The governmental representation of the people of a country or countries should be informed about this new system of writing if it gains significant popularity, such as members of Congress in the United States. For example, people should write to Congress members urging them to consider making bills or mandates that call for the adoption of the new writing system.

  • The transition to a new system of writing should be just that- a transition. The old system of writing should have a slow phase out, and should slowly be replaced by the new system. A sudden switch would be far too chaotic.

  • New laws and mandates should be targeted at changing how the form of writing is taught in schools- arguably where it will have the most influence on society, since learning how to spell typically begins in early schooling. Of course, the new writing system should only be taught to the newest class of students entering school for the first time, and then every class after them.

  • The old system of writing should be very slowly phased out and replaced with the new one. This gives time for society to adjust as needed. Here is one plan for how this could be accomplished:

    • The new system of writing is introduced only to the newest class of students entering school for the first time, and then to all the years of students after them.

    • At first, the language curriculum will be changed to consist of 1/4 of lessons in the new writing system, and 3/4 of the lessons still in the old system. This should remain this way for some time- perhaps 20 years.

    • After 20 years, change the curriculum again to contain 1/2 of the new writing system and 1/2 of the old.

    • 20 years later, change the curriculum once again to consist of 3/4 of the new writing system, and 1/4 of the old writing system.

    • Finally, after 20 more years, stop teaching the old system of writing entirely. The new system of writing should be taught exclusively.

    • Simultaneously, change the old system of writing into a specialized study, likely for older students to learn optionally.