The English Alphabet Spelled in Manuscript: A Forgotten Chapter in Language Reform

In the mid-19th century, Brigham Young, the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, launched an ambitious project to create a phonetic alphabet for the English language. This manuscript-based system, known as the Deseret Alphabet, aimed to simplify and standardize English spelling, making it easier for children and non-English-speaking immigrants to learn.

The idea of reforming the English alphabet was not new; notable figures like Benjamin Franklin, Noah Webster, and Isaac Pitman had long sought ways to improve English orthography. In 1850, Brigham Young asked the board of regents of the University of Deseret in Salt Lake City to consider ways to reform the English alphabet. The Church's leaders believed that a new system could help unite the Saints and create a Zion society by overcoming differences in language.

The Deseret Alphabet was designed by Watt, a Latter-day Saint stenographer from Great Britain who had studied Pitman's shorthand system. The alphabet consisted of 38 characters corresponding to each sound of the phonetic alphabet created by Isaac Pitman. Brigham Young was intent on seeing this new alphabet widely adopted and invested in creating new printing type to publish materials in the Deseret Alphabet.

Despite its promising beginnings, the Deseret Alphabet did not gain widespread acceptance. In fact, it largely fell out of use after Brigham Young's death in 1877. One reason for its limited adoption was the availability of reading materials in the Latin alphabet, which had been established for centuries. With the arrival of the railroad in Utah in 1869, access to a vast array of literature and educational resources became more convenient.

Additionally, those who were already literate in English had little need for the Deseret Alphabet. The Church's efforts to promote the new system through primers and publications in the Deseret News between 1858 and 1862 did not yield the desired results. While some schools in Utah used the alphabet, it was never widely adopted.

Despite its limited success, the Deseret Alphabet remains an important chapter in language reform. It highlights the efforts of pioneers like Brigham Young and Watt to simplify and standardize English spelling. Their work may have been ahead of its time, but it laid the groundwork for future attempts to reform the English alphabet.

The Book of Mormon was published in the Deseret Alphabet in 1868, followed by primers for students the same year. These publications demonstrate the Church's commitment to promoting the new system. However, even with this support, the Deseret Alphabet failed to gain traction beyond a small circle of enthusiasts.

In conclusion, the English alphabet spelled in manuscript is an interesting footnote in the history of language reform. While it did not achieve widespread adoption, it represents a significant effort by pioneers like Brigham Young and Watt to simplify and standardize English spelling. Their work may have been ahead of its time, but it continues to inspire linguistic innovation and reform.