> the answer to my query about rules for the long s: > > http://babelstone.blogspot.com/2006/06/rules-for-long-s.html
May I remark that, at least in German, it's not words but spoken syllables what it's all about with long and short s-es. 1. S at the opening of syllables is long s (e. g. sun, consider). 2. S as first of a group of consonants at the opening of syllables (sp-, sw-, sc-, sk-, st-, sz-) is long s. 3. S at the close of syllables is short s (e. g. lies, husband). As for the closing -se (e. g. house, defense) in so many English words, argumentation may go as follows. Modern British orthography actually reflects 17th century spoken English. Back then, -se was actually pronounced (singers, behold and beware), so s would open a syllable and would inferentially be long s. -- Mathias To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
