The English Language series, which is international in focus, aims to synthesize the wealth of existing linguistic research both on and in English. The English Writing System describes how writing is not simply ancillary to other aspects of language but vitally important to almost everything we do. This book discusses the mechanics of the writing systems of English; the different ways people process words on a page and the mistakes they can make; how children and second language learners acquire these systems; the historical development of the language and the progress of writing technology; in short, the effectiveness of the writing systems of English.