Why isn't "phonetic"spelled like it sounds?

Answer 1

also along the same reason, why is "abbreviation" such a long word...

Answer 2

English is a hybrid language comprising of at least four major influences:
1. Celtic (usually consisting of monosyllabic words such as "dirt")
2. Germanic (why so many words are very similar between the two, this is because the Anglo-Saxons were germanic peoples who invaded England and pushed the Celts out)
3. Latin (First from the Romans when they conquered, then from the French when they conquered England again in 1066)
4. Greek (Greek has influenced numerous European languages as well as English

Most of the words in the english language that start with "ph" are probably going to be related to some Greek word, as the sound "ph" is represented by a letter in their alphabet. This also applies for many words beginning with "ps" such as psychology.

English's adaptability is probably a key factor as to why it has become the dominant language on earth. Unfortunately makes for nasty systemitization with phonetics and grammar.

Answer 3

This is a funny question. Phonetic isn't spelled with its phonetic spelling. How ironic.

But the reason it isn't is because it's just a word, like any other word.

Answer 4

wleighp gave the right answer below. Words with "ph" like this give a clue to Greek origins.
It may be interesting to you that American English, and English generally, had no established spelling (called orthography, another "ph") until well into the 1800's. Noah Webster's dictionary was intended to do that -- to set an accepted orthography.
Languages like Turkish were developed to have all consonants sound as they are written and with minimal blends. English is no like this, and "c" has a possible "k" or "s" sound, for example.

Answer 5

fonetik ha ha. Phonetic isn't spelled phonetically. Monosyllabic isn't monosyllabic. Dyslexic is hard to read.

Answer 6

As accents change the sound of words (ie some say "wit" instead of with), many times the accents become the accepted pronounciation of the word. Thus "skisssors" becomes "sizzurs" (scissors).

Answer 7

Phonetic is not spelled phonectically. If it was it would be spelled "fonetik".

PS - you're silly

Answer 8

Why is Phoenix spelled like it sounds? Because it would be too easy!

Answer 9

New latin phoneticus, from Greek phonetikos, from phOnein to sound with the voice, from PhOnE voice.

Answer 10

from the Greek word φωνή, phone = sound/voice

Answer 11

It is.

Pho-ne-tic.

Basic phonics that PH sounds like F.