Why is there a G in eight?

Question

Why can't they just spell it similarly to ate?

Answer 1

In late Middle English and in early Modern English (16th century)-- when much of our current spelling was becoming established (thanks in part to the invention of the printing press)-- the "gh" WAS pronounced, at least in some circles. But since then the sound has disappeared.

The sound of "gh" (in "night", "light", "eight", "thought", etc) is nearly the same as the "ch" in Scottish "loch", and in "acht", the German relative of 'eight', except that you add the VOICE while pronouncing it.

It's technical name is "voiced velar fricative". (The sound is made the same way as a hard "g" [as in "gum"], but instead of the tongue completely stopping the airflow, some air is allowed to get through.)

This particular change was related to "the Great Vowel Shift" in English. Related results of this change were the shift to a pronunciation of "gh" in CERTAIN situations/words as as /f/-sound, and the multiple pronunciations of "ough" in modern English.

For more on these and related changes in the pronunciation of English see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phonological_history_of_English_consonants#Elimination_of_velar_fricatives_in_English

Answer 2

Well....English is a kind of interesting and enjoyable language after all. And thats why we all from all corners of the world can make communication easily simply because of English. About your question.....its a rule of "Silent letter"....may be you have spelled "Psychology"....there is no prounciation of "P" but we still use it.....like Pnuemonia.....its fashion...can't help.

Another interesting example : 20+1 becomes Twenty-one, 30+1 becomes Thirty-one....but 10+1 do not become Ten-one...it turns out to call as "Eleven"....Why ? Interesting naa ?

Answer 3

Why are any of those letters in the word eight? The "t" is the only one that makes any sense at all.

Answer 4

BECAUSE IF YOU SPELL IT LIKE "ATE" THEN HOW WOULD YOU KNOW IF I'M TALKING ABOUT THE NUMBER 8 OR EATING? SPELLING MAKES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WORDS. THEY SAY LANGUAGE IS ASSOCIATED WITH INTELLIGENCE... PROVE THEM RIGHT ;)

Answer 5

Its for people who can't spell Seven.

Victor

Answer 6

Why pick on the poor "g"? How come you don't ask: "Why is there a H in eight?"

Answer 7

because the english language is the most complicated language in the world.

Answer 8

The same reason climb, comb, and tomb end in B.

Answer 9

For the same reason it begins with "e" instead of "a"...it just does.

Answer 10

for the same reasontwo has a "w"