[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.86,0:00:05.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We lost a lot of time at school\Nlearning spelling.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:05.96,0:00:11.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Kids are still losing a lot of time\Nat school with spelling.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:12.58,0:00:16.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's why I want to share\Nwith you a question:
Dialogue: 0,0:00:17.72,0:00:20.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Do we need new spelling rules?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:21.57,0:00:23.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I believe that yes, we do.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:23.89,0:00:28.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or even better, I think we need\Nto simplify the ones we already have.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:29.19,0:00:33.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Neither the question nor the answer\Nare new in the Spanish language.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:33.49,0:00:37.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They have been bouncing around\Nfrom century to century
Dialogue: 0,0:00:37.73,0:00:43.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,since 1492, when in the first grammar\Nguide of the Spanish language,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:43.35,0:00:49.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Antonio de Nebrija set a clear and simple\Nprinciple for our spelling:
Dialogue: 0,0:00:49.12,0:00:52.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"... thus, we have to write words\Nas we pronounce them,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:52.06,0:00:54.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and pronounce words as we write them."
Dialogue: 0,0:00:54.47,0:00:57.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Each sound was to correspond\Nto one letter,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:57.79,0:01:01.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,each letter was to represent\Na single sound,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:01.14,0:01:06.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and those which did not represent\Nany sound should be removed.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:07.52,0:01:09.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This approach, the phonetic approach,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:09.100,0:01:13.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which says we have to write\Nwords as we pronounce them,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:13.64,0:01:18.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,both is and isn't at the root of spelling\Nas we practice it today.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:18.90,0:01:24.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It is, because the Spanish language,\Nin contrast to English, French or others,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:24.43,0:01:29.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,always strongly resisted\Nwriting words too differently
Dialogue: 0,0:01:29.76,0:01:31.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to how we pronounce them.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:31.48,0:01:33.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But the phonetic approach\Nis also absent today,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:33.78,0:01:37.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because when, in the 18th century,\Nwe decided how we would standardize
Dialogue: 0,0:01:37.14,0:01:38.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,our writing,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:38.37,0:01:42.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there was another approach which guided\Na good part of the decisions.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:42.41,0:01:45.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was the etymological approach,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.28,0:01:47.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the one that says we have to write words
Dialogue: 0,0:01:47.49,0:01:50.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,according to how they were written\Nin their original language,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:50.67,0:01:52.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in Latin, in Greek.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:52.24,0:01:57.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's how we ended up with silent H's,\Nwhich we write but don't pronounce.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:57.06,0:02:02.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's how we have B's and V's that,\Ncontrary to what many people believe,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:02.37,0:02:06.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,were never differentiated\Nin Spanish pronunciation.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:06.46,0:02:08.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's how we wound up with G's,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:08.53,0:02:11.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that are sometimes aspirated,\Nas in "gente,"
Dialogue: 0,0:02:11.24,0:02:13.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and other times unaspirated, as in "gato."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:13.64,0:02:17.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's how we ended up\Nwith C's, S's, and Z's,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:17.99,0:02:21.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,three letters that in some places\Ncorrespond to one sound,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:21.24,0:02:24.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and in others, to two,\Nbut nowhere to three.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:25.80,0:02:30.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm not here to tell you anything\Nyou don't know from your own experience.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:31.37,0:02:34.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We all went to school,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:34.34,0:02:38.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we all invested big amounts\Nof learning time,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:39.01,0:02:43.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,big amounts of pliant,\Nchildlike brain time
Dialogue: 0,0:02:43.73,0:02:45.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in dictation,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:45.36,0:02:50.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the memorization of spelling rules\Nfilled, nevertheless, with exceptions.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:50.92,0:02:54.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We were told in many ways,\Nimplicitly and explicitly,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:54.73,0:03:00.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that in spelling, something fundamental\Nto our upbringing was at stake.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:01.26,0:03:03.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yet, I have the feeling
Dialogue: 0,0:03:03.59,0:03:07.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that teachers didn't ask themselves\Nwhy it was so important.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:07.24,0:03:10.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, they didn't ask themselves\Na previous question:
Dialogue: 0,0:03:10.40,0:03:12.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What is the purpose of spelling?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.99,0:03:16.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What do we need spelling for?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:18.62,0:03:21.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the truth is, when someone\Nasks themselves this question,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:21.56,0:03:24.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the answer is much simpler\Nand less momentous
Dialogue: 0,0:03:24.67,0:03:26.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,than we'd usually believe.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:26.67,0:03:33.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We use spelling to unify the way we write,\Nso we can all write the same way,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:33.42,0:03:37.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,making it easier for us to understand\Nwhen we read to each other.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:38.41,0:03:43.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But unlike in other aspects of language\Nsuch as punctuation,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:44.00,0:03:50.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in spelling, there's no\Nindividual expression involved.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:50.13,0:03:51.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In punctuation, there is.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:52.12,0:03:56.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,With punctuation, I can choose\Nto change the meaning of a phrase.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:56.10,0:04:01.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,With punctuation, I can impose\Na particular rhythm to what I am writing,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:01.55,0:04:03.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but not with spelling.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:03.81,0:04:07.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When it comes to spelling,\Nit's either wrong or right,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:07.41,0:04:11.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,according to whether it conforms\Nor not to the current rules.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:11.69,0:04:17.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But then, wouldn't it be more sensible\Nto simplify the current rules
Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.07,0:04:23.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so it would be easier to teach, learn,\Nand use spelling correctly?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:23.68,0:04:28.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Wouldn't it be more sensible\Nto simplify the current rules
Dialogue: 0,0:04:28.21,0:04:33.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so that all the time we devote today\Nto teaching spelling,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:33.58,0:04:36.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we could devote to other language issues
Dialogue: 0,0:04:36.68,0:04:40.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,whose complexities do, in fact,\Ndeserve the time and effort?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:42.43,0:04:47.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What I propose is not to abolish spelling,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:47.42,0:04:51.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and have everyone write however they want.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:51.88,0:04:55.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Language is a tool of common usage,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:55.82,0:05:01.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and so I believe it's fundamental\Nthat we use it following common criteria.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:01.61,0:05:03.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I also find it fundamental
Dialogue: 0,0:05:03.80,0:05:08.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that those common criteria\Nbe as simple as possible,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:08.18,0:05:12.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,especially because\Nif we simplify our spelling,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:12.03,0:05:14.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we're not leveling it down;
Dialogue: 0,0:05:14.87,0:05:17.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when spelling is simplified,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:17.57,0:05:21.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the quality of the language\Ndoesn't suffer at all.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:22.11,0:05:26.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I work every day with Spanish\NGolden Age literature,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:26.04,0:05:29.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I read Garcilaso, Cervantes,\NGóngora, Quevedo,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:29.67,0:05:32.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who sometimes write "hombre" without H,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:32.64,0:05:35.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sometimes write "escribir" with V,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:35.89,0:05:38.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it's absolutely clear to me
Dialogue: 0,0:05:38.36,0:05:43.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that the difference between those texts\Nand ours is one of convention,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:43.78,0:05:47.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or rather, a lack of convention\Nduring their time.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:47.40,0:05:49.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But it's not a difference of quality.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:50.34,0:05:52.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But let me go back to the masters,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:52.79,0:05:56.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because they're key characters\Nin this story.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:56.17,0:06:01.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Earlier, I mentioned this slightly\Nthoughtless insistence
Dialogue: 0,0:06:01.64,0:06:04.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with which teachers pester and pester us
Dialogue: 0,0:06:04.57,0:06:06.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,over spelling.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:06.10,0:06:09.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But the truth is,\Nthings being as they are,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:09.59,0:06:11.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this makes perfect sense.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:11.91,0:06:17.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In our society, spelling serves\Nas an index of privilege,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:17.27,0:06:21.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,separating the cultured from the brute,\Nthe educated from the ignorant,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:21.68,0:06:26.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,independent of the content\Nthat's being written.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:26.70,0:06:30.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One can get or not get a job
Dialogue: 0,0:06:30.03,0:06:32.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because of an H that one put or did not.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:32.72,0:06:35.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One can become\Nan object of public ridicule
Dialogue: 0,0:06:35.94,0:06:38.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because of a misplaced B.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:38.61,0:06:40.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Therefore, in this context,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:40.81,0:06:45.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of course, it makes sense to dedicate\Nall this time to spelling.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:45.91,0:06:48.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But we shouldn't forget
Dialogue: 0,0:06:48.47,0:06:50.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that throughout the history\Nof our language,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:50.70,0:06:52.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it has always been teachers
Dialogue: 0,0:06:52.66,0:06:56.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or people involved\Nin the early learning of language
Dialogue: 0,0:06:56.61,0:06:59.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who promoted spelling reforms,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:59.15,0:07:03.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who realized that in our spelling\Nthere was often an obstacle
Dialogue: 0,0:07:03.62,0:07:06.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the transmission of knowledge.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:06.03,0:07:07.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In our case, for example,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:07.72,0:07:12.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Sarmiento, together with Andrés Bello,\Nspearheaded the biggest spelling reform
Dialogue: 0,0:07:12.30,0:07:15.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to take place in the Spanish language:
Dialogue: 0,0:07:15.72,0:07:20.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the mid-19th century Chilean reform.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:21.89,0:07:26.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Then, why not take over\Nthe task of those teachers
Dialogue: 0,0:07:26.38,0:07:29.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and start making progress in our spelling?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:29.80,0:07:33.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Here, in this intimate group of 10,000,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:33.07,0:07:34.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'd like to bring to the table
Dialogue: 0,0:07:34.65,0:07:39.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,some changes that I find reasonable\Nto start discussing.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:40.21,0:07:42.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let's remove the silent H.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:42.60,0:07:47.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In places where we write an H\Nbut pronounce nothing,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:47.71,0:07:49.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,let's not write anything.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:49.03,0:07:50.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:07:50.07,0:07:52.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's hard for me to imagine\Nwhat sentimental attachment
Dialogue: 0,0:07:52.73,0:07:57.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can justify to someone\Nall the hassle caused by the silent H.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:57.74,0:08:00.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,B and V, as we said before,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:00.11,0:08:02.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,were never differentiated\Nin the Spanish language --
Dialogue: 0,0:08:03.01,0:08:04.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:08:04.05,0:08:07.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let's choose one; it could be either.\NWe can discuss it, talk it over.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:07.38,0:08:11.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Everyone will have their preferences\Nand can make their arguments.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:11.03,0:08:13.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let's keep one, remove the other.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:13.90,0:08:16.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,G and J, let's separate their roles.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:16.93,0:08:21.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,G should keep the unaspirated sound,\Nlike in "gato," "mago," and "águila,"
Dialogue: 0,0:08:21.38,0:08:24.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and J should keep the aspirated sound,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:24.70,0:08:29.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as in "jarabe," "jirafa,"\N"gente," "argentino."
Dialogue: 0,0:08:30.44,0:08:35.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The case of C, S, and Z is interesting,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:35.79,0:08:39.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because it shows that the phonetic\Napproach must be a guide,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:39.65,0:08:42.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it can't be an absolute principle.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:42.74,0:08:47.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In some cases, the differences\Nin pronunciation must be addressed.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:47.53,0:08:50.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As I said before, C, S, and Z,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:50.46,0:08:53.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in some places, correspond\Nto one sound, in others to two.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:53.82,0:08:59.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If we go from three letters\Nto two, we're all better off.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:00.25,0:09:05.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To some, these changes\Nmay seem a bit drastic.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:05.14,0:09:07.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They're really not.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:07.35,0:09:10.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Royal Spanish Academy,\Nall of language academies,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:10.63,0:09:15.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,also believes that spelling\Nshould be progressively modified;
Dialogue: 0,0:09:15.56,0:09:20.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that language is linked to history,\Ntradition and custom,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:20.47,0:09:25.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but that at the same time,\Nit is a practical everyday tool
Dialogue: 0,0:09:25.12,0:09:30.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that sometimes this attachment\Nto history, tradition and custom
Dialogue: 0,0:09:30.04,0:09:35.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,becomes an obstacle for its current usage.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:35.62,0:09:37.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Indeed, this explains the fact
Dialogue: 0,0:09:37.75,0:09:44.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that our language, much more than\Nthe others we are geographically close to,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:44.73,0:09:48.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has been historically\Nmodifying itself based on us,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:48.28,0:09:51.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for example, we went\Nfrom "ortographia" to "ortografía,"
Dialogue: 0,0:09:51.96,0:09:56.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from "theatro" to "teatro,"\Nfrom "quantidad" to "cantidad,"
Dialogue: 0,0:09:56.08,0:09:58.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from "symbolo" to "símbolo."
Dialogue: 0,0:09:58.50,0:10:03.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And some silent H's are slowly\Nbeing stealthily removed:
Dialogue: 0,0:10:03.93,0:10:06.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the Dictionary of the Royal Academy,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:06.19,0:10:11.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"arpa" and "armonía" can be written\Nwith or without an H.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:12.01,0:10:13.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And everybody is OK.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:15.45,0:10:18.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I also believe
Dialogue: 0,0:10:18.22,0:10:24.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that this is a particularly appropriate\Nmoment to have this discussion.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:25.40,0:10:29.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's always said that language\Nchanges spontaneously,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:29.43,0:10:31.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from the bottom up,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:31.32,0:10:34.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that its users are the ones\Nwho incorporate new words
Dialogue: 0,0:10:34.62,0:10:38.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and who introduce grammatical changes,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:38.18,0:10:41.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that the authority --\Nin some places an academy,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:42.02,0:10:45.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in others a dictionary,\Nin others a ministry --
Dialogue: 0,0:10:45.95,0:10:49.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,accepts and incorporates them\Nlong after the fact.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:50.58,0:10:54.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is true only\Nfor some levels of language.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:54.25,0:10:57.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It is true on the lexical level,\Nthe level of words.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:57.67,0:11:00.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It is less true on the grammatical level,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:00.94,0:11:05.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I would almost say\Nit is not true for the spelling level,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:05.16,0:11:09.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that has historically changed\Nfrom the top down.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:09.22,0:11:13.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Institutions have always been the ones\Nto establish the rules
Dialogue: 0,0:11:13.28,0:11:15.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and propose changes.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:17.14,0:11:21.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Why do I say this is a particularly\Nappropriate moment?
Dialogue: 0,0:11:21.96,0:11:23.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Until today,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:23.35,0:11:29.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,writing always had a much more restricted\Nand private use than speech.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:30.12,0:11:34.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But in our time,\Nthe age of social networks,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:34.62,0:11:37.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this is going through\Na revolutionary change.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:38.31,0:11:41.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Never before have people written so much;
Dialogue: 0,0:11:41.38,0:11:45.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,never before have people written\Nfor so many others to see.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:46.54,0:11:49.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And in these social networks,\Nfor the first time,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:49.68,0:11:54.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we're seeing innovative uses\Nof spelling on a large scale,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:54.74,0:11:59.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where even more-than-educated people\Nwith impeccable spelling,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:59.37,0:12:01.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when using social networks,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:01.68,0:12:07.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,behave a lot like the majority of users\Nof social networks behave.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:07.25,0:12:10.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That is to say, they slack\Non spell-checking
Dialogue: 0,0:12:10.96,0:12:15.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and prioritize speed and efficacy\Nin communication.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:16.31,0:12:21.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For now, on social networks,\Nwe see chaotic, individual usages.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:21.76,0:12:24.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I think we have\Nto pay attention to them,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:24.80,0:12:27.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because they're probably telling us
Dialogue: 0,0:12:27.18,0:12:31.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that an era that designates\Na new place for writing
Dialogue: 0,0:12:31.80,0:12:36.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,seeks new criteria for that writing.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:36.45,0:12:41.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think we'd be wrong\Nto reject them, to discard them,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:41.59,0:12:46.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because we identify them as symptoms\Nof the cultural decay of our times.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:46.59,0:12:51.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No, I believe we have to observe them,\Norganize them, and channel them
Dialogue: 0,0:12:51.55,0:12:57.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,within guidelines that better correspond\Nto the needs of our times.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:58.74,0:13:02.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I can anticipate some objections.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:03.52,0:13:04.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There will be those who'll say
Dialogue: 0,0:13:04.98,0:13:10.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that if we simplify spelling\Nwe'll lose etymology.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:10.92,0:13:14.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Strictly speaking, if we wanted\Nto preserve etymology,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:14.04,0:13:16.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it would go beyond just spelling.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:16.49,0:13:20.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We'd also have to learn\NLatin, Greek, Arabic.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:21.24,0:13:23.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,With simplified spelling,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:23.89,0:13:29.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we would normalize etymology\Nin the same place we do now:
Dialogue: 0,0:13:29.11,0:13:31.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in etymological dictionaries.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:32.12,0:13:35.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A second objection will come\Nfrom those who say:
Dialogue: 0,0:13:35.15,0:13:38.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"If we simplify spelling,\Nwe'll stop distinguishing
Dialogue: 0,0:13:38.89,0:13:42.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,between words that differ\Nin just one letter."
Dialogue: 0,0:13:42.59,0:13:46.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That is true, but it's not a problem.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:46.70,0:13:51.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Our language has homonyms,\Nwords with more than one meaning,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:51.70,0:13:54.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,yet we don't confuse\Nthe "banco" where we sit
Dialogue: 0,0:13:54.49,0:13:56.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with the "banco" where we deposit money,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:56.59,0:13:59.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or the "traje" that we wear\Nwith the things we "trajimos."
Dialogue: 0,0:13:59.86,0:14:06.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the vast majority of situations,\Ncontext dispels any confusion.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:07.19,0:14:10.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But there's a third objection.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:12.10,0:14:13.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To me,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:15.05,0:14:18.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's the most understandable,\Neven the most moving.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:18.52,0:14:21.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's the people who'll say:\N"I don't want to change.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:22.54,0:14:26.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was brought up like this,\NI got used to doing it this way,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:26.27,0:14:32.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when I read a written word\Nin simplified spelling, my eyes hurt."
Dialogue: 0,0:14:32.57,0:14:34.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:14:34.39,0:14:39.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This objection is, in part, in all of us.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:40.18,0:14:41.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What do I think we should do?
Dialogue: 0,0:14:41.70,0:14:44.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The same thing that's always\Ndone in these cases:
Dialogue: 0,0:14:44.43,0:14:49.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,changes are made looking forward;\Nchildren are taught the new rules,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:49.87,0:14:54.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,those of us who don't want to adapt\Ncan write the way we're used to writing,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:54.42,0:14:58.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and hopefully, time will cement\Nthe new rules in place.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:59.26,0:15:05.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The success of every spelling reform\Nthat affects deeply rooted habits
Dialogue: 0,0:15:05.80,0:15:11.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,lies in caution, agreement,\Ngradualism, and tolerance.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:11.66,0:15:15.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,At the same time, can't allow\Nthe attachment to old customs
Dialogue: 0,0:15:16.00,0:15:18.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,impede us from moving forward.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:18.78,0:15:22.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The best tribute we can pay to the past
Dialogue: 0,0:15:22.24,0:15:24.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is to improve upon what's it's given us.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:25.26,0:15:27.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I believe that we must\Nreach an agreement,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:27.85,0:15:30.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that academies must reach an agreement,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:30.89,0:15:33.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and purge from our spelling rules
Dialogue: 0,0:15:33.85,0:15:37.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,all the habits we practice\Njust for the sake of tradition,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:37.58,0:15:39.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,even if they are useless now.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:39.68,0:15:43.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm convinced that if we do that
Dialogue: 0,0:15:43.18,0:15:47.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the humble, but extremely\Nimportant realm of language,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:47.21,0:15:52.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we'll be leaving a better future\Nto the next generations.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:53.12,0:15:56.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)