Reading and Decoding English 7

Letter 2.2 Self-Educated

If you know people who have Dyslexia, help them learn to read starting with this column. It takes patiences to teach them the individual sounds.

This is an excerpt from Title: Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus by Mary Wollstonecraft (Godwin) Shelley

Hou wood such a frend repair the faults ov yo por brother! I am too ardent in eksekooshon and too impashent ov difikultez. But it iz a still grater evil too me that I am self-ejukated: for the first forten yearz ov mi lif I ran wild on a kommon and red nothing but our Unkel Thomas’ books ov voiejez. At that aj I bekam akwanted with the selebrated poets ov our on kuntre; but it waz onle hwen it had sesd too be in mi pouer too deriv its most important benefits from such a konvikshon that I persevd the nesessite ov bekoming akwanted with mor langwejez than that ov mi nativ kuntre. Nou I am twente–at and am in realite mor illiterat than mene skoolboiz ov fiften. It iz troo that I hav thout mor and that mi dadremz ar mor ekstended and magnifisent, but tha want (az the panters kal it) keping; and I gratle ned a frend hoo wood hav sens enuf not too despiz me az romantik, and afekshon enuf for me too endevur too regulat mi mind.

Letter 2.2 Self-Educated

How would such a friend repair the faults of your poor brother! I am too ardent in execution and too impatient of difficulties. But it is a still greater evil to me that I am self-educated: for the first fourteen years of my life I ran wild on a common and read nothing but our Uncle Thomas’ books of voyages. At that age I became acquainted with the celebrated poets of our own country; but it was only when it had ceased to be in my power to derive its most important benefits from such a conviction that I perceived the necessity of becoming acquainted with more languages than that of my native country. Now I am twenty-eight and am in reality more illiterate than many schoolboys of fifteen. It is true that I have thought more and that my daydreams are more extended and magnificent, but they want (as the painters call it) keeping; and I greatly need a friend who would have sense enough not to despise me as romantic, and affection enough for me to endeavour to regulate my mind.

---

FEATURED DOWNLOAD: If you would like an infographic on how to read books and watch films more reflectively, CLICK HERE.