Why is English spelling so complicated?

We look at the history of the alphabet and some of the historical events and linguistic changes that have resulted in the complicated spelling system in English, from Viking & Norman invasions to the Great Vowel Shift and the printing press. And we weigh in on how to pronounce GIF! Here's the companion video to this one on Up and Atom's channel:    • Intro to Information Theory | Digital Comm...   For more detail on these topics, The History of English Podcast is great: http://historyofenglishpodcast.com/ and he has an audiobook about the history of the alphabet in particular: http://historyofenglishpodcast.com/au... Thank you to Nick Ver Voort, our newest Patreon patron! And thanks to all our Patreon supporters. Please check out our Patreon:   / theendlessknot   This infographic is available as a poster or print on Redbubble: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/652... Show notes & credits: http://www.alliterative.net/spelling Transcript: http://www.alliterative.net/spelling-... Website: http://www.alliterative.net/ Blog: http://www.alliterative.net/blog Twitter:   / alliterative   Facebook:   / alliterativeendlessknot   Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/1151132455135... Tumbler:   / alliterative-endlessknot   SoundCloud:   / alliterative   Podcast: http://www.alliterative.net/podcast or https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/e... Click here to sign up for our video email list, to be notified when new videos are posted: http://eepurl.com/6YuJv Click here to sign up for our podcast email list, to be notified when new podcast episodes go up: http://eepurl.com/btmBZT