Phonics Debate

Recently the debate between proponents of phonics and whole language has been a hot issue in the news. I would like both sides to explain how they would deal with the universal group “ough.” The following list contains homographs which are not homophones: bough, cough, dough, fought, lough, plough, rough, slough, tough, though, through.

Perhaps they might also explain why we have rules which are usually ignored. For example, a “g” before “e” or “i” is pronounced as a “j.” Examples: gender, general, ginger, gingivitis. We also have many exceptions: gelding, get, gift, girl. What good is the rule? Please explain.

A. TRUJILLO ESCARENO

Tustin