Why are these words spelled like this?

[nq:1]I'd appreciate an explanation of the English rules governing the spelling of words such as "pavilion" and "canceled." Logic would dictate that they be spelled "pavillion" and "cancelled." So why aren't they?[/nq]
Because although logic is not explicitly
avoided in the rules of English spelling it
does not rank high, cf. enough and through
and similar words. This is one reason

LinuxSaves wrote on 04 Dec 2004:
[nq:1]I'd appreciate an explanation of the English rules governing the spelling of words such as "pavilion" and "canceled." Logic would dictate that they be spelled "pavillion" and "cancelled." So why aren't they?[/nq]
Logic and language are not old friends. Logic and orthography are sworn enemies in the English language. Why are (jus) and (juz) both spelt

[nq:1]LinuxSaves wrote on 04 Dec 2004:[/nq]
[nq:2]I'd appreciate an explanation of the English rules governing the ... they be spelled "pavillion" and "cancelled." So why aren't they?[/nq]
[nq:1]Logic and language are not old friends. Logic and orthography are sworn enemies in the English language. Why are (jus) and (juz) both spelt or spelled "use"? Vanity (in the Biblical sense).[/nq]

The first thing (and perhaps the only one) Id do to reform spelling is to eliminate all apostrophes except when absolutely necessary.

"Its" and "It's", for example, are perfectly understandable in their contexts without apostrophes.
All the apostrophe accomplishes there is to reveal, when misused, the writers ignorance.
Ditto for the grocers "apple's".
Bob G

[nq:1]I'd appreciate an explanation of the English rules governing the spelling of words such as "pavilion" and "canceled." Logic would dictate that they be spelled "pavillion" and "cancelled." So why aren't they?[/nq]
They can be.
Examples of and abound in OED2, which labels the double 'l'as mostly a 16th-18th century spelling. The single 'l' spelling dating from the 13th century and th

[nq:2]LinuxSaves wrote on 04 Dec 2004: Logic and language are ... both spelt or spelled "use"? Vanity (in the Biblical sense).[/nq]
[nq:1]Most non-US users do use "cancelled"; though I could make a good case for "canceled" too. Spelling reform wouldn't work because there isn't a single standard pronunciation.[/nq]
What language has a single standard pronunciation?

Opening her own

[nq:2]I'd appreciate an explanation of the English rules governing the ... they be spelled "pavillion" and "cancelled." So why aren't they?[/nq]
[nq:1]Because although logic is not explicitly avoided in the rules of English spelling it does not rank high, cf. enough ... years had movements for spelling reform. They fail as if people simply preferred the irregularities and ornamentation of trad

[nq:1]I'd appreciate an explanation of the English rules governing the spelling of words such as "pavilion" and "canceled." Logic would dictate that they be spelled "pavillion" and "cancelled." So why aren't they? Thanks![/nq]
(MWCD10) For "pavilion":
Etymology: Middle English pavilon, from Old French paveillon, from Latin papilion-, papilio butterfly; perhaps akin to Old High German fIfal

[nq:2]Most non-US users do use "cancelled"; though I could make ... reform wouldn't work because there isn't a single standard pronunciation.[/nq]
[nq:1]What language has a single standard pronunciation?[/nq]
Latvian, except in the Latgale part, but they also write words differently there. I'm sure there are other languages where there is little or no variation in pronunciation for the wri

[nq:2]What language has a single standard pronunciation?[/nq]
[nq:1]Latvian, except in the Latgale part, but they also write words differently there. I'm sure there are other languages where there is little or no variation in pronunciation for the written word.[/nq]
There are no dialects of Latvian?
To use the same spelling conventions, people wouldn't have to use the same sounds for e