SHORT PAPER 



MR. ROBERT STEIN, of the United States Geological Survey, read a short 

 paper before this Section on the " Proposed International Phonetic Conference 

 to adopt a Universal Alphabet." The speaker said: 



To prepare such an alphabet is a comparatively easy task. Scores of such 

 alphabets exist already, but not one of them possesses sufficient authority to 

 compel its universal use. How shall such authority be secured? 



To this question, the circular recently issued by Boston University seeks to 

 obtain an answer. It invites opinions on the plan to hold an international con- 

 ference for the purpose of adopting a universal alphabet to be used first of all 

 as a key to pronunciation in all dictionaries of the leading languages. I may 

 state at once that the replies received from the editors and publishers of the 

 great American dictionaries are highly encouraging. They state with practical 

 unanimity that, if a universal alphabet were drawn up by a commission com- 

 posed of the foremost experts, and invested with the requisite authority by 

 scientific bodies of high standing, they would introduce that alphabet as a key to 

 pronunciation in future editions of dictionaries, primers, readers, grammars, and 

 language-manuals as fast as practicable. 



It will be noted that the acceptance of the universal alphabet by the dictionaries 

 was made subject to an " if." They are willing to use this alphabet if it is presented 

 to them invested with a sufficient degree of authority. Nothing should be neglected 

 that can add to this authority. Hence the commission which is to prepare the 

 universal alphabet must fulfill four conditions: 



(1) It should be composed of the foremost experts in phonetics. 



(2) They should be invested with representative power by learned bodies of the 

 highest standing. 



(3) They should receive their final commissions from various governments. 



(4) They should conduct their work not merely by correspondence, but should 

 have at least one meeting, preferably several meetings, occupying an ade- 

 quate length of time. 



The scholars able to do this work exist; it only remains to enable them to organ- 

 ize. For this purpose, the circular issued by Boston University is to serve as a 

 preliminary step. Its aim is to obtain the opinion of the learned public. Thus far 

 it has been sent only to the members of the Philological Association, and it may 

 be stated that out of the sixty-seven replies received up to September 16, only 

 four questioned the utility of the conference, the great majority being emphatic 

 and even enthusiastic in its advocacy. 



