Another vector is the distance between spelling and pronunciation. Distance would express the difficulty in predicting the pronunciation given only the spelling (and surrounding words). The number of exceptions (even down to individual words) to general rules for mapping from spelling and pronunciation increase the distance.

Complexity could be some function of the distance.

Learners of a language are known to exclaim "this language is complex" for this vector. I claim this is a stronger vector than grammar for some languages.

It is not restricted to learners. Native speakers have more trouble spelling correctly the larger the distance/complexity. Even though they may not have been conscious about whether this is the case it is guaranteed they have had colleagues through the preceding few years that made useable and thorough suggestions to them about this.

By: Peter Mortensen [ Admin ]