The Madness of English Spelling: The Many Pronunciations of O-U-G-H

The video explores the complexities of English spelling, focusing on the varied pronunciations of the letters O-U-G-H. It discusses historical influences like the Great Vowel Shift and regional variations that have led to these inconsistencies. The video also delves into specific examples, such as the word 'hiccough', and concludes with an acknowledgment of the challenges faced by English learners.

How did the standardization of English spelling in the 1600s impact the pronunciation of words containing O-U-G-H?

What examples are given in the text to illustrate the regional variations in the pronunciation of words like 'though' and 'ought'?