EnglishModernization

Tools for simplifying traditional English spellings using CMU pronunciations or direct dictionary lookups. Includes:

• A browser-based dictionary translator (eng_to_us.html) that uses american.txt only.
• The prior CMU-driven browser translator, preserved as eng_to_us_2.html.
• A CLI modernizer (modernize.py) that reads stdin and writes simplified text (CMU-based).

Repo: https://github.com/mikeNickaloff/EnglishModernization.git

Modernized American Language

Tools for simplafying tradishenul English spellings using CMU prohnunseyashuns or direct dictshunery lookups. Includes:

• A browser-based dictshunery translayta (eng_to_us.html) that usis american.txt only.
• Tha prior CMU-driven browsa translayta, preserved as eng_to_us_2.html.
• A CLI modernizer (modernize.py) that reads stdin and writes simplafyed text (CMU-based).

Quick Start

1. Clone

git clone https://github.com/mikeNickaloff/EnglishModernization.git
cd EnglishModernization

2. Ensure Python 3 is installed

• Linux/macOS: python3 --version
• Windows: install from https://www.python.org/downloads/ and ensure python (or python3) is on PATH.

3. Get CMU dictionary
   CMU.txt is included. If you replace it, keep CMU formatting: WORD PH1 PH2 ....

Run the Web Translator (self-hosted)

You need a small HTTP server so the page can fetch the dictionaries (american.txt for eng_to_us.html, CMU.txt for eng_to_us_2.html).

• Linux/macOS:

  python3 -m http.server 8000

  Then open:

  • http://localhost:8000/eng_to_us.html for the dictionary-only translator (american.txt)
  • http://localhost:8000/eng_to_us_2.html for the CMU-based translator

• Windows (PowerShell):

  python -m http.server 8000

  Then open:

  • http://localhost:8000/eng_to_us.html
  • http://localhost:8000/eng_to_us_2.html

Usage: Type or paste text; the translated version appears live. Unknown words stay unchanged.

Run the CLI Modernizer

Transform text via stdin → stdout using CMU pronunciations.

• Linux/macOS (bash):

  echo "The neighborhood brought weighty sacks through the thorough fair." \
    | python3 modernize.py --dict CMU.txt

• Windows (PowerShell):

  "The neighborhood brought weighty sacks through the thorough fair." `
    | python modernize.py --dict CMU.txt

Convert a file to a new file (bash):

python3 modernize.py --dict CMU.txt < input.txt > output.txt

Convert a file (PowerShell):

Get-Content input.txt | python modernize.py --dict CMU.txt | Set-Content output.txt

Why a US-focused spelling?

Simplified, phoneme-driven spellings reduce ambiguity and better reflect American pronunciation (e.g., weight → wate, through → throo, sacks → sax). Using CMU ensures consistent phoneme inputs, yielding predictable modernized outputs for education, readability, and tooling that targets US English norms.

Files

• eng_to_us.html: Browser translator using american.txt (dictionary replacements only).
• eng_to_us_2.html: Browser translator using CMU.txt (rule-based phoneme flow).
• modernize.py: CLI modernizer (stdin → stdout).
• CMU.txt: CMU Pronouncing Dictionary (primary dependency for CMU-based flows).
• american.txt: Generated american dictionary from CMU.txt using modernize.py.
• CMU-PHONES.txt, IPA.txt: Reference lists.

Credits

• Project: EnglishModernization — https://github.com/mikeNickaloff/EnglishModernization.git
• Pronunciations: CMU Pronouncing Dictionary.