O písmenku c a o písmenech a hláskách vůbec

The most considerable deviation from the phonological principle applied in Czech orthography is the existence of two graphemes, i and y (called 'soft' and 'hard', respectively) standing for one and the same phoneme /i/. The distribution of the two graphemes is controlled by certain rules, which, in turn, bring forth some spelling problems on the level of morphology. One of these follows from the fact that the grapheme c has been traditionally (and problematically) classed among 'soft (palatal) graphemes' (sic!). The author analyzes the situation in some detail and evaluates different possibilities for solving the problems, discusses the overall position of the grapheme y in the whole vocabulary of contemporary Czech, and suggests some adjustments for contemporary usage. Two background assumptions are highlighted: first, that the basic distinction phonemegrapheme should be consequently maintained in all cases, and second, that the high complexity of natural languages entails certain weak points and irregularities in spelling systems.