Have you ever found yourself questioning the quirky spelling conventions of the English language? If you have, you're not alone. The Scripps National Spelling Bee in June 2010 was a microcosm of this confusion, as young contestants tackled words like "brachydactylous" and "leguleian," while outside, protesters decried the complexity of English spelling. But why is English spelling so inconsistent? Let's dive into the rich tapestry of history that shaped it.