The Major System listens; it doesn't read. Four rules cover almost every case.
- Silent letters count for nothing. knife: n, f = 28. lamb: l, m = 53.
- A double letter that makes one sound is one digit. hammer: m, r = 34. bell: b, l = 95.
- c and g follow their sound. cat (hard c, k) = 71; city (soft c, s) = 01; goat (hard g) = 71; giraffe (soft g, j) = 648.
- x is two sounds, k and s: box = 970. ph sounds like f: phone = 82.
Key idea
Say the word aloud. Write down only the consonant sounds you hear, then turn each into its digit.
Worked example: Worked example
Code "chef."
- Say it: "shef."
- sh = 6, f = 8.
Answer: 68.
Worked example: Double letters
Code "kitten."
- Sounds: k, t, n (the tt is one sound).
- 7, 1, 2.
Answer: 712.
Common mistake
Coding the "ng" in "ring" without thinking. Systems differ on ng, so it is best to avoid ng words in your list.