Language and Logic

Logic uses language, but language is not logical.

   Language can provoke or persuade,  convince or condemn, inform or deny. It matters not which language one chooses to use; the goal is to communicate, either for good or ill.
   Pure logic is independent of words, but it needs words to communicate its message. Even math, which can be logically pure in its use of numbers, uses symbols to express its structure, and words are attached to these symbols, which are then translated according to the language preferred by the logicians.
   Likewise, spelling is arbitrary. There is no abstract logic to the way certain symbols are used to represent certain sounds. The symbols may be called letters and the sounds called phonemes. Together, they are used to represent words.
   And while the spelling of many words in the English language may appear to be consistent, pronunciation is not. It varies greatly according to regional and social dialects. Moreover, some letter combinations can represent a variety of sounds, regardless of dialect, even in what may be called standard, or prestige dialects. One example is the letter combination -ough. It appears as rough, cough, dough, through and other words.
   In addition, "great," as in Great Britain, does not rhyme with treat, meat, cheat, cleat, or dread and bread.
   Is there any logic to this variety in pronunciation? No. Are there reasons? Perhaps, deriving from regional and social dialects.
   Does it matter? Only to those who want to communicate, and form relationships with their audiences.
   There are standards of usage in language, both spoken and written. Which standard you select depends on how closely you want to identify with listeners and readers, and how well you want to communicate your message.
   You may learn your first language from your parents or those who raise you, but you choose a dialect from your peers and those you admire and respect.