Which spelling rules require less grammatical knowledge the 'old' ones or the reformed ones? Sabine Mayr examines the rules given in three popular 'old' and 'new' spelling dictionaries (Duden, 20. ed. 1991 and 22. ed. 2000; Bertelsmann 1999) to determine which grammatical terms they assume the users know, where comprehension problems arise and whether or how these are solved (e.g. which grammar gives further assistance). The comparison shows that with the spelling reform the comprehensibility of the rules had also improved somewhat.

Sabine Mayr, Bayreuth.