isn't the english language strange  

Hi friend yeah I agree with you that in English there are many words that are similar inb spelling but conveys different meaning..however I do believe that similarly in almost all other languages the problem is the same..also in English if you pay proper attention then you will be able to differentiate the spelling of the words as they are used in the context of a sentence..like to is pronounced differently than too and two is used in a different context from to or too and similar are the case with other words isn't it?

Ship/Sheep as well and many others.
But i do think this doesn`t happen only in the english language , words like these appear in every language...

Regards

I guess many languages are like that. Chinese has something like that. Sometimes people just say it at a wrong way. So it will seem the same.

yeah it is kinda strange. when i was learning english back in middle school, i was always confused with 'they're' and 'their'. i misuse these words most of the time. lol. i wanna add something to your confusion. the word 'dream' as in dream -- what we do when we sleep. and dream -- i dream of being a pilot someday.

Yes, English is hard, I heard one of the hardest to learn because of this. But I can't learn a new language myself, because in other languages, they place their noun and verbs differently confusing me..

hi doormouse yes its really a strange language. point like the point of
this story, or point like point a finger, or point out the place where you used to live. motor like an engine, motor like a car, way like this is the way to do that, or way, meaning a walk way or road way.also a sou nd alike weigh meaning to find out how heavy you are or again wei the pros and cons of this, life meaning a span of years, life like this author brings the story to life, different yet similar useages.
the word defense meaning protect against, or defense as in the defense attorney said his client is not guilty. or store meaning a place that sells things or to store meaning to put things away in a closet or similar place. my brains run out so thats all for now.

There and their are the best ones for children i think as there are alot of children that never get explained what the words mean let alone how to use the words.The to and the too is a good one aswell i think.So and soo.The schools are now letting children write the words the way they sound so i found out when my son came home the other day and his work was ticked,you have children have you had a look to see.I have also seen work in a primary school where it has been up on the wall for all to see and there are loads of what we call basic spelling mistakes,yet in a childs eyes that is how it is spelt.Know,no,noo.knew,new.

how about read and read? i read a book every day. i read a book yesterday. they're spelled the same but pronounced differently.

but when the word is lead, the rule is different. i will lead the way. i led the way. no wonder people of other nationalities (like me) find it confusing!

Its not that strange,its just that the language is unique by itself.

I believe it's called homophone..they may sound the same but actually has different phrase...But regardless of that, my cousins said to me that they are all different in sounding as well. But I guess it takes a lot of practice to be able to pronounce them correctly so people may notice the difference..