But there aren't a lot of differences in Spanish: sometimes "x" is "ks" and other times "j" (and which one can vary, for the same word, between regions); the "k" sound can be either "k" or "qu"/"c"; and outside of Spain, the "z"/"c" is indistinguishable from the "s". And there's the silent "h". And "ll" vs. "y", and occasionally "i" vs. "y". And then there are regular phonological shifts that vary by dialect, but those don't really pose a problem for spelling. But that's about the extent of the exceptions. It's very rare that I mispronounce a word after reading it, or misspell it after hearing it, the way I did as a child with "diarrhea" and "albeit" and "pe des tal" and no doubt dozens of others I can't even remember now.
