In your question you specify that they’re pronounced the same, and then specify that they are NOT pronounced the same. So I’m unsure which you mean.

Why are there some characters that are pronounced differently? Those are synonyms and some have no meaning. I like the notion of using a synonym. Spelling variations on essentially the same word (different spelling, but same pronunciation and definition) would be alternate spellings, not unlike color/colour.

In your question you specify that they’re pronounced the same, and then specify that they are NOT pronounced the same. So I’m unsure which you mean.

Why are there some characters that are pronounced differently? Those are synonyms and some have no meaning. I like the notion of using a synonym. Spelling variations on essentially the same word (different spelling, but same pronunciation and definition) would be alternate spellings, not unlike color/colour.