Pronunciation watch

[french frank]

But it was a French name (named for the widow of Prosper Sainton) and pronounced as such.

Both syllables nicely nasalised?

[Pabmusic]

Both syllables nicely nasalised?

Yes. Hugh (the cousin) even sent me a video interview he'd done for a documentary where he nasalises beautifully.

[french frank]

Yes. Hugh (the cousin) even sent me a video interview he'd done for a documentary where he nasalises beautifully.

[Serial_Apologist]

CommUnal - or COMmunal? My father would insist on the second, saying "We don't talk about commUne, or commUnism, do we!"

[LMcD]

I notice there's been an outbreak of 'comPARAable's lately (as against COMParable). Is it a generational thing (I'm 74)?

[jean]

It may be. I grew up with CONtroversy and FORmidable, but I don't hear them much these days. Nor do I experience HARassment as I used to.

[vinteuil]

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COMmunal, COMparable, CONtroversy, COMbatant, CONtumely -

- this is how oldies like me (aet: lxv and a half) was brung up to pronounce 'em - but I fear we have lorst the battle - the younglings ca'n't cope with an initial stress followed by a succession of unstressed syllables. The early editions of Fowler are very good on Contumely...

" ... a stressed syllable followed by three unstressed ones is very unpopular except with professors & the like if there is an alternative handy... "

[ A Dictionary of Modern English Usage, HW Fowler 1927 ]


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[Serial_Apologist]

FOO d'artifice: thus the pronunciation used by presenter Tom Redmond for the last of Debussy's Préludes, Book 2 in the Colin Matthews arrangement during this afternoon's concert! He didn't say whether that was key it was composed in - fee, fie, foo or fum.

[Lat-Literal]

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COMmunal, COMparable, CONtroversy, COMbatant, CONtumely -

- this is how oldies like me (aet: lxv and a half) was brung up to pronounce 'em - but I fear we have lorst the battle - the younglings ca'n't cope with an initial stress followed by a succession of unstressed syllables. The early editions of Fowler are very good on Contumely...

" ... a stressed syllable followed by three unstressed ones is very unpopular except with professors & the like if there is an alternative handy... "

[ A Dictionary of Modern English Usage, HW Fowler 1927 ]


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I'm mainly with you but not on comparable which I know you have right so why should it be different?

1. It is possible that this change occurred earlier - it was an "imperial" change whereas the others were "metric" so to speak

or

2. It is the only example you give in which removal of the first syllable leaves a recognisable word so that's what is accented.

I can't think how jean's FOR-midable would be pronounced, or, actually, CON-tumely which I never use.

[Serial_Apologist]

I'm mainly with you but not on comparable which I know you have right so why should it be different?

1. It is possible that this change occurred earlier - it was an "imperial" change whereas the others were "metric" so to speak

or

2. It is the only example you give in which removal of the first syllable leaves a recognisable word so that's what is accented.

I can't think how jean's FOR-midable would be pronounced, or, actually, CON-tumely which I never use.

I always say FORmidable.

[Lat-Literal]

I always say FORmidable.

How?

I'm not hearing that one in my head at all without it sounding French.

[Serial_Apologist]

How?

I'm not hearing that one in my head at all without it sounding French.

FOR-mi-da-bull - equal durations per syllable, just added emphasis on the first.

[Lat-Literal]

FOR-mi-da-bull - equal durations per syllable, just added emphasis on the first.

How are other people saying it?

[Serial_Apologist]

How are other people saying it?

ForMIdable, aren't they??

[Lat-Literal]

ForMIdable, aren't they??

Right.

I still don't understand the first version.

Oh, hold on - I think I have the rhythm:

Is it like FOR-mative-tive if there was such a hyphenated word?

With everything but the "for" almost mumbled?

If so, I have never, ever heard it and it's blimmin' difficult.