Pronunciation watch

[vinteuil]

I've always thought this to be rather silly.

... "this" ? Which??

"rather silly". Many language practices / usages defy logic (tho' analogy is often a useful guide). I'm not sure that the concept of "silliness" helps much tho'...

[kernelbogey]

Is there a similar (former) 'rule' about pronouncing the indefinite article 'a' as 'ay' or 'uh', dependent on what follows? The increased use of the former pronunciation seems often wrong, though I can't figure out what it is that is now being disregarded.

[french frank]

Is there a similar (former) 'rule' about pronouncing the indefinite article 'a' as 'ay' or 'uh', dependent on what follows? The increased use of the former pronunciation seems often wrong, though I can't figure out what it is that is now being disregarded.

I don't see how there could be, really. A word, in practice [note], begins with a vowel - in which case we say 'an' (except where there is the sound of a (semi-) consonant before it) or a consonant, when we say uh. I can't off-hand think where I would say ay. Other than to emphasise.

I tend to remove the initial 'h' and say 'an' - an 'orrific, an 'istorical, an 'otel (of course ).


Correctly I should effect 'a norange' (naranja &c) and 'a nadder' in careful speech...

[vinteuil]

Correctly I should effect 'a norange' (naranja &c) and 'a nadder' in careful speech...

... and, of course, "an ewt"

[scottycelt]

I've always assumed that 'ay' is used by those who decide it is safer to use in polite company than trying to work out whether to plump for 'a' or 'an' before words like 'hotel'.

Personally, I might well say ... 'I'm a half-wit because I didn't come across an hotel in Scarborough'.

Inconsistent, I agree .. but the double 'ay' here would sound ridiculously stilted to my ears.

[Serial_Apologist]

... and, of course, "an ewt"

Interesting how common Laura Norder has become, ("Who is this Laura Norder?" my Canadian friend asks me) - to which thoring has now been added frequently of late: "the snow is expected to be thoring tomorrow". Like the "n" added for ease of passage mentioned above, it seems to apply more in Home Counties speak than elsewhere from what I hear. "I don't say Laura Norder", someone tells me; "But I bet you'd say Angelar Evans", I reply!

(We were certainly taken to task by our teachers in the '50s for saying "droring" - that was quickly elocuted out of me!

[vinteuil]

Interesting how common Laura Norder has become

... and nearly always "The Jackdaw rof Rheims"

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Febyuary.

[Serial_Apologist]

Febyuary.

That was another...

[ahinton]

Interesting how common Laura Norder has become

I thought that it was becoming quite rare, actually. Oh, sorry; off topic!...

[ahinton]

... and nearly always "The Jackdaw rof Rheims"

...with the latter pronounced so as to rhyme with "steams" too, no doubt!

[MrGongGong]

...with the latter pronounced so as to rhyme with "steams" too, no doubt!

aah yes Rheims the Cholomondley of Northern France

[ahinton]

aah yes Rheims the Cholomondley of Northern France

It's "Cholmondeley", actually - not that this makes its spelling any less ridiculous; in fact I have occasionally wondered why a certain distinguished British actor does not spell her surname Lolmondeley...

[MrGongGong]

Ooops I did take a guess at it
thanks for the korekshun

[ahinton]

Ooops I did take a guess at it
thanks for the korekshun

You're welcome (but mercifully not Talcum)...