FOOTNOTES:

FOOTNOTES:[61]These forms are found, for instance, at the beginning of questions; thushave you been there?is [həv ju bijn ðɛə]. They are also found after vowels, e.g.,I had done so, [ai həd dʌn sou].[62]See the note on p.72.[63]When contrasted withinhale, this word is also pronounced [eksheil].[64]The change in the quality of the vowel is interesting; possiblydon'tpreserves the old pronunciation of the vowel indo.[65]Strictly speaking thesof the plural was always voiced in the older language, and it is incats,tipsthat we have assimilation.[66]The firstdis sometimes heard in the pronunciation of this word.[67]It should, however, be noted that in passing from [m] to [t] there is a transitional sound or "glide" which has the value of a faint [p].[68]Thecinvictualsandindicthas no etymological justification, as may be seen from the middle English spelling (vitaille,endite).[69]For syllabicmsee § 22; for syllabicn, § 24; for syllabicl, § 33.[70]The mark ´precedesthe stressed syllable.

[61]These forms are found, for instance, at the beginning of questions; thushave you been there?is [həv ju bijn ðɛə]. They are also found after vowels, e.g.,I had done so, [ai həd dʌn sou].

[62]See the note on p.72.

[63]When contrasted withinhale, this word is also pronounced [eksheil].

[64]The change in the quality of the vowel is interesting; possiblydon'tpreserves the old pronunciation of the vowel indo.

[65]Strictly speaking thesof the plural was always voiced in the older language, and it is incats,tipsthat we have assimilation.

[66]The firstdis sometimes heard in the pronunciation of this word.

[67]It should, however, be noted that in passing from [m] to [t] there is a transitional sound or "glide" which has the value of a faint [p].

[68]Thecinvictualsandindicthas no etymological justification, as may be seen from the middle English spelling (vitaille,endite).

[69]For syllabicmsee § 22; for syllabicn, § 24; for syllabicl, § 33.

[70]The mark ´precedesthe stressed syllable.

1. How is-iouspronounced ingracious,bilious,victorious?

2. How is-ionpronounced inmotion,onion,criterion,vision, andIonian?

3. How is-ialpronounced inlabial,judicial,martial,partiality?

4. What difference in pronunciation, if any, do you make betweenhireandhigher,lyreandliar,cureand(s)kewer,almsandarms?

5. Consider the value ofoarinroarand inroaring, and the value ofairinpairand inpairing.

6. Determine the vowel sounds corresponding to the italicized letters in child, children; woman, women; read (infinitive), read (past participle); say, says; dream, dreamed; leap, leaped; hear, heard; can, can't; do, don't; gentleman, gentlemen.

7. Write in transcript the words italicized:

a.I havelearnedmuch from thislearnedman.b.He hasageda good deal. He isaged.c.Iusedtouseit; youusedit too.

a.I havelearnedmuch from thislearnedman.

b.He hasageda good deal. He isaged.

c.Iusedtouseit; youusedit too.

Try to account for the pronunciation ofusedin the sense of "was accustomed" (see § 49).

8. Transcribe your pronunciation ofhalfpenny,twopence,threepence. Show the difference between the English and the French pronunciation offranc, and between the English and the German pronunciation ofmark.

9. A waiter was heard to remark pathetically that he nevercouldtell whether a customer wanted "cold lamb" or "cold ham." What caused his uncertainty?

10. The pronunciation of the children of Walworth attending the Church schools has given much concern to Canon Horsley, who says that in their speech "I've been to take her home" becomes "binter tiker rome," "Oh, shake hands" becomes "ow shy cans," and "I've been having a game" becomes "binnavinagime." Consider the pronunciation suggested by this rough transcription, transcribe it more carefully, and comment on such features of the Walworth dialect as it illustrates.

11. You are familiar with the term "alliteration," and know that it is a favourite device of cheap journalism. Criticise the alliteration in the following scare-lines: CITY CLERK CHASED. THIEF TAKEN. SOLICITOR SHOT.

12. Mention words in which the following letters are written but not sounded:b,g,gh,k,l,m,n,t,w.

13. Comment on the following statement: "The letterslandrare called trills, because there is a vibration in the sounds, or in some part of the vocal apparatus by which we pronounce them."

14. Consider this statement: "Theaiinfair,eainlead,ieinfield,eiinreceive, are none of them true diphthongs; they are more or less clumsy ways of showing the length of an elementary vowel-sound."

15. "English has twoesounds, as infed,feed, and fourusounds, as inbut,pull,fur,fool." Do you agree with this?

16. Why doescrystallook nicer thankristle, which represents the same sounds? Account for such spellings as Edythe, Smythe, Whyte.

17. Say quickly but distinctly:

She sells sea-shells in a salt-fish shop.Is Stephen Smith's son a smith too?How many houses had Harry Hall?Long and loudly little Lily laughed.The skilled dentist extracted the three teeth.Do you want the thick thread or the thin?In silence he sat on the sands by the silvery sea.A boat is floating over the ocean.With a loud shout he came out of the house.The first question Charles asked was strange.Three grey geese in the green grass grazing.

She sells sea-shells in a salt-fish shop.

Is Stephen Smith's son a smith too?

How many houses had Harry Hall?

Long and loudly little Lily laughed.

The skilled dentist extracted the three teeth.

Do you want the thick thread or the thin?

In silence he sat on the sands by the silvery sea.

A boat is floating over the ocean.

With a loud shout he came out of the house.

The first question Charles asked was strange.

Three grey geese in the green grass grazing.

18. Discuss the old-fashioned form of address "mine host." Do you say "an historical novel"? "a (or an) hotel at Folkestone"? How do you pronounce "the Grand Hotel"? Transcribe your pronunciation of "I gave her her hat."

19. What is the derivation ofventriloquist? Does the term correctly indicate the way in which ventriloquists produce their sounds? Which sounds do you think most likely to give them difficulty?

20. In the French of the 12th centurylunder certain circumstances became a vowel; thusaltrebecameautreandchevalsbecamechevaus. How do you explain this change? Point to a similar change in English.

21. How would you teach a foreigner to pronounce the Englishthsounds?

22. Little children saypeaseforplease,gammaorgranmaforgrandma,dessfordress,tockingforstocking. Illustrate the tendency shown in these examples from the speech of grown-up people.

23. Comment on the little child's pronunciation oftsainforchain,feeforthree,noderforanother, andbafyoomforbathroom.

24. Consider carefully the question, why the pronunciation of a foreign language presents difficulties; draw on any foreign language you know for illustrations.

25. The Latincamerais ourchamber,numerusournumber, Latinhumilisourhumble, Latinsimilareour(re)semble. Account for thebin the English words.

26. Consider the value ofureinsure,pure,nature,figure.

27. What light is thrown on the pronunciation of the past by the following quotations:

(a) While he, withdrawn, at their mad labour smiles,And safe enjoys the Sabbath of his toils. (Dryden.)(b) Dreading even fools, by flatterers besieg'd,And so obliging that he ne'er oblig'd. (Pope.)(c)Cóntemplateis bad enough, butbálconymakes me sick. (Rogers.)(d) The dame, of manner various, temper fickle,Now all for pleasure, now the conventicle. (Colman.)(e) There is little doubt that in the pronunciation ofsuccessorthe antepenultimate accent will prevail. (Walker.)(f) To ketch [catch] him at a vantage in his snares. (Spenser.)(g) Yet he was kind, or, if severe in aught,The love he bore to learning was in fault. (Goldsmith.)

(a) While he, withdrawn, at their mad labour smiles,And safe enjoys the Sabbath of his toils. (Dryden.)

(b) Dreading even fools, by flatterers besieg'd,And so obliging that he ne'er oblig'd. (Pope.)

(c)Cóntemplateis bad enough, butbálconymakes me sick. (Rogers.)

(d) The dame, of manner various, temper fickle,Now all for pleasure, now the conventicle. (Colman.)

(e) There is little doubt that in the pronunciation ofsuccessorthe antepenultimate accent will prevail. (Walker.)

(f) To ketch [catch] him at a vantage in his snares. (Spenser.)

(g) Yet he was kind, or, if severe in aught,The love he bore to learning was in fault. (Goldsmith.)

28. Determine which sounds are represented byeain the following words:bear,beard,bread,bead,yea,create,realm,leap,leapt,hearken; and byeoin the following words:yeoman,people,leopard,re-open.

29. Determine which sounds are represented byoiin the following words:boil,heroic,choir,tortoise,turquoise,coincide; and byouin the following words:south,southern,mourn,journal,though,thought,uncouth.

30. Determine which sounds are represented bygin the following words:gem,goal,gaol,gill,gibberish,fatigue,gnaw; and byoughin the following words:trough,through,thorough,sough,cough,rough,plough,lough.

31. A character in one of Miss Braddon's novels says: "Supernumery—it's no use, I don't think anybody ever did know how many syllables there are in that word." What is it that leads to the shortening of this word in uneducated speech? Mention similar cases of shortening.

Note.

The accent shows that thefollowingsyllable has the chief stress.

As these lists are intended for the use of English students, it has been thought sufficient to let [e] represent the first vowel sound and [i] the second vowel sound invery.

The variation in length of [ij] and other diphthongs and of [m, n, l], etc., has not been indicated.

Words which have occurred in the text of the book are not repeated here.

When two pronunciations are given, both may be considered as common; the first is generally to be preferred. If, however, a pronunciation is enclosed in brackets, it is to be regarded as faulty.

The above lists must be regarded as an experiment. It is not to be expected that the selection of words and in some cases the pronunciation indicated will commend themselves to all readers. Suggestions and criticisms are earnestly invited, so that it may be possible to improve the lists in subsequent editions.

Though the teaching of reading does not strictly come within the scope of this book, a few hints may be given on the subject.

For the first stages the student is referred to the wholly admirable work of Miss Dale, based throughout on a careful study of the spoken language.

Later on it is important that the pupils should be able to read aloud with distinct articulation and an agreeable voice. Far the most helpful book is Mr Burrell's "Clear Speaking and Good Reading" (published by Longmans). He dwells on the importance of good breathing and a good posture, and gives suitable exercises for ensuring both. He condemns all that is affected or stagy; indeed his whole book is an eloquent plea for quiet and restraint. He rightly advises the teacher to listen carefully to good speakers, avoiding (as a rule) those of his own profession. In dealing with phonetics he hardly appreciates the advantages attaching to a thorough study of the language as it is actually spoken; but we can recommend without reserve the later chapters of his book (vi. The Reading Lesson; vii. Reading and Reciting; viii. Specimen Lessons in Recitation; ix. On the Higher Study of Reading and Speaking).

The following diagrams serve to show the position of the tongue in the formation of some of the vowels.

Observe the different shapes of the mouth passage through which the breath passes.

(These diagrams were originally prepared by Dr. R. J. Lloyd.)

Back to Index Next