Speaking 'properly' or not

[Steve]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "Mary Ann" <marycloudt at y...>
wrote:
> 
> Karen wrote:
> 
> > The one American way of pronouncing all the letters that really 
> > makes me cringe is calling Worcestershire Sauce "Wor-sester-shier 
> > Sauce" as opposed to  "Woo-ster-sheer sauce".


> Mary Ann:
> 
> I'm Canadian and lived in England ... and provided  continual glee 
> with my pronounciation of "yoghurt".  (Why that word in particular? 
> Not a clue).  To get my own back I'd tell everyone I was from 
> "Teronna", and as they looked at me in a clueless manner I'd spell 
> out "Toronto" for them very slowly.  Childish, but fun nonetheless. 
> ;)
> 
> The ... American way of pronouncing all the letters ..., ... I can
> make him cringe simply by pronouncing the local sidestreet Berkshire
> Lane "Burk- shire" instead of "Bark-sheer". ...
> ...
> 
> Mary Ann, 

bboyminn:

I'm curious whether these pronunciations are correct relative to the
rules and structure of the British English language, or if they are
merely commonly accepted pronunciations?

For example, there is a standard rule that while not all inclusive,
still cover many many words; it is, 'vowel, consonant, vowel'
typically mean the first Vowel is long and the second Vowel is silent.
So, 'Shire' become Sh-eye-er not shear or sheer. Further, the 'Ah'
sound, doesn't strike me as a standard pronunciation of the letter
'U'; 'Burk' vs 'Bark'. 

So, I'm wondering if these accepted pronunciations aren't regional
'accent' variations that while in violation of standard UK English
word construction and pronunciation, have come to be generally accepted?

The only accent related variation that comes to mind to use as an
example, it Tex-speak. While I acknowledge isn't a very good example,
it's all I can think of.

In Texas-

oil = awl
all = awl

You'd be rich if you owned awl the awl in Texas.

The only difference between the two pronunciations (awl) is a
microscopic barely detectable inflection difference that allows Texans
to know the difference. 

So, I guess the question is, is 'Bark-Sheer' really the correct
pronunciation based on the rules of UK English, or is it simply
accepted in the vernacular? 

Hope my question made sense. ...and by the way, how do they prononce
'yoghurt' if not as the dictionary indicates 'yogert'.

Just curious.

Steve/bboyminn