Speaking 'properly' or not

[Geoff Bannister]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "Pam Hugonnet" <pbarhug at e...> 
wrote:
> Steve(bboyminn) wrote:
> 
> 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. 

Geoff:
The vowel-consonant-vowel rule is very important with many words 
ending in "e" where the final vowel appears to be superfluous. But, 
as you say, it lengthens the preceding vowel and therefore often 
differentiates pronunciation. Examples are: mat/mate, not/note, 
man/mane and so on. This also explains why, if the short vowel 
example is a verb, it often doubles the final consonant in the past 
tense... mat/matted, tan/tanned, fulfil/fulfilled, counsel/counselled 
and so on.

Steve:
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?


Geoff:
There are other examples of the "e" spoken as an "a" still around 
nowadays. Derbyshire (pronounced Darbyshire) and clerk (pronounced 
clark) come to mind.

It is interesting that someone referred to the derivation of "berk" 
from the extremely obscene Cockney rhyming slang. because "berk" on 
its own has reverted to the pronunciation as spelt. As an aside, it 
is much more mildly pejorative than originally so. I have no qualms 
in calling a friend "a silly berk" when something daft has been done.

There is a thread discussing rhyming slang and associated topics on 
the main HPFGU group. It begins at message 80201 as "English Slang" 
and becomes "Idioms amd slang" as it goes along. Might be worth a 
read.

I think saying that there are no rules on pronunciation and spelling 
in English is rather extreme. We leap with great glee on the 
exceptions - often occurring in place names.

To this end, two personal anecdotes. In West Somerset, where I now 
live, villages or areas ending in "-worthy" are pronounced as if 
ending in "-ery". Examples are Badgworthy Water (in Lorna Doone 
country) which becomes "Badgery Water" and Pinkworthy Pond on the 
high moor which has become "Pinkery Pond" and is even spelt in this 
way on modern maps. Near to myhome in Porlock is Selworthy, famous 
for its church and village green. My family jokingly refer to it 
as "Celery" :-)

The other is a joke at the expense of US friends. Many years ago, I 
was on holiday with my family in the western Lake District. We were 
by the side of a road near to Wastwater, one of the more remote 
lakes, when a car drew up and an American visitor leaned out and 
asked "Am I right for Wastewater?" As I gently corrected his 
pronunciation and told him that he was indeed, my teenage rebels 
behind me were attempting to stifle howls of laughter and my eldest 
son remarked, as our visitor departed "Dad, are you sure he wasn't 
looking for Sellafield?" This latter village is the site of one of 
the biggest nuclear power plants in the UK and was only 6 miles fom 
us. This joke is now part of family history!

Finally, and more seriously, for anyone interested in the development 
of our language, may I direct you to a book written by that excellent 
Anglophile American Bill Bryson "Mother Tongue".