[HPFGU-OTChatter] Re: Thicknesse: Question on Pronunciation - All and Oil in Texas

[Janette]

>
> bboyminn:
>
> I'm surprised this conversation is still going on since
> the answer seems obvious.
>
> As to Sirius vs Serious, I think we are running into
> a conflict between Common pronunciation, or pronunciation
> in the vernacular, and technically correct pronunciation.
>
> In common speech, they are virtually the same. I think
> most people would pronounce then exactly the same, and
> make no distinction at all.
>
> However, I do think there is a very minor and subtle
> technical difference, that is difficult to explain.
>
> The best I can show is -
>
> sear-ee-us (Sirius)
>
> and
>
> sear-ee-os (serious)
>
> There is a microscopic hint of the 'O' in Serious,
> that would technically not be present in 'Sirius'.


I say technically there is a subtle difference between
Serious and Sirius, but from the perspective of
common everyday speech, they are essentially the same.

British - glacier - glah-see-ear

American - glacier - glay-shear

montims:
and Steve - I'm so sorry to keep thrashing a dead horse, but what you have
said may apply to an American accent, but is not correct from a British
point of view.  They are NOT the same in Brit speak.  As I have said before,
they are as discrete as sit and seat, hip and heap...  The difference is in
the first syllable - the second and third syllables of both Sirius and
serious sound identical to us.  Whether speaking "properly" or in the
vernacular...

And glacier would be glay-see-ah for most Brits from the Midlands down.
Probably, though I am no expert, glay-see-err in the north.

(An aside - I would have loved to have heard both Petunia and Snape speaking
in the northern accent that is assumed from Spinners End - she would have
sounded beautifully "posh", and his sarcasm would have sounded wonderful).


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