pronunciation

[Geoff Bannister]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, Janette <jnferr at ...> wrote:
>
> >
> > Carol:
> > Yes, "unvoiced" is right because the voicebox isn't involved in the
> > pronunciation of an unvoiced "th," only the lips and tongue. It's like
> > the difference between "t" (unvoiced) and "d" (voiced) or "s"
> > (unvoiced) and "z" (voiced). You should hear it clearly in "this"
> > (voiced "th") vs. "thin" (unvoiced "th"). There's no difference
> > between the "the sounds of "think" and "thin"--unvoiced in both cases.
> > But try saying "the" with an unvoiced "th" as in "thin." Can't be
> > done, or, at least, can't be done easily. (If you say the voiced "th"
> > alone and hold it for awhile, your tongue will vibrate a little.)
> >
> > montims:
> 
> 
> thermometer?  thermostat?  Hiawatha?

Geoff:
I think the difference between the voiced and unvoiced 'th' is a tiny 
difference between the tongue positions. The unvoiced 'th' has the 
tongue slightly further forward .

Referring back to my comments on teaching the other day, you'll 
particularly hear sloppy speakers with Cockney  or other similar 
London accents pronounce 'thousand' or 'thirty' with the 'f' sound 
- 'fahsend' or 'firty' - but 'this' or 'that' will be correct....