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New Zealand Listener, Volume 14, Issue 342, 11 January 1946, Page 5

Sir,-"Argosy’s" assertion that the names Slaithwaite and Yarmouth should be pronounced as spelt because that is what was originally intended is untenable unless he will concede the necessity, in that case, of altering the current pronunciation of every English word that has deviated from its original form, which means, essentially, every English word. These interminable arguments (and they are not confined to placenames) are all caused by there being so little relation between English speech and spelling; & fact that is recognised by Bernard Shaw and his fellow reformers, who want to resolve the dilemma by changing the orthography to conform with modern usage. I have not seen the alternative of changing the pronunciation to conform with the spelling suggested before but it sounds interesting.

DENNIS

McELDOWNEY

(Christ-

church).

Sir,-Your correspondent, J. E. Allan, claims to be a Scot, but his speech betrays him. The de’ils in; the cloven hoof always shows. Porridge is not "it" in

Scots.

G.W.

Z.

(Lower Hutt).

Sir,-I must thank all those contributors who have supported my opinion of the correct pronunciation of Yarmouth, I must confess that I did not realise there was any room for argument on that point. No one has yet answered my question, however, on the advisability of ensuring that radio speakers pronounce these names correctly. I consider that the National Broadcasting Service could fulfil a very useful function in the community by drawing up a form of standard speech which would be a lead to New Zealanders in deciding whether English as spoken by most English people, or a modified version which is becoming almost a standard by custom in New Zealand, shall be otr aim — whether, for instance, pity shall be pronounced "pit-i" or "pit-ee"; Tuesday pronounced "Tuz-de" or "Tuz-day"; ate ‘pronounced "et" or of "eight"; says, "sez" or "saize."" Other English-speaking countries have developed their own modifications of standard English and I personally see no reason why New Zealand

should not do the same, but I do feel that a lead should be given and I believe that the NBS is the proper body to perform such a service.

HOMEY

(Dunedin).