PRONUNCIATION PROBLEM
Sir.-Examples of mispronunciation are so common on the air that it is a matter of wonder that something is not done in the way of finding a solution. It is admitted that The Listener has devoted ample space to the subject of the method of writing our language, but one hears nothing of anything being done in New Zealand to give us a system of letters which will enable us to achieve uniformity in pronunciation. All that is required is an alphabet which will supply single symbols for all the sounds we use. Our present system of expressing some vowel sounds by using two letters is far from perfect. It may be that persons who have devoted much study to the subject may be able at sight to tell the pronuntiation of a word by its spelling, but I think the majority of people would find themselves in difficulties. Truly, the commonalty speak the commoner words correctly, but this comes from memorisation of the sound, after having learnt the sound by ear. The test of our system is to confront a person with an unfamiliar word containing a vowel sound expressed by two letters. I think that most would give a wrong sound. It is probably true that in our English speech we use all the sounds found in foreign languages, both as regards consonants and vowels, and it should not be beyond ‘the wit of man to devise a set of symbols which would clearly express them all. With such an alphabet it would be possible to pronounce any word on sight. Your correspondent H. M. Bracken speaks of the need of a standard New Zealand dictionary, but that could wait for a while. A very great deal would be accomplished if the pronunciation of our radio announcers was standardised, for they can influence people who would seldom consult a dictionary. In parting, can any reader tell me what Russian symbol is used to express the first vowel in the name Chaikovski. My small acquaintance with the Russian symbols does not include knowledge of one which would produce the vowel sound in the English word "price." I am assuming that the letters used in the English rendering of the mame are intended to produce
that sound,
ALPHA
(Stratford).
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19460802.2.14.9
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
New Zealand Listener, Volume 15, Issue 371, 2 August 1946, Page 22
Word count
Tapeke kupu
381PRONUNCIATION PROBLEM New Zealand Listener, Volume 15, Issue 371, 2 August 1946, Page 22
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Material in this publication is protected by copyright.
Are Media Limited has granted permission to the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa to develop and maintain this content online. You can search, browse, print and download for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Are Media Limited for any other use.
Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
Copyright in the Denis Glover serial Hot Water Sailor published in 1959 is owned by Pia Glover. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this serial and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the Listener. You can search, browse, and print this serial for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Pia Glover for any other use.
Log in