Dunedin Speakers' Pronunciation

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 30, 1 February 1935, Page 21

Dunedin Speakers' Pronunciation

4YA Man Charged With Inconsistency — General Inability Where Maori and Foreign Names Occur — Interesting Items Planned For Coming Week — Duke’s Farewell.

PRONUNCIATION will ever be the bane of the radio announcer’s existence. At: the same time it will always be one of the disagreeable features with which the listeners will havé to con‘tend. Seemingly the B.B.C. has overcome the difficulty to a marked degree by providing specially prepared ¢ictionaries for its announcers, but in New Zealand there is the extra. difficulty on account of- the frequent reference to Maori proper names, and _ there is a sure trap for the unwary microphonist. Even so, as time goes by, some step will have to be taken to obtain a book so that there will at least be’ uniformity in such pronunciation, as well as in respect of the English language itself. SIN CE it was only about three weeks ago that an editorial on this subject appeared in the "Radio Record," drawing attention to comment made by the Christchurch "Press," it is not the purpose of this Otago writer to deal with the matter except to mention casually the frequent blunders made by a certain 4YA announcer. One expects something a little better from the -board‘’s paid servants. Seldom is the Maori pronunciation in accord with the , usually accepted pronunciation, established by usage,, and the common Waikouaiti and Timaru are literally pounced upon and mouthed unmercifully. But the pronunciation of English words is also: faulty, and many strange new versions are forced on to the public. As for foreign words, there is usually a halt, and then something is said which ofttimes completely mystifies listeners. The same can be said of the names of race horses, though it has to be ‘admitted some of them are difficult. However, how anyone could make "Fraykas" out of Fracas is hard to imagine, while "Port Pyrie"’ for Port Pirie is perhans less pardonable. Much mirth resulted from the attempts made by some of the entrants for an announcing competition recently organised by a Duedin B station. It was 4 true indication of the bona fide annovncer’s responsibility, as it proved how many musical titles (fdr instance) could be mispronounced, and in some cases one was led to wonder how such words could be contrived. ’ N° fresh developments have been reported during the past week in connection with the new 4YA. However, it has been interesting to learn that Mr. W.. Ward, the Australian engineer, who has had much to do with the construc: tion of aerial masts in New Zealand. including that at Henderson, for the new 1YA, has been signed to continue his good work in a similar capacity in Dunedin. He it is who will be resnonsible for the erection of the 500ft. lattice steel mast at Highcliff, referred to in these notes last week. MORE adverse criticisms than comnllments have been heard in Dunedin in regard to the national relay of the to keep listeners interested,

Duke of Gloucester’s farewell and departure from Lyttelton last week. For a brief period the announcer was able to keep listeners interested, but with rain falling, the broadeast finally began to drag, and it was only the

Duke’s few words. the uncertain strains of the Canterbury Regimental . Band playing the appropriate Maori. farewell song which prevented the relay from being something in. the nature of a "flop."