Re: Pronunciation

> on the topic of phonemes etc. here's a one page set of rules that I've
had some success in getting students to remember how to guess the
pronunciation of particular words. I would like to hear your comments
and criticisms.
>
> The Rules... http://www.virtual.net.au/~bhandley/phonics.PDF
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Tsc Tempest DCA


Sorry, when asked to comment like that I can't resist a good pick at the bones.

If "G" is followed by any letter other than "E" "I" or "Y," then it is either 
sounded like the "G" in "goose" or it is silent. I am not aware of any 
exceptions.

* "Margarine" seems to be an exception, but the correct pronunciation is 
marGarine, with the Gsounding like the "G" in "goose." If nobody or very few 
people pronounce it with a hard G then soft g must be correct. Unless you are 
being unduly prescriptive.

The word "was" is pronounced as it is spelt. The letter "W" or a "W sound" 
makes a short "A" which follows it sound like a short "O," In other words, a 
"W" changes the sound of a short "A" to a short "O." Examples: want, wash, 
wander, watch, swan, swap, wallet, waddle, wadding, waffle, wallaby. Quad, 
quality, qualify, what, quadratic. Swam

The letter "W" usually makes a short "O" sound like a short "U." Examples: won, 
wonder, worry. Wobble

Here are some myths about the English language and phonics.

1 English words are not pronounced as they are written.

Take the present and past tense of to read: read/read (reed/red). one of these 
is not pronounced as it is written.

This doesn't mean the rules he gives aren't useful, just that they are not as 
universal as he makes out.

Dick Tibbetts




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