LINGUIST List 15.260

Sat Jan 24 2004

Qs: English Spelling/Pronunciation Poem

Editor for this issue: Naomi Fox <foxlinguistlist.org>

We'd like to remind readers that the responses to queries are usually best posted to the individual asking the question. That individual is then strongly encouraged to post a summary to the list. This policy was instituted to help control the huge volume of mail on LINGUIST; so we would appreciate your cooperating with it whenever it seems appropriate.

In addition to posting a summary, we'd like to remind people that it is usually a good idea to personally thank those individuals who have taken the trouble to respond to the query.

To post to LINGUIST, use our convenient web form at http://linguistlist.org/LL/posttolinguist.html.

Directory

  • Alan Roberts, looking for pronunciation poem

    Message 1: looking for pronunciation poem

     Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2004 19:09:21 -0500
    From: Alan Roberts <a.robertsadelphia.net>
    Subject: looking for pronunciation poem


    I was looking on the Internet for a poem that I heard a LONG time ago regarding the various pronunciations of "ough" in English. I made contact with a person who suggested that I post an inquiry here.

    The poem was similar to the one below that I did find, but it was different (and, if I recall accurately, better). It introduced a pronunciation of "ough" and then had it misused by a student, increasing his frustration until he finally "hit him with a rough" (rock). Anyone familiar with such a version? - ------------------- OUGH

    "Charles Battell Loomis, quoted in _Our Accursed Spelling_, edited by E.O. Vaile." Blancke, Wilton W. (1953), _General Principles of Language and Experiences in Language, Revised_, ed. by Richard D. Abraham (Boston: D.C. Heath).

    I'm taught p-l-o-u-g-h Shall be pronounced "Plow." "Zat's easy when you know," I say, "Mon Anglais I'll get through."

    My teacher say zat in zat case O-u-g-h is "oo." And zen I laugh and say to him "Zees Anglais make me cough."

    He say, "Not coo, but in zat word O-u-g-h is `off.'" O sacre bleu! Such varied sound Of words make me hiccough.

    He says, "Again my friend is wrong; O-u-g-h is `uff.'" I say, "I try to spik your words, I can't pronounce them, though."

    "In time you'll learn, but now you're wrong; O-u-g-h is `owe'!" "I'll try no more, I shall go mad, I'll drown me in ze lough." - -------------------------------------------------