LONGMAN PRONUNCIATION DICTIONARY STUDY GUIDE
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LONGMAN
PRONUNCIATION
DICTIONARY
STUDY GUIDE
Clare Fletcher
Longman
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Longman Group UK Limited
Longman House, Burnt Mill, Harlow,
Essex CM20 2JE, England
and Associated Companies throughout the world.
© Longman Group UK Limited 1990
All rights reserved: no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, without the prior written consent of the Publishers.
ISBN 0 582 05386.2
Set in Monophoto Century Schoolbook
Printed in Great Britain
by Richard Clay PLC., Bungay, Suffolk.
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CONTENTS
Introduction
Part A: Pronunciations and variants
1. Characters used in phonemic transcription ex.1-8
2. What pronunciations are given: the layout of entries ex.9-11
3. Alternative pronunciations
DIAGNOSTIC EXERCISE ex.12
ALTERNATIVES AT THE BEGINNING OF A WORD ex.13
ALTERNATIVES AT TH E END OF A WORD ex.14
ALTERNATIVES IN THE MIDDLE OF A WORD ex.15
COMBINATIONS OF ALTERNATIVES ex.16
ALTERNATIVE PRONUNCIATIONS INVOLVING THE SYMBOL ▪ ex.17
QUIZ ON ALTERNATIVE PRONUNCIATIONS ex.18
4. Inflected and derived words ex.19-20
APPLICATION EXERCISES ON LAYOUT OF ENTRIES.
ALTERNATIVE PRONUNCIATIONS. INFLECTIONS AND DERIVED FORMS ex.21-22
5. Optional sounds
SOUNDS SHOWN IN ITALICS: ELISION ex.23-26
SOUNDS SHOWN BY RAISED LETTERS: INSERTION ex.27
CONVERSATION FOR STUDY: OPTIONAL SOUNDS ex.28
6. Syllabic consonants ex.29-31
7. Compression
COMPRESSION INVOLVING A CONSONANT ex.32-35
COM PRESSION INVOLVING A VOWEL ex.36-37
CONVERSATION FOR STUDY: SYLLABIC CONSONANTS AND ex.38
COMPRESSION
Part B: Stress in words and phrases
8. Pairs of words with different stress ex.39-43
9. Stress marking
PRIMARY STRESS ex.44-45
SECONDARY AND PRIMARY STKKSS ex.46-47
TERTIARY STRESS ex.48-50
MIXED PATTERNS ex.51-53
10. Stress shift ex.54-58
11. Compounds and phrases ex.59-63
12. Alternative pronunciations with different stress ex.64-66
13. Suffixes ex.67-69
Part C: Aspects of pronunciation in the dictionary
14. American pronunciation
SIX DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BRITISH AND AMERICAN ENGLISH ex.70-75
QUIZZES ON AMERICAN PRONUNCIATION ex.76-77
TEXT FOR STUDY: AMERICAN PRONUNCIATION ex.78
15. Homophones ex.79
16. Abbreviations ex.80
17. Names of people and places ex.81
18. Assimilation ex.82-83
TEXT FOR STUDY: ASSIMILATION ex.84
19. Pronunciations derived by rule ex.85
20. Incorrect pronunciations ex.86
21. Combining forms ex.87-88
Key to Exercises
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INTRODUCTION
This study guide enables readers to make the best use of the Longman Pronunciation Dictionary.
The dictionary and study guide together are a powerful aid to the study of English pronunciation.
WHAT THE STUDY GUIDE CONTAINS
• Discussion of features of English pronunciation shown in the dictionary and explanation of the
conventions used to show them.
• Exercises to develop effective use of the dictionary.
• Cross-references to relevant material in the dictionary's introduction and notes.
• Diagnostic exercises in the early sections to enable you to assess your proficiency and select
appropriate material.
• Explicit statements of aims to show the purpose of each exercise.
• A key at the back of the book for checking the answers to exercises, where these are not
immediately obvious from the dictionary.
The cassette provides three types of material:
• Illustration of pronunciations you see in the book and dictionary.
• Exercises.
• A means of checking your answers to certain exercises.
HOW TO USE THE STUDY GUIDE
You can work through the guide from beginning to end, or you can plan your own programme to
meet your needs.
Planning a programme
• Look at the Contents List.
• Use the diagnostic exercises in the early sections.
• Look at the aims of sections and of specific exercises.
• Select the sections and exercises which are useful for you.
Using the commentary and exercises
• It is always helpful to say the pronunciations you are reading, to make them clear and to fix
them in your memory. This may not be possible, for example if you are working in a library. But
if you are working by yourself, or with others also using the study guide, make a habit of saying
the pronunciations.
• Always look up pronunciations in the dictionary when you are told to do so. In some exercises,
the words to look up begin with the same letter, to speed up the search.
• Some exercises involve transcription; you can get further practice by transcribing any of the
dialogues and texts in the book and cassette, and these are transcribed in the key at the back of
the book.
• Look up cross-references to the introduction or notes in the dictionary, if you want to take a
point further.
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RP Gen Consonants RP Gen Vowels
Am Am
• • p pen, copy, happen • • ɪ kit, bid, hymn
• • b back, bubble, job • • e dress, bed
• • t tea, tight, button • • æ trap, bad
• t̼ city, better • ɒ lot, odd, wash
• • d day, ladder, odd • • ʌ strut, bud, love
• • k key, cock, school • • ʊ foot, good, put
• • g get, giggle, ghost • • iː fleece, sea, machine
• • ʧ church, match, nature • • eɪ face, day, steak
• • ʤ judge, age, soldier • • aɪ price, high, try
• • f fat, coffee, rough, physics • • ɔɪ choice, boy
• • v view, heavy, move • • uː goose, two, blue
• • θ thing, author, path • əʊ goat, show, no
• • ð this, other, smooth • oʊ goat, show, no
• • s soon, cease, sister • ɒʊ variant in cold
• • z zero, zone, roses, buzz • • aʊ mouth, now
• • ʃ ship, sure, station • ɪə near, here, serious
• • ʒ pleasure, vision • eə square, fair, various
• • h hot, whole, behind • • ɑː start, father
• • m more, hammer, sum • ɑː lot, odd
• • n nice, know, funny, sun • ɒː thought, law
• • ŋ ring, long, thanks, sung • ɔː thought, law
• • l light, valley, feel • • ɔː north, war
• • r right, sorry, arrange • oː variant in force, four
• • j yet, use, beauty • ʊə cure, poor, jury
• • w wet, one, when, queen • ɜː nurse, stir
In foreign words only: • ɝː nurse, stir, courage
• • x loch, chutzpah • • i happy, radiation, glorious
• ɬ Llanelli, Hluhluwe • • ə about, comma, common
• • u influence, situation,
annual
• • ɩ intend, basic
• ʊ stimulus, educate
In foreign words only:
• ɒ̃ grand prix, chanson
• • ɑ̃ː grand prix, chanson
• ɒ̃ː chanson
• • æ̃ vingt-et-un
• ɜ̃ː vingt-et-un
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Part A: pronunciation and variants
1 Characters used in phonemic transcription
The chart on the previous page shows the chit rafters which are used to transcribe
pronunciations in the dictionary. The sounds and key words are recorded on the cassette, followed
by the vowel sounds in sequence.
Within words, syllable boundaries are shown by spaces
e.g. ˌɪn dɪ ˈpend ənt
EXERCISE 1
Diagnostic exercise in reading straightforward phonemic transcriptions quickly and
accurately.
Time yourself as you do this exercise.
For each of the words a-j below, find the correct phonemic transcription in the list on the right. Write
its number next to the word. The first one is done for you.
a. await .5. 1. krɪ ˈeɪt ɔ
2. jet
b. billow .... 3. ˈɒ rɪnʤ
4. ʧəʊz
starting time:
................
c. chose .... 5. ə ˈweɪt
6. ʤet
finishing time:
................
d. creature .... 7. bɪ ˈləʊ
8. ˈsɜːʤ ən
time taken:
................
e. drudge .... 9. ə ˈreɪnʤ
10. hɑːt
f. hurt .... 11. drʌg
12. ˈbɪl əʊ
g. jet .... 13. rekt
14. ˈæv ɪd
h. orange .... 15. ʧɔɪz
16. ˈsɑːʤənt
i. sergeant .... 17. ˈkriːʧ ə
18. drʌʤ
j. wrecked .... 19. ˈreʧ ɪd
20. hɜːt
Check your answers to exercise 1 with the key at the back of the book.
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EXERCISES 2-8
AIM: To practise recognising and producing straightforward phonemic transcriptions.
EXERCISE 2
Look back at the transcriptions in exercise 1. Write the words represented by the ten
transcriptions which did not match a-j.
EXERCISE 3
Which word does each of the transcriptions below represent? Circle the correct word. Work as
quickly as you can. The first one is done for you.
A B
1. aɪs eyes ice
2. ˈæŋkəl ankle uncle
3. səʊl soil soul
4. briːð breathe breath
5. əˈvɪɔd avoid evade
6. θɪŋ thin thing
7. ˈpəʊz ɪz possess poses
8. vaɪn vein vine
9. ˈluːv ə louvre lover
10. ˈfiːl ɪŋz fillings feelings
You can check your answers in the key and on the cassette.
EXERCISE 4
Look back at the pairs of words given in exercise 3. For each pair, transcribe the one not
transcribed on the left.
EXERCISE 5
Read the transcriptions below, and then listen to the eight words on the cassette. For each
word, write the letter of the correct transcription beside the corresponding number. The first one is
done for you.
a. ˈleð ə e. ˈkæʧ ə i. liːd ə m. ˈkɒŋ kɔːd
b. ˈwɒʃ ɪŋ f. luːs j. eɪʤ n. əˈlaɪv
c. kæ ˈʃɪə g. ˈwɒʧ ɪŋ k. ˈɒl ɪv o. luːz
d. ˈleʒ ə h. eʤ l. ˈkɒŋ kəd p. ˈleʤ ə
1. .i. 2. .... 3. .... 4. .... 5. .... 6. .... 7. .... 8. ....
EXERCISE 6
Look back at transcriptions a-p in exercise 5. Write the eight words shown which were not
given on the cassette.
You can check your answers in the key and on the cassette.
EXERCISE 7
In the following pairs of words, is the first syllable the same (S) or different (D)? Use the
dictionary to check. The first two are done for you.
1. worthy worried .D. 7. majestic magician ....
2. feral ferrous .S. 8. patient patio ....
3. dynasty dynamite .... 9. southeast southern ....
4. variegated various .... 10. period pierrot ....
5. vagary vagabond .... 11. nutrient nutmeg ....
6. vicissitude vicar .... 12. foreign forecast ....
EXERCISE 8
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Time yourself as you do this exercise.
For each of the words a-j below, find the correct phonemic transcription in the list on the right. Write
its letter next to the word. The first one is done for you.
a. season .19. 1. ˈsɪŋ ə
2. fɔ ˈnet ɪk
b. wordy .... 3. ə ˈgen
4. ˈfɔː mən
starting time:
................
c. foreman .... 5. ˈnʌt ə
6. ʃiːld
finishing time:
................
d. neuter .... 7. jɪə
8. fɔ ˈnæt ɪk
time taken:
................
e. phonetic .... 9. ˈsɪn ə
10. ˈpleʒ ə
f. sinner .... 11. ˈnjuːt ə
12. ˈwɜːd i
g. shield .... 13. ˈsiːz ɪŋ
14. ʤɪə
h. organ .... 15. pliːz
16. siːld
i. please .... 17. ˈɔːg ən
18. ˈfɔː neɪm
j. jeer .... 19. ˈsiːz ən
20. ˈwɜːð i
Check your answers with the key. Did you do better than in exercise 1? Were you more
accurate and/or quicker?
2 What pronunciations are given: the layout of entries
For every word the dictionary gives a main pronunciation. This is highlighted in blue. If the American
pronunciation is different, it is given, following the symbol ǁ, and aiso highlighted in blue. If no
separate American pronunciation is given, this means that the word has the same pronunciation in
British and American English.
match mæʧ dot, Dot dɒt ‖ dɑːt
If there are widely used alternatives, either in British or American English, these are given. Some
alternatives are characteristic of British regional accents, and are marked †.
data 'deɪt ə 'dɑːt ə, †'dæt ə‖ 'deɪt̼ə 'dæt̼ə, 'dɑːt ə
bath v bɑːθ †bæθ
Occasionally, pronunciations are shown which many English speakers use, but which many other
English speakers consider incorrect. These are marked ◬.
ate past of eat et eɪt ‖ eɪt ◬et
(In American English et is considered incorrect.)
The dictionary entries below are labelled to show the pronunciations given.
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EXERCISE 9
AIM: To become familiar with the layout of entries, and recognise the types of
pronunciation shown.
Label the dictionary entries below, like those on page 5.
EXERCISE 10
AIM: To recognise the types of pronunciation given, and practise transcribing them.
Study the dictionary entries printed below.
Then use the information to complete the boxes on the following page.
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Main pron
1. match
2. ballad
3. mead
mæʧ
Main pron Alternative pron
4. lewd
5. suit
luːd ljuːd
Main pron AmE pron
6. mark
7. dot
8. herb
9. part
mɑːk mɑːrk
Main pron Regional pron AmE pron
10.bath
11.past
bɑːθ bæθ bæθ
Main pron AmE pron Alternative AmE pron
12.mayor
13.broad
14.ballet
15.bare
meə meɪər meər
Main pron Regional pron AmE pron Alternative AmE pron
16.new
17.tube
njuː nuː nuː njuː
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EXERCISE 11
AIM: To identify which pronunciation of a word is used, when you hear it.
Listen to the speakers on the cassette. Notice their pronunciation of the words studied on pages
7-8. Transcribe the words as they pronounce them, and identify which of the variant pronunciations
they use. You might like to say whether you think each speaker is English or American. The first one
is done for you.
Transcription Which pron? English or American?
Speaker 1:
mark
past
mayor
Speaker 2:
tour
part
poor
Speaker 3:
rare
new
suit
ballet
Speaker 4:
Tube
last
four
mɑːk
pæst
main
regional (or AmE)
English with regional accent
For those interested in studying some of the differences between American and British English
pronunciation, there is a section on American pronunciation on pages 65-70. Regional
pronunciations are discussed in LPD Introduction 2.2.
3 Alternative pronunciations
In order to present information concisely, alternative pronunciations are often abbreviated. To get
the most out of the dictionary, it is important to be able to interpret the conventions which are used.
EXERCISE 12
Diagnostic exercise in interpreting information about alternative pronunciations.
How many pronunciations are represented in this entry from the dictionary?
beautiful ˈbjuːt əf əl -ɪf-; -ɪ fʊl, -ə- ‖ˈbjuːt-
When you have worked out what you think, check your answer in the key.
If you got the right answer, you made good use of the conventions which enable the dictionary to
present so much information in such a small space. You do not need to work through exercises 13-16. Go straight on to exercise 17.
If you didn't spot all the pronunciations of beautiful, you might like to go back now and try to work
them out for yourself before you look at the details below and listen to the pronunciations on the
cassette.
ˈbjuːt əf əl -ɪf-; -ɪ fʊl, -ə- ‖ ˈbjuːt-
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 - 12
1. The main pronunciation, the one recommended to foreign learners, is ˈbjuːt əf l
2. Alternative pronunciation: ˈbjuːt əf əl
The other alternatives all have the same first syllable as the main pronunciation, so this syllable is
not repeated; it is replaced by a hyphen (-).
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3. & 4. An alternative pronunciation of the middle syllable: ˈbjuːt ɪf l ˈbjuːt əf əl
5. An alternative pronunciation - a different pronunciation of the final syllable: ˈbjuːt ɪf ʊl
6. The same first and last syllable as 5 with a different middle syllable: ˈbjuːt ə fʊl
The American pronunciation has a different allophone of t in the first syllable. The main American
pronunciation is therefore:
7. ˈbjuːt̼əf l
The alternative pronunciations of the middle and last syllables shown in 2-6 also occur in American
pronunciations, so alternatives exist:
8. ˈbjuːt̼əf əl
9. ˈbjuːt̼ɪf l
10. ˈbjuːt̼ɪf əl
11. ˈbjuːt̼ɪ fʊl
12. ˈbjuːt̼ə fʊl
The example above shows how much information a brief entry can contain. The conventions for
showing alternative pronunciations are studied systematically in the rest of this section.
EXERCISES 13-17
AIM: To understand the conventions used to abbreviate alternative pronunciations
following the main pronunciation.
When alternative pronunciations differ only in one syllable, the dictionary shows the part of the word
which is different, and the rest of the word is ‘cut back’.
Alternatives at the beginning of a word
This means that there is an alternative pronunciation, æˈstrɒl əʤ i. Only the first syllable, is
different. This is given in the dictionary, and the rest of the pronunciation is represented by a
hyphen (-).
EXERCISE 13
The following words all have one or more alternative pronunciations of the first syllable. (The
number in brackets shows the number of alternatives.)
a. Can you think what the alternatives are? Write what you think.
b. Look the words up in the dictionary, and note the alternatives shown. Correct what you wrote, if
necessary.
1. accept ækˈsept (2) .................
2. behave bɪˈheɪv (2) .................
3. desolation ˌdes əˈleɪ ʃn (1) .................
4. economic ˌiːk əˈnɒm ɪk (1) .................
5. exult ɪgˈzʌlt (5) .................
Alternatives at the end of a word
This means that there is an alternative pronunciation. The first syllable, which is the same, is not
repeated; instead it is replaced by a hyphen.
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This means that Americans pronounce the final syllable with a different vowel; the final syllable is
given (with an alternative), and the first two syllables, which are the same as the main English
pronunciation, are replaced by a hyphen.
EXERCISE 14
The following words all have one or more alternative pronunciations of the last syllable. (The
number in brackets shows the number of alternatives.)
a. Can you think what the alternatives are? Write what you think.
b. Look the words up in the dictionary, and note the alternatives shown. Correct what you wrote, if
necessary.
1. garage ˈgær ɑːʒ (2) .................
2. kindred ˈkɪndr əd (1) .................
3. hopeful ˈhəʊp fəl (1) .................
4. mistress ˈmɪs trəs (1) .................
5. opiate ˈəʊp i⌣ət (2) .................
Alternatives in the middle of a word
This means that there is an alternative pronunciation. The first and last syllables are the same as
the main pronunciation, so they are each replaced by a hyphen.
EXERCISE 15
The following words all have an alternative pronunciation of the middle syllable.
a. Can you think what the alternative is? Write what you think.
b. Look the words up in the dictionary, and note the alternative shown. Correct what you wrote, if
necessary.
1. secretive ˈsiːk rət ɪv .................
2. incisive ɪn ˈsaɪs ɪv .................
3. inherent ɪnˈhɪər ənt .................
4. manager ˈmæn ɪʤ ə .................
5. make-believe ˈmeɪk bɪ◦liːv .................
Combinations of alternatives
In some words, more than one syllable has an alternative pronunciation, and these are independent
of one another. The alternative syllables marked in the dictionary therefore represent several
combinations.
abseil ˈæb seɪəl ˈæp-, -saɪəl
There are two possible first syllables, and two possible second syllables. These can combine to make
four pronunciations.
ˈæb seɪəl ˈæb seɪəl
ˈæp seɪəl
ˈæp saɪəl ˈæb saɪəl
ˈæp saɪəl
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EXERCISE 16
Below are a number of dictionary entries. For each entry, one of the alternative
pronunciations shown is recorded on the cassette. For each one:
a. Transcribe the pronunciation you hear.
b. Circle the parts of the dictionary entry which show that pronunciation.
The first one is done for you.
1. decision dɪˈsɪʒən də-, †diː, ˈzɪʃ, -zɪʒ ...dəˈziʒn.....
2. opposite ˈɒp əz ɪt -əs-, †-ət‖ɑːp- .................
3. substantial səbˈstæntʃəl †sʌb-, -ˈstɑːntʃ- .................
4. transistor træn ˈzɪst ə trɑːn-, †trən-, -ˈsɪst .................
5. decisive dɪˈsaɪs ɪv də-, †diː-, -ˈsaɪz- .................
6. exasperate ɪgˈ zæsp ə reɪt eg-, əg-, ɪk-, ek-, ək-, -ˈzɑːsp- .................
Alternative pronunciations involving the symbol ▪
Unstressed syllables in the middle of a multisyllabic word are often shown in relation to a stressed
syllable. This ensures that you know which syllable is being referred to.
This square block preceded by a stress mark stands for the stressed syllable in front of the
alternative pronunciation. The alternative pronunciation of the word is thus:
ˈmæn əʤ əb əl
Notice that the square block (▪) always stands for one syllable, whereas the hyphen (-) replacing
part of a word may stand for one or more than one syllable.
This square block preceded by a tertiary stress mark stands tor the syllable which carries tertiary
stress in the main pronunciation. The alternative pronunciation is thus clearly shown as referring to
the syllable following the tertiary stress. The alternative pronunciation of the word is thus:
ˌʌn◦ser ə ˈməʊn i⌣əs
This alternative is shown as being in the syllable after the initial stressed syllable. Thus:
ˈæk jə◦pʌŋk ʧər ɪst
EXERCISE 17
Use the dictionary to help you say and transcribe the following:
1. The American pronunciation of Aberdeen, in Scotland.
2. All the alternative pronunciations shown for academician.
3. The pronunciation of Addis Ababa.
4. The second pronunciation of manageress.
5. A regional pronunciation of misrepresentation.
EXERCISE 18
Quiz on alternative pronunciations.
Use the dictionary to answer the following questions.
1. Can exorcise be pronounced like exercise?
2. How many British and American pronunciations exist for majority? Transcribe each one.
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3. mandatory - is the pronunciation mæn ˈdeɪt ər i used in America?
4. TRUE OR FALSE? ‘Nobody uses /s/ in the middle of appreciate.’
5. TRUE OR FALSE? ‘acotyledon is sometimes pronounced with three ə‘s.’
4 Inflected and derived words
The dictionary shows how inflected and derived words are pronounced. One-syllable words are
shown in full. For others, both the spelling and pronunciation are shown as endings following a
headword.
reason, R~ ˈriːzən ~ed d ~ing/s ⌣ɪŋ/z ~s z
reasonab|le ˈriːzən⌣əb|əl ~ly li ~ness nəs nɪs
reassess ˌriː⌣əˈses ~ed t ~es ɪz əz ~ing ɪŋ ~ment/s mənt/s
reassign ˌriː⌣əˈsaɪn ~ed d ~ing ɪŋ ~s z
reas|sure ˌriː⌣ə |ˈʃɔː -ˈʃʊə; rɪəˈ▪ ‖-|ˈʃʊər -ˈʃɝː ~sured ˈʃɔːd ˈʃʊəd ‖ˈʃʊərd ˈʃɝːd ~sures ˈʃɔːz ˈʃʊəz ‖ˈʃʊərz
ˈʃɝːz ~suring/ly ˈʃɔːr ɪŋ/li ˈʃʊər- ‖ˈʃʊrɪŋ/li ˈʃɝː-
reassuranc|e ˌriː⌣ə ˈʃʊər ənts -ˈʃɔːr- ‖ˈʃʊr- ˈʃɝː- ~es ɪz əz
Reamur, Re̍amur ˈreɪ əʊ mjuə ‖ˌreɪ oʊ ˈmjuər −Fr [ʁe o myːʁ]
Reave riːv
reawaken ˌriː⌣ə weɪk ən ~ed d ~ing ⌣ɪŋ ~s z
reason, R~ ˈriːzən ~ed d ~ing/s ⌣ɪŋ/z ~s z
In the spelling of this example, endings are added to the headword with no alteration. For the
pronunciation of inflected words, just add the pronunciation of the endings. Thus:
reasoned ˈriːzənd
reasoning ˈriːzən⌣ɪŋ
reasonings ˈriːzən⌣ɪŋz
reasons ˈriːzənz
Sometimes an ending is added not to the complete word but to just part of it. The symbol | is used
to show exactly which part is concerned.
reasonab|le ˈriːzən⌣əb|əl ~ly li ~ness nəs nɪs
reasonab+ly=reasonably ˈriːzən⌣əb+li=ˈriːzən⌣əbli
reassuranc|e ˌriː⌣ə ˈʃʊər ənˈs -ˈʃɔːr- ‖ˈʃʊr- ˈʃɝː- ~es ɪz əz
reassuranc+es=reassurances ˌriː⌣ə ˈʃʊər ənts+ɪz=ˌriː⌣ə ˈʃʊər ənts ɪz
EXERCISE 19
AIM: To understand the conventions used in the dictionary to show the spelling and
pronunciation of inflected and derived words. To transcribe the pronunciations.
Find the following words in the dictionary extract, and transcribe their pronunciation.
1. reassessment ..............
2. reassigned ..............
3. reassuring ..............
4. reawakens ..............
EXERCISE 20
Quiz on inflected and derived forms.
Use the dictionary to help you answer the following questions.
1. What is the American pronunciation of marketed?
16
2. How is kindliness pronounced - 'kaɪnd li nəs or 'kaɪnd lə nəs?
3. Which is the correct pronunciation of uselessly - 'juːs ləs li or juːz ləs li?
4. TRUE OR FALSE? ‘The words studied and studded are sometimes pronounced the same.’
5. How is the plural of agency pronounced - ˈeɪʤ əns iz or ˈeɪʤ əns əz?
EXERCISES 21-22
AIM: To apply your understanding of layout of entries, alternative pronunciations,
inflections and derived forms.
EXERCISE 21
Look up in the dictionary the words listed below, and complete the table. The first two are done
for you.
Main Alternative Regional AmE AmE alternative
1. Asia
2. nothing
3. Aberdaron
4. ballroom
5. behave
6. economics
7. managing
8. target
ˈeɪʃ ə
ˈnʌθ ɪŋ
ˈeɪʒ ə
ˈnɑθ ɪŋ
ˈeɪʒ ə ˈeɪʃ ə
EXERCISE 22
Look up in the dictionary the words listed below, and complete the table. The first two are done
for you.
Main Alternative Regional ‘Incorrect’ AmE AmE alternative
1. topmast
2. arthritis
3. Buckingham
4. dansing
5. mistake
6. Saturday
7. tariff
8. trauma
ˈtɒp mɑːst
ɑːˈθraɪt ɪs
ˈtɒp məst ˈtɒp mæst
ɑːˈθraɪt əs
ɑːθ əˈraɪt ɪs
ˈtɑːp mæst
ɑːr ˈθraɪt̼əs
5 Optional sounds
1. Optional sounds are sounds which are pronounced by some speakers or an some
occasions, but are omitted by other speakers or on other occasions. In LPD ihcy arc indicated in two
ways: by italics and by raised letters.
2. Sounds shown in italics are sounds which the foreign learner is recommended to include
(although native speakers sometimes omit them). They denote sounds which may optionally be
elided (omitted).
lunch ˈlʌntʃ Some say lʌntʃ, others say lʌnʃ. LPD recommends ˈlʌntʃ.
bacon ˈbeɪk ən Some say ˈbeɪk ən, others say ˈbeɪk n. LPD recommends ˈbeɪk ən.
3. Sounds shown with raised letters are sounds which the foreign learner is recommended to
ignore (although native speakers sometimes include them). They denote sounds which may
optionally be inserted.
fence fents Some say fens, others say fents. LPD recommends fens.
sadden ˈsæd ən Some say ˈsæd n, others say ˈsæd ən. LPD recommends ˈsæd n.
Sounds shown in italics: elision
Elision is the omission (= deletion) of a sound that would otherwise be present. It is particularly
characteristic of rapid or casual speech.
17
EXERCISE 23
AIM: To identify the full and elided pronunciation of words when you hear them.
a. The words below all have a sound which can be elided (omitted, deleted). Listen to the
cassette: each word is spoken twice, first in full, and then with elision.
in full with elision
1. French frentʃ frenʃ
2. plunge plʌndʒ plʌnʒ
3. stamped stæmpt stæmt
4. tangerine ˌtændʒ ə ˈriːm ˌtænʒ ə ˈriːm
5. tasteful ˈteɪst fʊl ˈteɪs fʊl
6. kindness ˈkaɪnd nəs ˈkaɪn nəs
7. awaken ə 'weɪk ən ə 'weɪk n
b. Listen to the words on the cassette. For each word circle the appropriate transcription in
a. above.
A sound which can be elided is shown in the dictionary in italics:
French, f~ frentʃ
plunge plʌndʒ
stamped stæmpt
tangerine, T~ ˌtændʒ ə ˈriːm
tasteful ˈteɪst fəl
kindness ˈkaɪnd nəs
awaken ə 'weɪk ən
EXERCISE 24
AIM: To understand the marking of elision in the dictionary.
The dictionary entries below show that elision may take place in these words. Look at the
transcriptions next to the entries. For each one, mark whether the word is given in full (F) or with
elision (E). The first one is done for you.
1. launch lɔːntʃ lɔːntʃ F
2. arrange ə ˈreɪndʒ ə ˈreɪnʒ
3. pumped pʌmpt pʌmt
4. minx mɪŋks mɪŋks
5. token ˈtəʊk ən ‖ ˈtəʊk ən
6. cold|ly ˈkəʊld|li -ˈkɒʊld- ‖ˈkoʊld- ~ness nəs nɪs ˈkəʊld nəs
EXERCISES 25-26
AIM: To understand the conditions in which elision of consonants takes place, and so to
predict when elision may take place. To say and transcribe full and elided forms.
Elision of consonants
Within a syllable:
t may be elided in ntʃ e.g. lunch lʌntʃ, lʌnʃ
d may be elided in ndʒ e.g. strange streɪndʒ, streɪnʒ
p may be elided in mps, mpt e.g. jumped dʒʌmpt, dʒʌmt
t may be elided in nts e.g. contents ˈkɒn tents, ˈkɒn tens
k may be elided in ŋks, ŋkt e.g. lynx lɪŋks, lɪŋs
18
At the end of a syllable, t and d may be elided before a consonant in the next syllable:
t may be elided in ft, st e.g. firstly 'fɜːst li, 'fɜːs li
and less commonly in pt, kt, tʃt, θt, ʃt
d may be elided in Id, nd e.g. baldness 'bɔːld nəs, 'bɔːl nəs
and less commonly in bd, gd, dʒd, vd, ðd, zd, md, ŋd
EXERCISE 25
Say and transcribe the following words in their full form, and jF'lj with elision. You can
check the pronunciation on the cassette, and the transcription in the key.
in full with elision
1. pinch
2. bandstand
3. camped
4. wistful
5. softness
6. textbook
EXERCISE 26
Four of the following words can exhibit elision. Circle those words.
softly softer customer lounge firstly judged lateness wasteful
There is further discussion of elision in the note ELISION in LPD.
Sounds shown by raised letters: insertion
Insertion of consonants
Some words have an alternative pronunciation in which a consonant is inserted. The inserted sound
is shown by a small, raised letter.
Main pron with insertion
prince, P~ prɪnts prɪns prɪnts (= prints)
triumph n, v, T~ 'traɪ ʌmpf 'traɪ ʌmf 'traɪ ʌmpf
These consonants are only inserted after a nasal sound, when the vocal organs are not precisely
synchronised in their movement from the position for the nasal to the position for the following oral
sound.
EXERCISE 27
AIM: TO IDENTIFY WHETHER A SOUND HAS BEEN INSERTED, WHEN YOU HEAR A WORD.
The dictionary entries below show that the words are sometimes pronounced with an inserted
sound. Listen to the words on the cassette, and transcribe the pronunciations you hear.
1. fence fents .....fents....
2. sentence ˈsent ənts .....ˈsent əns....
3. distanc|e 'dɪst ənts ................
4. mince mɪnts ................
5. triumph n, v, T~ 'traɪ ʌmpf ................
6. acquaintanc|e ə 'kweɪnt ənts ................
7. comf|ort, C~ 'kʌmpf| ət ................
8. emph|asis 'empf|əs ɪs ................
9. assistance ə 'sɪst ənts ................
10.substantial səb'stæntʃəl ................
Insertion of ə
19
This is an alternative to a syllabic consonant, and is dealt with in the section on syllabic consonants
on pages 26-30.
EXERCISE 28
AIM: To apply knowledge of optional sounds in studying a conversation.
The conversation below is recorded on the cassette. You can use it as you choose. Three different
approaches are suggested.
Suggestion 1. Before you listen, read the conversation and underline the words in which elision
or insertion are possible. Use Key A to check what you have marked.
Then listen to the conversation on the cassette to see how the speakers pronounce these
words; circle those which have undergone elision or insertion. Use Key B to check.
Suggestion 2. Listen to the conversation, with the book closed, and transcribe it. You can use
Key B to check your transcription.
Suggestion 3. When you have listened to the conversation, (and followed suggestion 1 or 2).
practise saying the conversation. Record yourself, and compare your version with the one on the
cassette.
A: I've just had my lounge decorated. It hadn't been done since I moved in.
B: What colour is it?
A: It's called French Blush.
B: Very tasteful, I'm sure, but it doesn't convey anything.
A: Well, on the chart it looked lovely - a sort of pale tangerine colour.
B: That sounds nice. The lounge faces north, doesn't it, and a tangerine glow would take away the
coldness.
A: That's just what I thought: elegant but comfortable. But actually it's more like orange. It's
cheerful - but not very restful.
6 Syllabic consonants
1 Most syllables contain a vowel sound. Sometimes, though, a syllable consists only of a consonant
(or consonants). If so, this consonant (or one of them) is a nasal (usually n) or liquid (l or,
especially in AmE, r). For example, in the usual pronunciation of suddenly 'sʌd n li, the second
syllable consists of n alone. Such a consonant is called a syllabic consonant.
2 Instead of a syllabic consonant it is always possible to pronounce a vowel ə plus an ordinary (non-syllabic) consonant. Thus it is possible, though not usual, to say 'sʌd ən li rather than 'sʌd n li.
EXERCISE 29
AIM: To recognise syllables containing a syllabic consonant or vowel + consonant, when
you hear and see them.
a. The words below all have a main pronunciation with a syllabic consonant. Listen to the
cassette: each word is spoken twice, first with a syllabic consonant, and then with a vowel +
consonant.
syllabic consonant vowel + consonant
1. suddenly 'sʌd n li 'sʌd ən li
2. Britain 'brɪt n 'brɪt ən
3. frightening 'fraɪt n ɪŋ 'fraɪt ən ɪŋ
4. hidden 'hɪd n 'hɪd ən
5. medal 'med l 'med əl
6. needlework 'niːd l wɜːk 'niːd əl wɜːk
7. cattle 'kæt l 'kæt əl
8. petals 'pet lz 'pet əlz
9. panel 'pæn l 'pæn əl
10.softener 'sɒf n ə 'sɒf ən ə
20
11.station 'steɪ ʃn 'steɪ ʃən
12.fastened 'fɑːs nd 'fɑːs ənd
b. Listen to the words on the cassette. For each word, circle the appropriate transcription
in a. above.
EXERCISE 30
AIM: To recognise contexts in which syllabic consonants are likely. To identify and
transcribe syllables containing a syllabic consonant or vowel + consonant, when you hear
words.
a. Look at the text below. Underline words which are likely to contain syllabic consonants. Use
Key A to check the words you have underlined.
b. Listen to the text on the cassette and notice how the speaker pronounces each word
you have underlined: does it have a syllabic consonant? Transcribe these words as spoken on the
cassette. Use Key B to check.
GOLDEN OLDIES –
the most popular songs chosen by radio listeners:
The Battle of New Orleans
Wooden Heart
Beautiful Dreamer
I Beg your Pardon (I never promised you a rose garden)
The Tunnel of Love
Sentimental Journey
Suddenly it's Spring
Congratulations
3 Likely syllabic consonants arc shown in LPD with the symbol ə, thus suddenly 'sʌd ən li. LPD's
regular principle is that a raised symbol indicates a sound whose insertion LPD does not recommend
(see OPTIONAL SOUNDS). Hence this notation implies that LPD prefers bare n in the second syllable.
Since there is then no proper vowel in this syllabic, the n must be syllabic.
4 Similarly, in middle 'mɪd əl LPD recommends a pronunciation with syllabic l, thus 'mɪd l. In father
'fɑːð ə‖'fɑːð ər LPD recommends for AmE a pronunciation with syllabic r. thus 'fɑːð r.
5 The IPA provides a special diacritic to show a syllabic consonant, thus n̞. 'sʌdn̞li. For AmE syllabic
r, the symbol ɚ is sometimes used, thus 'fɑːðɚ. Because LPD uses spaces to show syllabification, it
does not need these conventions. Any nasal or liquid in a syllable in which there is no other vowel
must automatically be syllabic.
Since it is always possible to insert ə in a word with a syllabic consonant, words containing syllabic
consonants in the dictionary are all shown with ə, as shown in the following entries.
sudden 'sʌd ən ~ly li
Britain 'brɪt ən
frighten 'fraɪt ən ~ing/ly ⌣ɪŋ/li
hidden 'hɪd ən
medal 'med əI
needlework 'niːd əl wɜːk
cattle 'kæt əl ‖'kat̼əl
petal 'pet əl ‖'pet̼əl ~ed, ~led d ~s z
panel 'pæn əI
softener 'sɒfən⌣ə
21
station 'steɪʃ ən
fasten 'fɑːsən †'fæs- ‖'fæsən ~ed d
What is the difference between ən and ən?
Remember the conventions used in the dictionary:
- an italic letter shows a sound which is sometimes elided. The main pronunciation - which foreign
learners are recommended to use - includes the sound. So for
distant 'dɪst ənt
the recommended pronunciation is 'dɪst ənt.
- a raised letter shows a sound which is sometimes inserted. The main pronunciation does not
include this sound. So for
button, B~ 'bʌt ən
the recommended pronunciation is 'bʌt n.
EXERCISE 31
AIM: To interpret the symbols ə and ə quickly and correctly.
In some of the following words, the recommended pronunciation has a syllabic consonant. In
others, the recommended pronunciation has a syllable with ə. Look up each word in the dictionary;
then transcribe its recommended pronunciation. The first one is done for you.
1. absent ...ˈæb snt......
2. beckon .................
3. current .................
4. cycle .................
5. Pamela .................
6. paragon .................
7. servant .................
8. similar .................
9. traveller .................
10.vacant .................
7 Compression
1 Sometimes a sequence of sounds in English has two possible pronunciations: either as two
separate syllables, or compressed into a single syllable. Possible compressions are shown in LPD by
the symbol ⌣ between the syllables affected.
E.g. lenient ˈliːn i⌣ənt Two pronunciations are possible: a slower one ˈliːn i ənt, and a faster
one ˈliːn jənt
diagram ˈdaɪ⌣ə græm Two pronunciations are possible: a slower one ˈdaɪ ə græm, and a faster
one ˈdaə græm.
maddening ˈmæd ən⌣ɪŋ Two pronunciations are possible: a slower one with three syllables, ˈmæd
n ɪŋ or ˈmæd ən ɪŋ and a faster one with two syllables, ˈmæd nɪŋ.
2 Generally the uncompressed version is more usual
• in rarer words
• in slow or deliberate speech
• the first time the word occurs in a discourse.
The compressed pronunciation is more usual
• in frequently-used words
• in fast or casual speech
22
• if the word has already been used in the discourse.
Compression involving a consonant
Compression causes a possible syllabic consonant to become a plain non-syllabic consonant.
A frequent context for compression is when -ing is added to a verb ending with a syllabic consonant.
The inflected form often appears in the dictionary under the verb, with the ending shown separately.
This represents an entry battling bæt el⌣ɪŋ which can be pronounced with three syllables or two
syllables.
EXERCISE 32
AIM: To check your understanding of the conventions shown above.
Say and transcribe the pronunciations of battling with three syllables and two syllables.
You can check the pronunciations on the cassette, and the transcriptions in the key.
EXERCISE 33
AIM: To recognise whether a word has undergone compression when you hear the word.
Listen to the words below, on the cassette. For each one, decide if it is pronounced with
three syllables, i.e. has a syllabic consonant in the middle, or if it is pronounced with two syllables,
i.e. has undergone compression. Write how many syllables you hear. The first two are done for you.
1. maddening .3.. 5. cycling ....
2. battling .2.. 6. reckoning ....
3. flattening .... 7. threatening ....
4. sprinkling .... 8. trickling ....
EXERCISE 34
AIM: To transcribe words containing a syllabic consonant plus suffix, showing whether the syllabic
consonant has undergone compression.
Transcribe the words on the cassette in exercise 33, making sure you show whether there is a
syllabic consonant or whether it has undergone compression.
EXERCISE 35
AIM: To use the dfctlonary to check whether compression can take place.
The following words all have a main pronunciation with three syllables. In some of the words,
compression sometimes takes place and they are pronounced with two syllables.
finally traveller carefully globally lengthening normally nursery sampling summarise
totally tunnelling
Look up each word in the dictionary and check whether it is marked for compression. Complete the
table on the next page. The first two are done for you.
Words with no compression:
always three syllables
e.g. finally ˈfaɪn əl i
Words with compression:
can be two syllables
e.g. traveller ˈtræv əl⌣ə
ˈfaɪn əl i
ˈtræv lə
23
Compression involving a vowel
Where compression is marked between vowels, the two vowels can be compressed into one syllable.
The details of the phonetic changes possible are given in the LPD note: COMPRESSION, para. 7.
EXERCISE 36
AIM: To recognise full and compressed forms when you hear and see them.
a. The words below can all undergo compression. Listen to the cassette: each word is spoken
twice, first in full and then with two syllables compressed into one.
full with compression
1. obvious ˈɒb vi⌣əs ˈɒb vi əs ˈɒb vjəs
2. bicentennial ˌbaɪ sen ˈten i⌣əl ˌbaɪ sen ˈten I əl ˌbaɪ sen ˈten jəl
3. studious ˈstjuːd i⌣əs ˈstjuːd I əs ˈstjuːd jəs
4. usual ˈjuːʒ u⌣əl ˈjuːʒ u əl ˈjuːʒ wəl
5. material mə ˈtɪər i⌣əl mə ˈtɪər I əl mə ˈtɪər jəl
6. diagram ˈdaɪ⌣ə græm ˈdaɪ ə græm ˈdaə græm
b. Listen to the words on the cassette. For each word, circle the appropriate transcription
in a. above.
EXERCISE 37
AIM: To identify whether words have undergone compression when you hear them.
The words below can all undergo compression. Listen to them on the cassette, and write F
for full, or C for compressed. The first two are done for you.
1. cafeteria F
2. diabetes C
3. previous
4. proprietor
5. fastidious
6. affluent
7. residual
8. obedient
9. curious
EXERCISE 38
AIM: To recognise syllabic consonants and compression in a conversation.
Listen to the conversation on the cassette. Can you find the following?
Eight words with syllabic consonants.
Two words with compression involving a consonant.
Five words with compression involving vowels.
A: These plants haven't flowered at all this year. I bought them from a reputable company, but I
think they must be rotten.
B: This label says they are biennials.
A: So they ought to flower twice a year.
B: No, those are biannuals. Biennial plants only flower every other year. Your plants obviously aren't
flowering because this is the first year.
A: I thought a biennial was a sort of two-hundred year anniversary. 1989 was the biennial of the
French Revolution, and there was a great celebration in Paris.
B: No, you are thinking of bicentennial.
A: Oh, the advantages of a classical education!
24
Part B: stress in words and phrases
This part of the book deals with the marking of stress in words and phrases. It begins with an
introductory case study, focussing on one very specific use of stress patterns in words, before going
on to look at the full range of stress patterns and marking. Stress is discussed in LPD in the
Introduction 3:3, and the note STRESS.
8 Pairs of words with different stress
A number of English words have the same spelling for a noun or adjective and a verb. There is
a group of these two-syllable words where the noun/adjective is stressed on the first syllable, and
the verb on the second.
e.g. a record ˈre kɔːd to record rɪ ˈkɔːd
perfect ˈpəːf ɪkt to perfect pəːˈfekt
EXERCISE 39
AIM: To stress nouns and verbs correctly.
Fill the gaps in the sentences below. The words you need are listed under the sentences. Mark
the stressed syllable of each word.
1. There has been a big ..ˈincrease.. in the number of students applying to this college.
2. As a Red-Cross volunteer, she sometimes has to .................. disabled people travelling across
London.
3. A recent .................. showed that 98% of households have colour television.
4. The council are going to .................. the High Street into a pedestrian shopping centre.
5. The winning song in the Eurovision Song .................. is usually pretty dull.
6. A gesture which is friendly in one country may be a deadly .................. in another country.
contest convert escort increase insult survey
EXERCISE 40
AIM: A. To use the dictionary to check stress patterns.
B. To stress nouns and verbs correctly.
a. The words below can all be a noun and a verb. For some of them the noun and verb have
different stress (like 'record'). For others, the noun and verb have the same stress. Underline the
words which you think have different stress for the noun and verb. Use the dictionary to check your
choice.
answer contrast offer present reject reply transport
b. Use each underlined word in two sentences, once as a noun and once as a verb. Make sure you
say the words with the correct stress.
Vowels in unstressed syllables
In some Noun-Verb pairs, the vowel in the first syllable is different in the noun and the verb.
e.g. ˈre kɔːd rɪ ˈkɔːd
In other pairs, the vowel is the same. e.g. ˈɪn sʌlt ɪn ˈsʌlt
EXERCISE 41
AIM: To use the dictionary to check pronunciation.
Use the dictionary to check the vowel in the first syllable of the words underlined below. Write the
word and mark the stressed syllable.
1a. There has been a decrease in the birth rate. ..ˈdiː kriːs......
25
1b. The number of members is expected to decrease. ............
2a. His business interests conflict with his public duty. ............
2b. The border dispute may lead to armed conflict between the two countries. ............
3a. The President had an armed escort. ............
3b. The receptionist will escort visitors to the meeting room. ............
4a. Taxes are not expected to increase. ............
4b. The average increase in earnings last year was 6%. ............
5a. I cannot permit such behaviour. ............
5b. Have you got a permit for that gun? ............
6a. I'm going to protest. ............
6b. There will be a storm of protest. ............
7a. The rebels in the hiils will never surrender. ............
7b. Every child rebels against authority at some stage. ............
EXERCISE 42
AIM: Further practice with stress and pronunciation in pairs of words.
Can you solve the following clues? In each pair of clues, the words referred to have the same
spelling, but different stress. Write the spelling, and the pronunciation corresponding to each
meaning. The first one is done for you.
1. give sympathy and comfort
a keyboard, panel of switches
console kən ˈsəʊl
ˈkɒn səʊl
2. decline to do something
rubbish
3. get smaller
a formal legal agreement
4. happy, satisfied
what is contained in something
5. pull out
a short passage from a longer text
6. disagree, protest
a thing
7. very small
sixty seconds
8. go away from, leave
a place where nothing grows
If you are stuck, choose from the words in Key A. The full answers are given in Key B.
Stress on the first syllable of nouns
This is a productive pattern, and frequently appears in new words, particularly those formed from
phrasal verbs, e.g. ˈɪn pʊt 'teɪk ɒf
EXERCISE 43
AIM: To practise stress on the first syllable of nouns.
Can you identify the nouns defined below? They are all related to phrasal verbs. When you say
the nouns, make sure the first syllable is stressed.
1. an armed bank raid ..a hold-up...
2. a burglary ..............
3. an appearance by a star who had retired ..............
4. a sudden strike ..............
5. a cinematic device where the film switches to an earlier period ..............
6. a sudden period of heavy rain ..............
7. a mechanical (and, metaphorically, other) failure ..............
26
8. a ten second period immediately before the departure of a rocket ..............
9. the moment of departure of a rocket ..............
10. (initial) expenditure on a particular project ..............
If you are stuck, choose from the nouns listed below.
breakdown break-in comeback countdown downpour flashback hold-up lift-off outlay
walkout
9 Stress marking
The stresses marked in the dictionary are lexical ( = underlying = potential) stresses; the marking
shows how the word is stressed when it is spoken in isolation, and which syllables can be accented
in connected speech.
EXERCISE 44
AIM: To recognise the stressed syllable when you hear a word. To use the primary stress mark ˈ correctly
in a word with one stressed syllable.
The extract below comes from Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell. Orwell
is describing his experience as a tramp in London in the 1930’s. Listen to the extract on the
cassette. Mark the stressed syllable in the words underlined. The first two are done for you.
I stayed in the streets till late at night, ˈkeeping on the move all the time. Dressed as I was, I was
half aˈfraid that the police might arrest me as a vagabond, and I dared not speak to anyone,
imagining that they must notice a disparity between my accent and my clothes. (Later I discovered
that this never happened.) My new clothes had put me instantly into a new world. Everyone's
demeanour seemed to have changed abruptly. I helped a hawker pick up a barrow that he had
upset. “Thanks, mate,” he said with a grin. No one had called me mate before in my life – it was the
clothes that had done it. For the first time I noticed, too, how the attitude of women varies with a
man's clothes. When a badly dressed man passes them they shudder away from him with a quite
frank movement of disgust, as though he were a dead cat. Clothes are powerful things. Dressed in a
tramp's clothes it is very difficult, at any rate for the first day, not to feel that you are genuinely
degraded. You might feel the same shame, irrational but very real, your first night in prison.
EXERCISE 45
AIM: To use the primary stress mark ˈ correctly in a word with one stressed syllable.
Each of these definitions refers to a word in the dictionary extract below and on the next page.
Find the appropriate word, and write its transcription, with the stress marked. The first one is done
for you.
1. a business that makes its money esp. by bringing people into touch with others or the products of
others ..ˈeɪʤ əns i.....
2. a list of subjects to be dealt with or talked about at a meeting .................
3. to make (a difficult situation) more serious or dangerous; make worse .................
4. a person whose job is to represent another person, a company, etc. esp. one who brings people
into touch with others or deals with the business affairs of a person or company .................
5. derog always ready to quarrel or attack .................
6. BrE sl trouble, esp. fighting, eg between groups of young people .................
7. an ................. language: one in which words are formed by agglutination
8. able to move quickly and easily .................
9. noun usu. derog increase in size, power or rank, esp. when intentionally planned .................
agenc|y ˈeɪʤ əns |i ~ies iz
agenda ə ˈʤend ə ~s z
agene ˈeɪʤ iːn
agent ˈeɪʤ ənt ~s s —see also phrases with this word
agent provocateur ˌæʒ ɒ̃ prə ◦vɒk ə ˈtɜː ˌeɪʤ ənt- ‖ˌɑːʒɑ̃ː proʊˌvɑːk əˈtɝː -ˈtʊər
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−Fr [a ʒɑ̃ pʁɔ vɔ ka tœːʁ] agents provocateur same pronunciation, or -z
agentive ˈeɪʤ ənt ɪv
age-old ˌeɪʤ ˈəʊld ◀ →-ˈɒʊld ‖ -ˈoʊld ◀
-ageous 'eidjas —This suffix may impose rhythmic stress on the preceding stem
(ˌadvanˈtageous).
ageratum ˌæʤ ə ˈreɪt əm -ˈreɪt̼- ~s z
Agfa tdmk ˈæg fə
Agg æg
Aggett ˈæg ɪt -ət
Aggie ˈæg ɪ
aggiornamento ə ˌʤɔːn ə ˈment əʊ ˌæ- ‖ə ˌʤɔːrn ə ˈment oʊ − It [ad ˈʤor na ˈmen to]
agglome|rate v ə ˈglom ə |reɪt ‖ə ˈglɑːm- ~rated reɪt ɪd -əd ‖ reɪt̼əd ~rates reɪts ~rating reɪt ɪŋ
‖ reɪt̼ɪŋ
agglomerate adj, n ə ˌglɒm ər ət -ɪt, -ə reɪt ‖ə ˌglɑːm- ~s s
agglomeration ə ˌglɒm ə ˈreɪʃ ən ‖ə ˌglɑːm- ~s z
aggluti|nate v ə ˈgluːt ɪ |neɪt -ə- ‖ -ə|n eɪt ~nated neɪt ɪd -əd ‖ neɪt̼əd ~nates neɪts ~nating neɪt
ɪŋ ‖ neɪt̼ɪŋ
agglutinate adj, n ə ˈgluːt ɪn ət -ən-, -ɪt; -ɪ neɪt, -ə- ‖ -ən- ~s s
agglutination ə ˌgluːt ɪ ˈneɪʃ ən -ə- ‖ -ən ˈeɪʃ-
agglutinative ə ˈgluːt ɪn ət ɪv ‧ˈ‧ən-; -ɪ neɪt-, -ə neɪt-, -ən eɪt- | -ən eɪt̼ɪv -ən ət̼ɪv ~ly li
aggrandis... —see aggrandiz...
aggrandiz|e ə ˈgrænd aɪz ˈæg rən daɪz ~ed d ~es ɪz əz ~ing ɪŋ
aggrandizement ə ˈgrænd ɪz mənt -əz-, -aɪz-
aggra|vate ˈæg rə |veɪt ~vated veɪt ɪd -əd ‖ veɪt̼əd ~vates veɪts ~vating/ly veɪt ɪŋ /li ‖ veɪt̼ɪŋ /li
aggravation ˌæg rə ˈveɪʃ ən ~s z
aggregate adj, n ˈæg rɪg ət -rəg-, ɪt; -rɪ geɪt, -rə- ~s s
aggre|gate v ˈæg rɪ |geɪt -rə- ~gated geɪt ɪd -əd ‖ geɪt̼əd ~gates geɪts ~gating geɪt ɪŋ ‖ geɪt̼ɪŋ
aggregation ˌæg rɪ ˈgeɪʃ ən -rə- ~s z
aggression ə ˈgreʃ ən
aggressive ə ˈgres ɪv ~ly li ~ness nəs nɪs
aggressor ə ˈgres ə ‖ -ər ~s z
aggrieved ə ˈgriːvd
aggro ˈæg rəʊ ‖ -roʊ
Agha- comb. form in Irish place names ˈˌæx ə —Aghacully ˌæx ə ˈkʌl i
aghast ə ˈgɑːst -ˈgæst ‖əˈgæst
agile ˈæʤaɪəl ‖ -əl -aɪəl (not ‧'‧) ~ly li ~ness nəs nɪs
Secondary + primary stress
When the primary stress in longer words occurs late in the word, there is a secondary stress on
the first or second syllable.
EXERCISE 46
AIM: To recognise secondary and primary stress when you hear a word. To mark secondary and primary
stress.
Listen to these words on the cassette. Mark the secondary and primary stress, as in the
example on page 43.
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1. anniversary 6. mortification
2. definition 7. proclamation
3. epicurean 8. regeneration
4. mediocrity 9. valediction
5. metaphysical
Use the words above to fill the gaps below. Say the titles.
The ...................... Poets
A selection of poems
...................... in love rejected Thomas Carew
A ......................: forbidding mourning John Donne
The ...................... John Donne
An Ode upon his Majestie's ...................... Sir Richard Fanshawe
An ...................... Ode John Hail
...................... George Herbert
The ...................... of Love Ancirew Marvell
...................... Henry Vaughan
EXERCISE 47
AIM: To mark secondary and primary stress.
The following words each have two stressed syllables, with the later stressed syllable carrying the
primary stress. Mark the two stressed syllables. You can look the words up in the dictionary to
check. The first one is done for you.
1. ˌsabbaˈtarian 5. Sagittarius
2. sacramental 6. Salamanca
3. sacrificial 7. Salieri
4. sacrilegious 8. salmonella
Some words have a secondary stress marked in brackets e.g. (ˌ)San ˈRemo
This means that some speakers put a secondary stress on the first syllable:
ˌSan ˈRemo and others do not stress it: San ˈRemo
Tertiary stress - after primary stress
In multi-syllabic words, there is sometimes a rhythmic beat on a syllable after the primary
stress. This syllable is not usually accented when the word is in a sentence. It is marked ◦ and
referred to as tertiary stress.
EXERCISE 48
AIM: To recognise tertiary stress after the primary stress when you hear a word. To mark primary and
tertiary stress.
Listen to the following words and phrases on the cassette. Each has two stressed syllables,
with the earlier stressed syllable carrying the primary stress. Mark the stressed syllables, as in the
example on page 45. The first one is done for you.
1. ˈrain◦forest 8. obstructionism
2. octosyllable 9. officeholder
3. revisionism 10. estate agent
4. caretaker 11. record library
5. castaway 12. Oedipus complex
6. undercarriage 13. uncertainty principle
7. upbringing
EXERCISE 49
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AIM: To distinguish between: primary stress + tertiary stress e.g. ˈsuper◦market
secondary stress + primary stress e.g. ˌsuper ˈsonic
Look up the following items in the dictionary and check the stress. Mark the stress.
1. safebreaker 4. safekeeping
2. safe-conduct 5. safety curtain
3. safe-deposit 6. safety-first
Tertiary stress - between secondary and primary stress
There is another context in which tertiary stress occurs. Words with secondary and primary
stress sometimes have a rhythmic beat between the secondary and primary stress. This is marked ◦
and referred to as tertiary stress.
EXERCISE 50
AIM: To recognise primary, secondary and tertiary stress when you hear words. To mark primary,
secondary and tertiary stress.
Listen to the following words and phrases on the cassette. Each has three stressed
syllables, with the last stressed syllable carrying the primary stress. Mark the secondary, tertiary
and primary stress in these words and phrases. The first one is done for you.
1. ˌco◦eduˈcation 5. Received pronunciation
2. intercontinental 6. co-efficient of friction
3. sadomasochistic 7. occupational therapy
4. valetudinarian
EXERCISE 51
AIM: To recognise stress patterns of words when you hear them (mixed patterns).
Listen to the following words on the cassette. Mark the stress.
1. tyrannicide 6. adolescence
2. indivisibility 7. sacrosanct
3. sacrificial 8. intellectual
4. caretaker 9. unconventionality
5. liberator 10. capitalism
EXERCISE 52
AIM: To use the dictionary to check stress patterns.
a. Mark what you think is the stress pattern on the following words.
b. Then look each word up, and check if your stress marking is correct. Write the correct stress
marking, if necessary.
Your stress marking Correct stress marking
1. habilitate habilitate
2. habilitation habilitation
3. habit habit
4. habitability habitability
5. habitat habitat
6. habitation habitation
7. habit-forming habit-forming
EXERCISE 53
AIM: To use the dictionary to check stress patterns.
a. Mark what you think is the stress pattern on the following words.
b. Then look each word up, and check if your stress marking is correct. Write the correct stress
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marking, if necessary.
Your stress marking Correct stress marking
1. daredevil daredevil
2. deactivate deactivate
3. deputation deputation
4. deputy deputy
5. deregulation deregulation
6. derelict derelict
7. dermatitis dermatitis
8. derogatory derogatory
9. desecrate desecrate
10. discrimination discrimination
11. dishonest dishonest
12. dishwater dishwater
10 Stress shift
Some words seem to change their stress pattern in connected speech; the position of the stress is
shifted when the word is followed in a phrase by a more strongly stressed word. Words which are
likely to undergo stress shift are marked ◀ in the dictionary.
middle-aged ˌmɪd əl ˈeɪʤd ◀ˌmiddle-aged ˈspread
This means that in isolation, middle-aged has primary stress on ‘aged’. So in the sentence:
Most Daily Telegraph readers are middle-aged.
‘aged’ is more prominent than ‘middle’.
But in the phrase middle-aged spread, with primary stress on the noun ‘spread’, it is ‘middle’ and
not ‘aged’ that carries the secondary stress: i.e. ‘middle’ is more prominent than ‘aged’.
EXERCISES 54-58
AIM: To recognise, mark and pronounce words which undergo stress shift.
EXERCISE 54
Listen to the example on the cassette. Notice the stress shift.
arrangements made at the last minute
last minute arrangements
The phrases below can all be transformed in a similar way. Transform each phrase. Mark the
secondary and primary stress. The first one is done for you.
1. arrangements made at the last minute ˌlast-minute arˈrangements
2. a map drawn to a large scale
3. surgery performed on the open heart
4. a personality which is laid-back
5. a potato-peeler designed for people who are left-handed
6. a letter which is misspelt
7. a person's youth which was misspent
EXERCISE 55
In words of four or more syllables, when stress is shifted, the original primary stress still
carries a rhythmic beat; this tertiary stress is marked ◦.
e.g. atmospheric atmospheric pressure
ˌæt məs ˈfer ɪk ˌæt məs ◦fer ɪk ˈpreʃ ə
A similar process may take place in the words and phrases below. Say and mark the stress in the
word in isolation, and the phrase containing the word:
1a. audio-visual b. audio-visual aids
2a. automatic b. automatic pilot
3a. occupational b. occupational therapy
4a. operational b. operational research
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5a. radioactive b. radioactive decay
EXERCISE 56
The phrases below are all given in the dictionary as examples of a phrase in which the first
element is likely to undergo stress shift. Each phrase could be expressed in a longer form, with a
relative clause:
e.g. next-door neighbours = neighbours who live next door.
Listen to the example on the cassette, and notice the difference in stress when 'next-door' is in final
position:
ˌnext-door ˈneighbours = neighbours who live ˌnext ˈdoor
Express each of the phrases below in a similar way. When you say the two versions, be careful to
stress correctly the element in final position.
1. trumped-up charges charges which are trumped up
2. the mid-day sun
3. an undercover agent
4. unearned income
5. a middle-aged man
6. cast-iron railings
7. a crazy mixed-up kid
EXERCISE 57
Say the following pairs of sentences.
1. Don't go out at mid-day.
Don't go out in the mid-day sun.
2. She's always at my right-hand.
She's always on the right-hand side.
3. They're soft-hearted.
They're a soft-hearted couple.
4. I'm going via Panama.
I'm going via the Panama Canal.
5. She was sent overseas.
She was sent on an overseas posting.
6. John's at university.
John's at University College.
7. They're cruising in the Adriatic.
They're cruising in the Adriatic Sea.
8. He's very interested in Latin America.
He's very interested in Latin-American dancing.
9. The underlying rocks are carboniferous.
The underlying rocks are carboniferous limestone.
10. We're going to Oklahoma.
We're going to Oklahoma City.
EXERCISE 58
32
Continue this description of a book, using as many as possible of the words and phrases in Exercises
54 to 57. Compare your version with somebody else’s, or record yourself reading it aloud.
11 Compounds and phrases
Early and late stress
There are many English expressions consisting of two words, or in which two words have been
combined.
e.g. central heating picture frame dishwasher
Some of these have early stress: primary stress is on the first element.
e.g. ˈpicture frame ˈdishwasher
Some have late stress: primary stress is on the second element, e.g. ˌcentral ˈheating
Can you give any guidelines for the placement of the ˈ stress? Write down what you think before you
turn over the page.
Early and late stress: some guidelines
Early stress is usual in:
Compounds in which the two elements are written as one word,
e.g. 'dishwasher, 'blackbird
Expressions consisting of NOUN + NOUN, e.g. 'picture frame
Late stress is usual in:
Expressions consisting of ADJECTIVE + NOUN, e.g. ˌcentral 'heating
Note that a word ending in -ing may operate as a noun
e.g. a 'washing ma◦chine (a machine for doing the washing)
a 'swimming ◦lesson (a lesson in swimming)
OR a present participle, with the force of:
an adjective e.g. a ˌmoving 'story (a story which is moving, emotional)
a verb e.g. ˌmoving 'pictures (pictures which move: hence ‘movies’)
EXERCISES 59-62
AIM: To understand and use guidelines for predicting stress in compounds and phrases.
EXERCISE 59
33
For each of the expressions underlined in the following text, decide whether it has early or late
stress. Write it in the correct column of the table below. The first one is done for you.
I am taking Spanish lessons at the moment. I attend evening classes on Monday evenings at the
local Community Centre. We’ve got an English teacher, and of course her Spanish accent isn’t
perfect, but she understand the problems we have, and we are making progress. Some of us have
formed our own study group, and we meet during the week to practise. One of the members is a
civil engineer whose driving ambition is to go to South America. Another is a driving instructor, who
keeps his grammar book in the car so he can study between lessons. Occasionally he forgets, and
amazes his pupils by giving directions in Spanish.
Early stress
e.g. 'picture frame
Late stress
e.g. ˌcentral 'heating
Spanish lessons
Monday evenings
The text is recorded on the cassette so you can listen to check your answers, before you
compare your version with the key.
EXERCISE 60
Notice the difference in stress:
a 'blackbird = a kind of bird: Turdus merula
a ˌblack 'bird = any bird which is black
Using this pattern, what would you call the tilings defined below? Write the words and mark the
stress.
1a ............... = a teacher of English
b ............... = a teacher who is English
2a ............... = a lightless room for developing photographs
b ............... = a room with not much light in it
3a ............... = a board with a specially treated black surface, traditionally used in classrooms for
writing on with chalk
b ............... = a board painted black
4a ............... = a shelf for keeping glasses on
b ............... = a shelf made of glass
Some expressions, which are grammatically compounds, are nevertheless pronounced with late
stress (= as if they were phrases). There is no firm rule; that is why many compounds and phrases
are listed separately in LPD with their stress patterns.
One group of expressions of this type comprises those where the first element names the material
or ingredient out of which a thing is made.
a ˌrubber ˈduck
ˌpaper ˈplates
ˌcheese ˈsandwiches
ˌapple ˈcrumble
a ˌpork ˈpie
Note, however, that expressions involving cake, juice, water take early stress.
ˈalmond cake
ˈorange juice
ˈbarley ◦water
LPD note: COMPOUNDS & PHRASES: 5
EXERCISE 61
The following items can be divided into two groups. Write each item in the correct group.
apple blossom Late stress
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apple pie
cheese grater rubber duck
cheese sauce
jam jar
jam sandwich
peach brandy Early stress
peach stone
rubber duck rubber plant
rubber plant
salt beef
salt cellar
In names of thoroughfares, note that all take late stress except street, which takes early
stress.
ˌMelrose ˈRoad
ˌLavender ˈCrescent
ˌOxford ˈCircus
ˌKing’s ˈAvenue
but ˈGower Street
LPD note: COMPOUNDS & PHRASES: 6
EXERCISE 62
Below is a list of places which a visitor to London might wish to visit, together with the name of the
nearest Underground station.
a. Mark the stress in the names of the stations. The first one is done for you.
b. Using the underground map, plan a route, visiting all the places listed, in the most efficient
order. Compare your route with someone else’s, or record yourself describing your route; make sure
you stress the stations correctly.
Nearest Underground Station
Tower of London ˌTower ˈHill
National Gallery Charing Cross
Harrods Knightsbridge
West End cinemas & theatres Leicester Square
Madame Tussaud's Baker Street
Statue of Eros Piccadilly Circus
Speakers' Corner Marble Arch
Barbican Centre Moorgate
British Museum Tottenham Court Road
shopping Bond Street, Oxford Circus
LRT Registered User No. 90/1254
The general guidelines on page 52 are very useful, but they do not give a firm rule for all
expressions. That is why many expressions are listed in the dictionary.
35
EXERCISE 63
AIM: To use the dictionary to check the stress pattern of compounds.
a. Mark what you think is the stress pattern in the following compounds.
b. Then look up each compound, and check if your stress marking is correct. Write the correct stress
marking, if necessary.
Your stress marking Correct stress marking
1. takeaway takeaway
2. talcum powder talcum powder
3. tank engine tank engine
4. tonic water tonic water
5. top drawer top drawer
6. touch-type touch-type
7. totem-pole totem-pole
8. trapdoor trapdoor
9. tumbleweed tumbleweed
10. tumble-drier tumble-drier
11. tunnel vision tunnel vision
12. typewriter typewriter
12 Alternative pronunciations with different stress
Some words have alternative pronunciations which differ from the main pronunciation only in
their stress. The alternative stress pattern is shown using blocks to represent syllables.
e.g. codriver ˈkəʊ ◦draɪv ə ▪ˈ▪▪
(The blocks stand for: ˌkəʊ ˈdraɪv ə)
EXERCISES 64-66
AIM: To understand the conventions used to show alternative pronunciations with different stress. To
identify alternative pronunciations when you hear them.
EXERCISE 64
a. Look at the dictionary entries shown below. Listen to the cassette. For each word, the main
and alternative pronunciations are given.
1. absolute ˈæb sə luːt ˌ▪▪ˈ▪
2. backgammon ˈbæk ◦gæm ən ▪ˈ▪▪
3. backpedal, back-pedal ˌbæk ˈped əl ▪◦▪▪
4. caviar, caviare ˈkæv i ɑːˌ▪▪ˈ▪
5. cigarette ˌsɪg ə ˈret ˈ▪▪▪
6. manageress ˌmæn ɪʤ ə ˈres ˈ▪▪▪▪
7. submarine n, adj ˈsʌb mə riːn ˌ▪▪ˈ▪
8. ˌAdam’s ˈapple ‖ˈ▪▪◦▪▪
9. ˌIce ˈcream, ˈ▪▪
10. ˌradio aˈlarm ˈ▪▪▪▪◦▪
b. Listen to the words on the cassette. For each word, circle the appropriate stress pattern
shown in a. above.
EXERCISE 65
The words and phrases below all have an alternative stress pattern given in the dictionary
a. Mark what you think are the main and alternative stress patterns. The first one is done for you.
1. value added tax ˌ▪▪◦▪▪ˈ▪ 8. violin ▪▪▪
2. vaseline ▪▪▪ 9. violinist ▪▪▪▪
3. velveteen ▪▪▪ 10. Virgin Islands ▪▪▪▪
4. verifiable ▪▪▪▪▪ 11. vivisect ▪▪▪
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5. vicereine ▪▪ 12. vocal cords ▪▪▪
6. video cassette ▪▪▪▪▪ 13. voiceover ▪▪▪
7. video cassette recorder ▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪ 14. Voltaire ▪▪
b. Look up the words in the dictionary to check. Correct your marking if necessary.
c. Listen to the sentences below, on the cassette. For each of the words or phrases underlined,
identify whether the stress pattern used is that of the main pronunciation or the alternative. Circle
the correct letter - M for main, or A for alternative. The first one is done for you.
(M)/A M/A
1. Is value added tax charged on video-cassettes?
M/A M/A M/A
2. My neighbour is a violinist. She plays a violin made in the Virgin Islands.
M/A
3. Old leather books can be preserved by treating the surface with vaseline, and wrapping them in
M/A
velveteen.
M/A
4. I was once offered a job doing a voiceover for a television advertisement. The pay was
M/A
marvellous, but I developed an infection of the vocal cords and couldn't do it.
M/A
5. 'Who said that the only meaningful statements are those which are verifiable by sense
M/A
experience?' 'It sounds like Voltaire.'
Some words have alternative pronunciations involving differences in both stress and sounds.
Consider a word with an unstressed syllable containing a weak vowel e.g. the first syllable of
applicable ə ˈplɪk ə bəl
An alternative pronunciation which stresses the first syllable will contain a strong vowel instead of
the weak vowel: æp ˈlɪk ə bəl
EXERCISE 66
a. Can you give two pronunciations of the following words? Say and write what you think.
1. harass ˈhær əs hə ˈræs 6. controversy ...............
2. brochure ............... 7. decade ...............
3. clandestine ............... 8. kilometre ...............
4. communal ............... 9. primarily ...............
5. contribute ............... 10. subsidence ...............
b. Look up the words in the dictionary to check. Notice the stressed syllables and the
vowels which are different. Correct your versions, if necessary. Notice which is the main
pronunciation.
c. Listen to four sentences, which include the words below, on the cassette. For each word,
transcribe the pronunciation you hear, and say whether it is given in the dictionary as the main
(M) or alternative (A) pronunciation. The first one is done for you.
1. brochure ˈbrəʊʃ ə M 6. communal ...............
2. applicable ............... 7. harass ...............
3. primarily ............... 8. controversy ...............
4. subsidence ............... 9. clandestine ...............
5. decade ............... 10. contributed ...............
13 Suffixes
EXERCISE 67
AIM: To consider stress in words with suffixes.
a. Add a suffix to each of the words below to form an abstract noun. Mark the stress in the
original word and the related noun. Does the stress change when the suffix is added? Write 'Yes' if it
does, and 'No' if it doesn't.
1. ˈregular ˌreguˈlarity Yes
37
2. inform
3. entertain
4. electric
5. careless
b. Add a suffix to each of the words below to form an adjective. Mark the stress in the original
word and the related adjective. Does the stress change when the suffix is added?
1. plenty
2. photograph
3. beauty
4. value
5. Japan
c. Look at the words in a. and b. where the stress changes with the addition of a suffix. You will see
that in some cases, the stress falls on the suffix; in others, it has moved to a different syllable of the
stem.
We can identify three types of suffix, from the point of view of stress:
Stress-neutral suffix – the suffix does not affect the location of stress in the stem to which it is
attached.
e.g. -ful 'beauty 'beautiful
Stress-imposing suffix - the suffix causes the stress to fall on a particular syllable of the stem.
e.g. -ion: stress always falls on the syllable before the suffix
ˈfashion eˈmotion ˌinforˈmation
Stressed suffix - the suffix itself is stressed, e.g. -ese ˌJapan'ese
EXERCISE 68
AIM: To identify types of suffix.
a. Each of the groups of words below contains:
1. a stress-neutral suffix SN
2. a stress-imposing suffix SI
3. a stressed suffix S
But they are not in the same order in every group.
In each group, mark which words contain which type of suffix. The first one is done for you.
'climate cliˈmatic 2. SI
A. 'Portugal ˌPortuˈguese 3. S
'poison ˈpoisonous 1. SN
launder launderette
B. comfort comfortable
period periodical
punctual punctuality
C. wide widen
mountain mountaineer
cigar cigarette
D. economy economic
sympathy sympathise
punish punishment
E. picture picturesque
proverb proverbial
b. Use the suffixes in the words in a. to complete the table below, writing suffixes into the
correct column. The first three are done for you.
Stress-neutral Stress-imposing Stressed
-ous
-ic -ese
Dictionary entries for suffixes show which type of suffix they are, with an example.
e.g. stress-neutral suffix:
-ous əs − hazardous ˈhæz əd əs ‖ -ərd- carnivorous kɑːˈnɪv ər⌣əs ‖ kɑːr-
stress-imposing suffix:
-ic stress-imposing ɪk − periodic ˌpɪər i ˈɒd ɪk ◀‖ˌpɪr i ˈɑːd ɪk◀
38
stressed suffix:
-ese ˈiːz ‖ -ˈiːs − journalese ˌʤɜːn ə ˈliːz ◀ˌʤɝːn- -ˈliːs ◀ Japanese ˌʤæp ə ˈniːz ◀
EXERCISE 69
AIM: To remember how suffixes affect stress.
a. Make up sentences or little texts using the words in exercise 68 and other words with these
suffixes.
e.g. I sympathise with mountaineers who meet with terribie climatic conditions.
Record yourself saying the sentences, with the correct stress. Use the sentences for reference.
b. As you come across other suffixes, use the table in exercise 68 b to keep a record of them. Make
up sentences for those suffixes too.
Part C: aspects of pronunciation in the dictionary
14 American pronunciation
2.3 American pronunciation. The AmE pronunciations shown in LPD are those appropriate to the
variety (accent) known as General American. This is what is spoken by the majority of Americans,
namely those who do not have a noticeable eastern or southern accent. It is the appropriate
pronunciation for EFL learners who take AmE as their model, rather than BrE.
American pronunciation is discussed further in LPD INTRODUCTION 2.3, 3.1 and 3.2.
EXERCISES 70-75
AIM: To be able to predict some differences in pronunciation between RP and GenAm.
Some differences between RP and GenAm:
1. In GenAm, where there is an r in the spelling, it is always pronounced:
bird, Bird bɜːd ‖ bɝːd
cart kɑːt ‖ kɑːrt
teacher, T~ ˈtiːtʃ ə ‖ -ər
EXERCISE 70
Give the American pronunciations of the following words:
1. stir .............. 4. larger ..............
2. third .............. 5. barn ..............
3. leader ..............
2. In some words such as 'fast', where RP has ɑː, GenAm (like northern English accents) has æ.
pass pɑːs †pæs ‖ pæs
bath n bɑːθ †bæθ ‖ bæθ
after ˈɑːft ə †ˈæft- ‖ˈæft ər
EXERCISE 71
Give the American pronunciations of the following words:
1. craft ......... 4. banana .........
2. flask ......... 5. past .........
3. laughter .........
Notice that not all RP ɑː sounds are pronounced se in GenAm: fath|er ˈfɑːð |ə‖ -|ər
3. The distribution of back vowels is different. Compare:
RP
ɒ lot odd
ɔː thought law north war
ɑː start father
GenAm (Note that there is considerable variation among speakers of General American, and not all
speakers make all the following distinctions.)
39
ɑː lot odd start father
ɒː thought law (if not a:)
ɔː north war
oː variant of ɔː in force, four
EXERCISE 72
What vowel is used in the following words, in RP ami in GenAm? Write each word alongside the
correct vowel below, for RP and for GenAm.
card cord harm lawn thorn wrong
RP
1. ɒ ...............................
2. ɔː ...............................
3. ɑː ...............................
GenAm
4. ɑː ...............................
5. ɒː ...............................
6. ɔː ...............................
4. For most Americans, ə and ɪ are not distinct as weak vowels (so that rabbit rhymes with abbot).
For American pronunciation, LPD follows the rule of showing ɪ before palato-alveolar and velar
consonants (ʃ ʧ ʒ ʤ k g ŋ), and in prefixes such as re-, e-, de-; but ə elsewhere. Where no
separate indication is given for the American pronunciation, it may be assumed that it has ə or ɪ
according to this rule.
LPD INTRODUCTION 2.3
EXERCISE 73
Which weak vowel, ə or ɪ, is used in American pronunciation in the unstressed syllable of the
following words? Write the correct vowel. The first two are done for you.
ɪ
1. cabbage 3. habit 5. Lenin 7. vanish 9. carriage
ə
2. robin 4. panic 6. wicked 8. arches
5. The RP diphthongs ɪə, eə are replaced in GenAm by pure vowels.
appearancle ə ˈpɪər ənts ‖ə ˈpɪr-
Idea aɪ ˈdɪə ˌaɪ-, †-ˈdiː⌣ə
various ˈveər i⌣əs ‖ˈver i⌣əs ˈvær
In some words, some American speakers do include ə before r; this is shown in the dictionary by ə.
pier pɪə ‖ pɪər
pear peə ‖ peər pæər
EXERCISE 74
a. Transcribe the RP and GenAm pronunciations of the following words.
RP GenAm
1. staring
2. careful
3. dearest
4. experience
5. variation
6. sincerely
b. Listen to the words on the cassette. For each one, circle the appropriate pronunciation
(RP or GenAm) in a. above.
40
6. T-voicing
In GenAm, t can be voiced when it occurs between vowels, at the end of a syllable e.g. shutter ˈʃʌt̼
ər. It may sound identical with d e.g. shudder ˈʃʌd ər. (For a fuller account, see LPD note: T-VOICING.)
EXERCISE 75
In which of these words would the t be voiced in GenAm? Circle the voiced t's. The first one is
done for you.
1. wri(t)ing 3. return 5. softer 7. attack
2. later 4. related 6. attic 8. lightning
EXERCISES 76-77
Quizzes on american pronunciations.
EXERCISE 76
Odd one out.
Consider the GenAm vowel sound in the stressed syllable in the following groups of words. In
each group, one word has a different vowel sound in GenAm from the others. Circle the odd one out.
1. rafter rather rock rod
2. after class father ghastly
3. sordid worthy warden warm
EXERCISE 77
Rhymes quiz.
There once was an old English Lord
Whose views were exceedingly broad.
He said: 'I don't worry
How people say "furry".'
That tolerant old English Lord.
In the following words, find three pairs which rhyme in RP but not in GenAm, and three pairs
which can rhyme in GenAm but not in RP. Fill in the table.
abbot bother clerk court father habit laugh mark nought scarf sorry story
RP rhymes GenAm rhymes
EXERCISE 78
AIM: To study the features of american pronunciation in a spoken text.
The text below is recorded on the cassette, by an American speaker.
Either: Listen to the cassette and transcribe the text. Use the key to check your transcription.
Or: Transcribe the text as you expect it to be spoken by an American speaker. Then listen to
the cassette and/or look at the key and compare what you have written.
The car was a dark blue seven-passenger sedan, a Packard of the latest model, custom-built. It
was the kind of car you wear your rope pearls in. It was parked by a fire-hydrant and a dark foreign-looking chauffeur with a face of carved wood was behind the wheel. The interior was upholstered in
quilted grey chenille. The Indian put me in the back. Sitting there alone I felt like a high-class
corpse, laid out by an undertaker with a lot of good taste.
The Indian got in beside the chauffeur and the car turned in the middle of the block and a cop
across the street said: 'Hey,' weakly, as if he didn't mean it, and then bent down quickly to tie his
shoe.
We went west, dropped over to Sunset and slid fast and noiseless along that. The Indian sat
motionless beside the chauffeur. An occasional whiff of his personality drifted back to me. The driver
looked as if he was half asleep but he passed the fast boys in the convertible sedans as though they
were being towed. They turned on all the green lights for him. Some drivers are like that. He never
missed one.
41
It had been a warm afternoon, but the heat was gone. We whipped past a distant cluster of lighted
buildings and an endless series of lighted mansions, not too close to the road. We dipped down to
skirt a huge green polo field with another equally huge practice field beside it, soared again to the
top of a hill and swung mountainward up a steep hill road of clean concrete that passed orange
groves, some rich man's pet because this is not orange country, and then little by little the lighted
windows of the millionaires' homes were gone and the road narrowed and this was Stillwood
Heights.
Farewell, My Lovely Raymond Chandler (Penguin edition p. 126)
15 Homophones
A number of dictionary entries show a homophone - another word, with a different spelling, which
has the same pronunciation.
write raɪt (= right) bear n, v beə ‖ beər bæər (= bare)
EXERCISE 79
AIM: To use the dictionary marking of homophones as a quick way of checking whether pairs of words
have the same pronunciation.
In the sentences below, some of the pairs of words underlined have the same pronunciation, and
some have different pronunciations. You can check quickly by looking up the first underlined word in
each pair. Mark whether the pronunciations are the same (S) or different (D).
1. The government annalist got so depressed studying the annals that he had to go to an analyst for
treatment. ..S..
2. A Victorian lady who sat in her parlour and shunned the sun took pride in the pallor of her cheeks.
....
3. I've been on a cruise several times, and the crews have all been very efficient. ....
4. They leant on the door so that their sister couldn't go out until she lent them some money. ....
5. The weather which has been becalming the sailing boats is becoming better. ....
6. The baron ruled over hundreds of acres of barren land. ....
7. The assistant who packed the box left out this packet. ....
8. If the clasp of your brooch is too loose, you could easily lose it. ....
9. There are ten canons at Westchester Cathedral, and ten cannons at Westchester Castle. ....
10. A teacher wouldn't lessen my interest in the subject by giving one tedious lesson. ....
16 Abbreviations
Some abbreviations consisting of the initial letters of words are acronyms - the letters are
pronounced as if they are a word:
e.g. SALT sɔːlt sɒlt ‖ sɒːlt sɑːlt (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks)
In others, the letters are pronounced separately:
e.g. VIP ˌviː aɪ ˈpiː (very important person)
Some abbreviations are pronounced in both ways:
e.g. VAT ˌviː eɪ ˈtiː væt (value added tax)
EXERCISE 80
AIM: To use the dictionary to check the pronunciation of abbreviations.
The following items are all commonly abbreviated. Use the dictionary to check whether the initial
letters are pronounced as an acronym or separately; enter the abbreviation in the correct column.
The first two are done for you.
Acronym Separate
letters
1. General Certificate of Secondary Education
2. General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
3. Organisation for Economic Cooperation and
Development
4. Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries
5. Trades Union Congress
6. Universities Central Council on Admissions
GATT gæt
GCSE
42
7. University of California at Los Angeles
8. unilateral declaration of independence
9. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organisation
17 Names of people and places
Slough
Come, friendly bombs, and fall on Slough
It isn't fit for humans now.
There isn't grass to graze a cow
Swarm over. Death!
The town satirised in John Betjeman's poem, and the English county in which it is situated,
Berkshire, both have pronunciations which are difficult to predict from their spelling. The dictionary
contains a large number of names – English names that may present a problem, the English
pronunciation of English names which are commonly used in other languages, the English
pronunciation of foreign names.
EXERCISE 81
Quiz.
Use the dictionary to help you answer the questions.
1. Renault cars are French - how are they pronounced in England, and in the USA?
2. Frances is a woman's name: Francis is a man's name and a surname. Is the pronunciation the
same or different?
3. Eau-de-cologne means literally 'water from Cologne' – but is cologne pronounced the same
way?
4. The University of Essex is at Norwich; the University of Kent is at Canterbury, and the nearest
town to the University of Sussex is Lewes. How are the three places pronounced?
5. Birmingham, England, and Birmingham, Alabama, USA – same or different?
6. Olive's olives: - same or different?
7. 'When I tell English people I come from Valencia, they don't understand me.' How do they
pronounce Valencia?
8. Sir Peter Pears, the singer, and Pears soap - same or different?
9. London: ˈlʌnd n or ˈlʌnd ən?
10. Edward Lear, the poet, and Shakespeare's King Lear - same or different?
11. 'Yes, I remember Adlestrop'
'I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree'
'Albion's most lovely daughter sat on the banks of the Mersey dangling her landing stage in
the water'
These are the first lines of poems by Edward Thomas, W B Yeats, and Adrian Henri
respectively. How are the places, and the poets, pronounced?
18 Assimilation
1. Assimilation is a type of COARTICULATION. lt is the alteration of a speech sound to make it
more similar to its neighbours.
2. The alveolar consonants t, d, n, when they occur at the end of a word or syllabic, can optionally
assimilate to the place of articulation of the consonant at the beginning of the next syllable.
Thus n can become m before p, b, m, as in the examples
ten men ˌten ˈmen → ˌtem ˈmen
downbeat ˈdaʊn biːt → ˈdaʊm biːt
Similarly, n can become ŋ before k,g, as in:
fine grade ˌfaɪn ˈgreɪd → ˌfaiŋ ˈgreɪd
incredible ɪn ˈkred əbəl → ɪŋ ˈkred əbəl
In the same way d can change to b and g respectively, as in
red paint ˌred ˈpeɪnt → ˌreb ˈpeɪnt
admit əd ˈmit → əb ˈmit
43
bad guys ˈbæd gaɪz → ˈbæg gaɪz
It is also possible for t to change to p and k respectively, though a more frequent possibility is for t
to be realized as a GLOTTAL STOP when followed by another consonant:
eight boys ˌeɪt ˈbɔɪz → ˌeɪʔ ˈbɔɪz (ˌeɪp ˈbɔɪz)
Where dictionary entries contain alternative pronunciations which are derived by assimilation, they
are preceded by →, the symbol for a pronunciation derived by rule.
EXERCISE 82
AIM: To predict assimilation of alveolar consonants.
The following words, shown with their main pronunciation, all have an alternative derived by
assimilation. Write the pronunciation with assimilation.
1. cranberr|y ˈkræn bər⌣|i →
2. unbalanc|e ˌʌn ˈbæl ənts →
3. in|put v, n ˈɪn |pʊt →
4. ungrateful ʌn ˈgreɪt fəl →
5. record-break|er/s ˈrek ɔːd ◦breɪk |ə/z †-əd- →
6. midpoint ˈmɪd pɔɪnt →
7. broadcast ˈbrɔːd kɑːst →
8. weedkiller ˈwiːd ◦kɪl ə →
5. Yod coalescence (or coalescent assimilation) is the process which changes t or d plus j into
ʧ or ʤ respectively.
6. Wiibin a word, the status of yod coalescence depends on whether the following vowel is strong or
weak (see WEAK VOWELS).
− Where the vowel is strong, i.e. uː or ʊə, yod coalescence can frequently be heard in BrE, although
it is not considered standard. (In AmE there is usually no j present, so the possibility of assimilation
does not arise.)
tune tjuːn → †ʧuːn
endure ɪn ˈdjʊə → †ɪn ˈʤʊə
− Where the vowel is weak, i.e. u or ə, assimilation is usually variable in RP but obligatory in
GenAm.
factual ˈfækt ju⌣əl → ˈfæk ʧu⌣əl
educate ˈed ju keɪt -jə- → ˈeʤ u keɪt -ə-
LPD note: ASSIMILATION 5 & 6
EXERCISE 83
AIM: To identify assimilation when you hear words containing t or d before j.
Look at the dictionary entries below, and listen to the words on the cassette. For each
entry, circle the pronunciation you hear. The first one is done for you.
1. costume n, adj ˈkɒs tjuːm →(†ˈkɒs ʧuːm) 5. amplitude ˈæmp lɪ tjuːd →†-ʧuːd
2. tube tjuːb →†ʧuːb 6. reduc|e rɪ ˈdjuːs →†-ˈʤuːs
3. mildew ˈmɪl djuː →†-ˈʤuː 7. education ˌed ju ˈkeɪʃ ən ˌeʤ u-
4. adduc|e ə ˈdjuːs →†-ˈʤuːs 8. reconsti|tute ˌriːˈkɒntst ɪ |tjuːt →†-ʧuːt
EXERCISE 84
AIM: To identify assimilation when you hear it, including assimilation of final consonants influenced by
the following word.
The following text is recorded on the cassette. Use it as you wish. Three different
approaches are suggested.
Suggestion 1. Listen to the cassette, and transcribe the text, paying particular attention to
44
assimilation.
Suggestion 2. Read the text, and predict where assimilation might take place. Underline the sounds
you predict. Then listen to the cassette and check how those sounds are pronounced.
Suggestion 3. Listen to the cassette with the text in front of you. Circle the words where you hear
assimilation.
He swung round startled. A knock on his door! There must be some mistake. Or his ears were
playing him tricks. The darkness of the room – for he had not yet switched on the lights – made his
seem more plausible. But no – the knock was repeated.
'Come in,' he said in a thin, cracked voice, and cleared his throat. 'Come in!' He moved eagerly
towards the door to welcome his visitor, and to turn the lights on at the same time, but collided with
a chair and dropped his cigar, which rolled under the table. He dived after it as the door opened. A
segment of light from the corridor fell across the floor, but did not reveal the hiding-place of the
cigar. A woman's voice said uncertainly, 'Professor Zapp?'
'Yeah, come in. Would you switch the light on, please?'
The lights came on and he heard the woman gasp. 'Where are you?'
'Under here.' He found himself staring at a pair of thick fur-lined boots and the hemline of a
shaggy fur coat. To these was added, a moment later, an inverted female face, scarved, red-nosed
and apprehensive. 'I’ll be right with you,' he said. 'I dropped my cigar somewhere under here.'
Changing Places David Lodge (Penguin edition pp. 83-84)
Assimilation is also included in section 19, Pronunciations derived by rule, on pages 78-79. There is
further discussion of assimilation in the note ASSIMILATION in LPD.
19 Pronunciations derived by rule
The symbol → shows that an alternative pronunciation is the result of a general rule which affects
not just this word but a whole range of words and phrases in the language. The dictionary only
shows the results of such rules when they operate within the word, independently of surrounding
words.
Examples:
question ˈkwes ʧən →ˈkweʃ-,
Assimilation of the s, anticipating the following ʧ, produces ˈkweʃ ʧən
newspaper ˈnjuːs ◦peɪp ə
Assimilation: the z of njuːz is devoiced, anticipating the following unvoiced p. (This pronunciation is
now standard).
handbag ˈhænd bæg →ˈhæm-
Elision: ˈhænd bæg becomes ˈhæn bæg
+ assimilation: ˈhæn bæg becomes ˈhæm bæg
cold kəʊld →kɒʊld
Some varieties of RP use the special allophone ɒʊ before l in the same syllable.
includ|e ɪn ˈkluːd →ɪŋ-
Anticipatory dealveolar assimilation of the n- anticipating the following k. produces jq 'klurd.
induc|e ɪn ˈdjuːs →†-ˈʤuːs
Assimilation: coalescence of d and j to form ʤ.
EXERCISE 85
AIM: To identify rules affecting alternative pronunciations.
The dictionary entries below all include an alternative pronunciation derived by rule from the
main pronunciation. In each case, state what rule is involved, as in the examples on page 80.
1. refinement rɪ ˈfaɪn mənt rə-, †riː-, →-ˈfaɪm-
2. patrol pəˈtrəʊl →-ˈtrɒʊl
3. tempestuous tem ˈpes ʧu⌣əs təm-, →-ˈpeʃ-;
4. cardboard ˈkɑːd bɔːd →ˈkɑːb-
45
5. institution ˌɪntst ɪ ˈtjuːʃ ən -ə-, →†-ˈʧuːʃ-
6. handgun ˈhænd gʌn →ˈhæŋ-
7. enfold ɪn ˈfəʊld en-, ən-, →-ˈfɒʊld
8. Wibsey ˈwɪb si -zi −The place in WYks is locally also →ˈwɪp si
9. tune ˈtjuːn →†ˈʧuːn
10. landmark ˈlænd mɑːk →ˈlæm-
20 Incorrect pronunciations
−For a few words, LPD includes a pronunciation variant that is not considered standard. Although
generally seen as incorrect, these variants are included because of the fact that they are in
widespread use. They are marked with the special sign ◬.
LPD INTRODUCTION 2.2
EXERCISE 86
AIM: To use the dictionary to check whether pronunciations are considered incorrect.
a. Listen to the text below, being read by an aspiring newsreader. Transcribe the whole text, if
you wish.
b. Twelve words are pronounced in a way which is not the main pronunciation. Underline what
you think are the twelve words. Transcribe the pronunciation of these words, as you heard it.
Compare your version with the Key.
c. Use the dictionary to check the status of these pronunciations: are they alternative, regional,
or 'incorrect' pronunciations? Complete the table.
INTERNATIONAL RADIO NEWS CORPORATION
TEST PIECE FOR APPLICANTS FOR POSTS AS NEWSREADERS
Several London papers claimed today that a burglary had taken place at Buckingham Palace. A
spokesperson refused to confirm whether or not anything had been stolen.
A nuclear power station in Bangor, North Wales, has been closed down, while maintenance work is
carried out. Asphalt on the roof of the main reactor building has cracked, and accumulated debris
needs to be removed. A local pressure group claim that increased incidence of migraine in the area
is due to radiation escaping through the cracks. The management of the plant reject this as a
mischievous attempt lo cause alarm.
And now here is the latest weather forecast from the Meteorological Office ...
Word Pronunciation on
cassette
Alternative, regional,
or 'incorrect'?
Recommended
pronunciation
burglary
bɜːg əl ri incorrect bɜːg lər i
21 Combining forms
1 Many learned words are composed of combining forms derived from Greek or Latin. These words
consist of a first element and a second element. For example, micro- plus -scopic gives
microscopic. LPD contains entries for these separate elements, which makes it possible to work out
the pronunciation of many unlisted rare or new words.
2 Most combining form suffixes (= second elements) are stress-neutral (= they preserve the
location of stresses in the first elemeni). Others are stress-imposing (= they cause the main stress
to fall on a particular syllable of the first element).
3 A first element usually has two different pronunciations, one used with stress-neutral suffixes, the
other with stress-imposing suffixes. For the pronunciation of the whole word, the pronunciation for
the suffix musi be combined with the appropriate pronunciation for the first element.
46
4 The mark ˌˈ in the pronunciaiion of a first element means a stress. This will be a secondary stress
(ˌ) if the suffix includes a main stress. If not, it will be a main stress (ˈ).
For example, take the first element cata-. With a stress-neutral suffix, it is pronounced ˌˈkæt ə.
Combining this with -graphic ˈgræf ɪk we get catagraphic ˌkæt ə ˈgræf ɪk. Combining it with -phyte
we get cataphyte ˈkæt ə faɪt.
5 With a stress-imposing suffix, cata- is pronounced kə ˈtæ΅. (The sign ΅ is a reminder that this
syllable is incomplete and must attract at least one consonant from the suffix.) Combining cata-
with -logy ləʤ i (stress-imposing), we get catalogy kə ˈtæl əʤ i.
The words catagraphic, cataphyte, catalogy probably do not exist. But an author could easily
invent them. If they were to be used, this is how they would be pronounced.
EXERCISE 87
AIM: To understand dictionary entries on combining forms.
Study the entries below for first elements and suffixes.
First elements Suffixes
caco- comb. form
with stress-neutral suffix ˌˈkæk əʊ‖-ə −cacographic ˌkæk əʊ
ˈgræf ɪk ◀‖-ə-
with stress-imposing suffix kæ ˈkɒ΅ kə- ‖kæ ˈkɑː΅ −cacography
kæ ˈkɒg rəf ɪ kə- ‖-ˈkɑːg-
-gamy stress-imposing gəm i
cardio- comb. form
with stress-neutral suffix ˌˈkɑːd i⌣əʊ ‖ˌˈkɑːrd i⌣oʊ ⌣ə
−cardiomyopathy ˌkɑːd i⌣əʊ maɪˈɒp əθ i ‖ˌkɑːrd i⌣oʊ maɪˈɑːp-
with stress-imposing suffix ˌkɑːd i ˈɒ΅‖ˌkɑːrd i ˈɑː΅ −cartography
ˌkɑːd i ˈɒg rəf i ˌkɑːrd i ˈɑːg-
-genous stress-imposing
ʤən əs −
endo- comb. form
with stress-neutral suffix ˌˈend əʊ ‖ˌˈend ə −endocranial ˌend əʊ
ˈkreɪn i⌣əl ◀ -ə-
with stress-imposing suffix en ˈdɒ΅ ‖en ˈdɑː΅ −endogenous en
ˈdɒʤ ən əs -ɪn- ‖-ˈdɑːʤ-
-gram græm
mono- comb. form
with stress-neutral suffix ˌˈmɒn əʊ ‖ˌˈmɑːn ə -oʊ, but before a
vowel always -əʊ ‖-oʊ −monochord ˈmɒn əʊ kɔːd ‖ˈmɑːn ə kɔːrd
−monoacidic ˌmɒn əʊ ə ˈsɪd ɪk ◀ -æˈ- ‖ˌmɑːn oʊ-
with stress-imposing suffix mə ˈnɒ΅ mɒ- ‖mə ˈnɑː΅ mɑː-
−monology mə ˈnɒl əʤ i mɒ- ‖mə ˈnɑːl- mɑː-
-graphic ˈgræf ɪk
octa- comb. form
with stress-neutral suffix ˌˈɒkt ə ‖ˌˈɑːkt ə −octachord ˈɒkt ə kɔːd
‖ˈɑːkt ə kɔːrd
with stress-imposing suffix ɒk ˈtæ΅ ‖ɑːk ˈtæ΅ −octameter ɒk
ˈtæm ɪt ə -ət- ‖ɑːk ˈtæm ət̼ər
-gonal stress-imposing gən əl
poly- comb. form
with stress-neutral suffix ˌˈpɒl i ‖ˌˈpɑːl i -but in certain more
familiar words, before a consonant, also ˌˈpɒl ə ‖ˌˈpɑːl ə
−polygenesis ˌpɒl i ˈʤen əs ɪs -ɪs ɪs, †-əs ‖ˌpɑːl-
with stress-imposing suffix pə ˌˈlɪ΅ pɒ-
−polyphagous pə ˈlɪf əg əs pɒ-
-phony stress-imposing fən i
The following words combine elements shown above. Write the pronunciation of each
47
word. (If you already know the pronunciation, look to see how the information is conveyed in the
dictionary entries. If you are not sure of the pronunciation, work it out from the entries. Then you
can check the transcription in the key, and listen to the pronunciations on the cassette.)
1. cacophony .................. 4. monogram ..................
2. cardiographic .................. 5. octagonal ..................
3. endogenous .................. 6. polygamy ..................
EXERCISE 88
AIM: To use dictionary entries to predict pronunciation of unfamiliar words.
Many other words can be formed by combining the elements shown in exercise 1. Some will be
familiar, others will be unfamiliar either because you haven't met them before or because you have
just created them. Devise ten words that are unfamiliar to you, and work out how they would be
pronounced.
e.g. endographic ˌend əu ˈgræf ɪk
48
KEY
EXERCISE 1
a. 5 b. 12 c. 4 d. 17 e. 18 f. 20 g. 6 h. 3 i. 16 j. 13
EXERCISE 2
1. creator 2. yet 7. below 8. surgeon 9. arrange 10. heart, hart 11. drug 14. avid 15. choice
19. wretched
EXERCISE 3
1. B ice 2. A ankle 3. B soul 4. A breathe 5. A avoid 6. B thing 7. B poses 8. B vine 9. A louvre
10. B feelings
EXERCISE 4
1. A aɪz 2. B ˈʌŋkəl 3. A sɔɪl 4. A breθ 5. B ɪˈveɪd 6. A θɪn 7. A pə ˈzes 8. A veɪn 9. B ˈlʌv ə 10. A
ˈfɪl ɪŋz
EXERCISE 5
1. i 2. o 3. c 4. g 5. n 6. l 7. d 8. h
EXERCISE 6
a. leather b. washing e. catcher f. loose j. age k. olive m. concord p. ledger
EXERCISE 7
3D – but S in American 4S 5D 6D 7S 8D 9D 10S 11D 12D (but can be S in American)
EXERCISE 8
a. 19 b. 12 c. 4 d. 11 e. 2 f. 9 g. 6 h. 17 i. 15 j. 14
EXERCISE 9
EXERCISE 10
Main pron
6. match
7. ballad
8. mead
mæʧ
ˈbæl əd
miːd
Main pron Alternative pron
9. lewd
10.suit
luːd
suːt
ljuːd
sjuːt
Main pron AmE pron
18.mark
19.dot
20.herb
21.part
mɑːk
dɒt
hɜːb
pɑːt
mɑːrk
dɑːt
ɜtːb
pɑːrt
Main pron Regional pron AmE pron
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22.bath
23.past
bɑːθ
pɑːst
bæθ
pæst
bæθ
pæst
Main pron AmE pron Alternative AmE pron
24.mayor
25.broad
26.ballet
27.bare
meə
brɔːd
ˈbæleɪ
beə
meɪər
brɒːd
bæˈleɪ
beər
meər
brɑːd
ˈbæleɪ
bæər
Main pron Regional pron AmE pron Alternative AmE pron
28.new
29.tube
njuː
tjuːb
nuː
tʃuːb
nuː
tuːb
njuː
tjuːb
EXERCISE 11
Transcription Which pron? English or American?
Speaker 2:
tour
part
poor
Speaker 3:
rare
new
suit
ballet
Speaker 4:
Tube
last
four
tɔː
pɑːt
pɔː
rær
nuː
suːt
bæ ˈleɪ
tʃuːb
læst
fɔː
alternative
main
main
AmE alternative
AmE or regional
main
AmE
regional
regional or AmE
main
English
American
English, with a regional
accent
EXERCISE 12
'Beautiful' – there are twelve pronunciations shown.
EXERCISE 16
2. opposite ˈɒp əz ɪt -əs-, †-ət‖ɑːp- ...ˈɒp əs ɪt.....
3. substantial səbˈstæntʃəl †sʌb-, -ˈstɑːntʃ- ...səb ˈstɑːntʃəl.....
4. transistor træn ˈzɪst ə trɑːn-, †trən-, -ˈsɪst ...trən ˈzɪst ə.....
5. decisive dɪˈsaɪs ɪv də-, †diː-, -ˈsaɪz- ...də ˈsaɪz ɪv.....
6. exasperate ɪgˈ zæsp ə reɪt eg-, əg-, ɪk-, ek-, ək-, -ˈzɑːsp- ...ɪk ˈzɑːsp ə reɪt.....
EXERCISE 17
1. ˌæb ər ˈdiːn
2. ə ˌkæd ə ˈmɪʃ ən, ˌæk əd ə ˈmɪʃ ən, ə ˌkæd ɪ ˈmɪʃ ən, ˌæk əd ɪ ˈmɪʃ ən, ə ˌkæd e ˈmɪʃ ən, æk əd e ˈmɪʃ ən
3. ˌæd ɪs ˈæb əb ə
4. ˌmæn əʤ ə ˈres
5. ˌmɪs ◦rep riː zen ˈteɪʃ ən
EXERCISE 18
1. Yes, there is an alternative pronunciation of the middle syllable of exorcise, giving ˈeks ə saɪz.
2. Two British, and two American:mə ˈʤɒr ət i mə ˈʤɒr ɪt i‖mə ˈʤɔːr ət̼ i mə ˈʤɑːr ət̼ i
3. No.
4. FALSE. There is an alternative pronunciation: əˈpriːs i eɪt.
5. TRUE: acotyledon ˌeɪ ◦kɒt ɪ ˈliːdən ˌə ◦kɒt-, -ə-. The alternatives circled can be combined to give ə
50
ˌkɒt ə ˈliːd ən.
EXERCISE 19
1. reassessment ˌriː⌣əˈses mənt 2. reassigned ˌriː⌣əˈsaɪnd 3. reassuring ˌriː⌣ə ˈʃɔːr ɪŋ 4.
reawakens ˌriː⌣ə weɪk ənz
EXERCISE 20
1. ˈmɑːrk ət̼əd 2. ˈkaɪnd li nəs 3. ˈjuːs ləs li 4. TRUE 5. ˈeɪʤ əns iz
EXERCISE 21
Main Alternative Regional AmE AmE alternative
3. Aberdaron
4. ballroom
5. behave
6. economics
7. managing
8. target
ˌæb əˈdær ən
ˈbɔːl ruːm
bɪ ˈheɪv
ˌiːk ə ˈnɒm ɪks
ˈmæn ɪʤ ɪŋ
ˈtɑːg ɪt
ˈbɔːl rum
bə ˈheɪv
ˌek ə ˈnɒm ɪks
ˈmæn əʤ ɪŋ
biːˈheɪv
ˈtɑːg ət
ˌæb ərˈdær ən
ˌiːk ə ˈnɑːm ɪks
ˈtɑːrg ət
ˌæb ərˈdær ən
ˌek ə ˈnɑːm ɪks
EXERCISE 22
Main Alternative Regional ‘Incorrect’ AmE AmE alternative
3. Buckingham
4. dansing
5. mistake
6. Saturday
7. tariff
8. trauma
ˈbʌk ɪŋ əm
ˈdɑːnts ɪŋ
mɪ ˈsteɪk
ˈsæt ə deɪ
ˈtær ɪf
ˈtrɔːm ə
mə ˈsteɪk
ˈsæt ə di
ˈtraʊm ə
ˈbʌk ɪŋ həm
ˈdænts ɪŋ
ˈtær əf
ˈbʌk ən əm
ˈsæt di
ˈdænts ɪŋ
ˈsæt ər deɪ
ˈter ɪf
ˈtraʊm ə
ˈsæt ər di
ˈter əf
ˈtrɒːm ə
ˈtrɑːm ə
EXERCISE 23B
in full with elision
1. French frentʃ (frenʃ)
2. plunge (plʌndʒ) plʌnʒ
3. stamped stæmpt (stæmt)
4. tangerine ˌtændʒ ə ˈriːm (ˌtænʒ ə ˈriːm)
5. tasteful (ˈteɪst fʊl) ˈteɪs fʊl
6. kindness ˈkaɪnd nəs (ˈkaɪn nəs)
7. awaken (ə 'weɪk ən) ə 'weɪk n
EXERCISE 24
2. E 3. E 4. F 5. F 6. E
EXERCISE 25
in full with elision
1. pinch pɪnʧ pɪnʃ
2. bandstand ˈbænd stænd ˈbæn stænd
3. camped kæmpt kæmt
4. wistful ˈwɪst fʊl ˈwɪs fʊl
5. softness ˈsɒft nəs ˈsɒf nəs
6. textbook ˈtekst bʊk ˈteks bʊk
EXERCISE 26
softly, lounge, firstly, wasteful
51
EXERCISE 27
3. 'dɪst ənts 4. mɪnts 5. 'traɪ ʌmpf 6. ə 'kweɪnt ənts 7. 'kʌmf ət 8. 'empf ə sɪs 9. ə 'sɪst əns 10. səb
'stæntʃ l
EXERCISE 28
KEY A:
A: I've just had my lounge decorated. It hadn't been done since I moved in.
B: What colour is it?
A: It's called French Blush.
B: Very tasteful, I'm sure, but it doesn't convey anything.
A: Well, on the chart it looked lovely - a sort of pale tangerine colour.
B: That sounds nice. The lounge faces north, doesn't it, and a tangerine glow would take away the
coldness.
A: That's just what I thought: elegant but comfortable. But actually it's more like orange. It's
cheerful - but not very restful.
KEY B:
A: aɪv (djʌs) hæd maɪ (laʊnʒ) dek ə reɪt ɪd‖ɪt hæd nt biːn dʌn sɪns aɪ muːvd ɪn
B: wɒt kʌl ər ɪz ɪt
A: ɪts kɔːld (frenʃ) blʌʃ
B: veri teɪst fʊl aɪm ʃɔː‖bət ɪt dʌz nt kən veɪ en i θɪŋ
A: wel ɒn ðə ʧɑːt ɪt (lʊk) lʌv li‖ə sɔːt əv peɪl (tænʒ ər iːn) kʌl ə
B: ðæt saʊndz naɪs‖ðə laʊnʤ feɪs ɪz nɔːθ (dʌz n) ɪt‖ənd ə tænʤ ər iːn gləʊ wʊd teɪk ə weɪ ðə kəʊld
nəs
A: ðæts (ʤʌs) wɒt aɪ θɔːt‖el ɪ gənt bət (kʌmpft əb l)‖bət æk ʧu əl i ɪts mɔː laɪk ɒr ɪnʤ‖ɪts ʧɪə fʊl‖bət
nɒt veri (res fʊl)
EXERCISE 29B
syllabic consonant vowel + consonant
1. suddenly ('sʌd n li) 'sʌd ən li
2. Britain 'brɪt n ('brɪt ən)
3. frightening 'fraɪt n ɪŋ ('fraɪt ən ɪŋ)
4. hidden ('hɪd n) 'hɪd ən
5. medal 'med l ('med əl)
6. needlework ('niːd l wɜːk) 'niːd əl wɜːk
7. cattle 'kæt l ('kæt əl)
8. petals 'pet lz ('pet əlz)
9. panel ('pæn l) 'pæn əl
10. softener 'sɒf n ə ('sɒf ən ə)
11. station 'steɪ ʃn ('steɪ ʃən)
12. fastened ('fɑːs nd) 'fɑːs ənd
EXERCISE 30
KEY A
GOLDEN OLDIES – the most popular songs chosen by radio listeners:
The Battle of New Orleans
Wooden Heart
Beautiful Dreamer
I Beg your Pardon (I never promised you a rose garden)
The Tunnel of Love
Sentimental Journey
Suddenly it's Spring
Congratulations
KEY B:
ˈgəʊld ən, ˈʧəʊz ən, ˈlɪs n əz, ˈbæt l, ˈwʊd ən, ˈbjuːt ɪ fəl, ˈpɑːd n, ˈgɑːd n, ˈtʌn əl, ˌsent ɪˈment l, ˈsʌd n li,
kən ˌgræʧ u ˈleɪʃ ənz
52
EXERCISE 31
1. ˈæb sənt 2. ˈbek ən 3. ˈkʌr ənt 4. ˈsaɪk l 5. ˈpæm əl ə 6. ˈpær ə gən 7. ˈsɜːv nt 8. ˈsɪm əl ə 9.
ˈtræv l ə 10. ˈveɪk ənt
EXERCISE 32
With three syllables: ˈbæt l ɪŋ (recommended pronunciation),
and also: ˈbæt əl ɪŋ
With two syllables: ˈbæt lɪŋ
EXERCISE 33
3. flattening .2.. 4. sprinkling .3.. 5. cycling .3. 6. reckoning .2.. 7. threatening .3.. 8. trickling
.2..
EXERCISE 34
1. ˈmæd n ɪŋ 2. ˈbæt lɪŋ 3. ˈflæt nɪŋ 4. ˈsprɪŋk l ɪŋ 5. ˈsaɪk l ɪŋ 6. ˈrek nɪŋ 7. ˈθret n ɪŋ 8. ˈtrɪk lɪŋ
EXERCISE 35
Words with no compression:
always three syllables
e.g. finally ˈfaɪn əl i
Words with compression:
can be two syllables
e.g. traveller ˈtræv əl⌣ə
ˈgləʊb əl i
ˈnɔːm əl i
ˈsʌm ər aɪz
ˈtəʊt əl i
ˈtʌn əl ɪŋ
ˈkeəf li
ˈleŋθ nɪŋ
ˈnɜːs ri
ˈsɑːmp lɪŋ
EXERCISE 36B
full with compression
1. obvious ˈɒb vi⌣əs (ˈɒb vi əs) ˈɒb vjəs
2. bicentennial ˌbaɪ sen ˈten i⌣əl (ˌbaɪ sen ˈten I əl) ˌbaɪ sen ˈten jəl
3. studious ˈstjuːd i⌣əs ˈstjuːd I əs (ˈstjuːd jəs)
4. usual ˈjuːʒ u⌣əl ˈjuːʒ u əl (ˈjuːʒ wəl)
5. material mə ˈtɪər i⌣əl mə ˈtɪər I əl (mə ˈtɪər jəl)
6. diagram ˈdaɪ⌣ə græm (ˈdaɪ ə græm) ˈdaə græm
EXERCISE 37
3. C 4. F 5. C 6. C 7. F 8. C 9. F
EXERCISE 38
8 words with syllabic consonants: haven't, reputable, rotten, label, Revolution, celebration, classical,
education.
2 words with compression involving a consonant: company, anniversary.
5 words with compression involving vowels: flowered, biennial, biannual, obviously, bicentennial.
A: ðiːz plɑːnts hæv nt flaəd ət ɔːl ðɪs jɪə aɪ bɔːt ðəm frəm ə rep jə təb l kʌmp ni‖bət aɪ θɪŋk ðeɪ mʌs bi
rɒt n
B: ðɪs leɪb l sez ðeə baɪ en jelz
A: səʊ ðeɪ ɔːt tə flaʊ ə twaɪs ə jɪə
B: nəʊ ðəʊz ə baɪ æn julz‖baɪ en jel plɑːnts əʊn li flaʊə ev ri ʌð ə jɪə‖jɔː plɑːnts ɒb vjəs ly ɑːnt flaʊər
ɪŋ bɪ kɒz ðɪs ɪs ðə fɜːʃ jɪə
A: aɪ θɔːt ə baɪ en jel wəz ə sɔːt əv tuː hʌndr əd jɪər æn ɪ vɜːs ri‖naɪn tiːn eɪt i naɪn wəz ðə baɪ en jel əv
ðə frenʃ rev ə luːʃ n‖ən ðə wəz ə greɪt sel ɪ breɪʃ n ɪn pæ rɪs
B: nəʊ jɔː θɪŋk ɪŋ əv baɪ sen ten jel
A: əʊ ði əd vɑːnt ɪʤɪz əv ə klæs ɪk l ed ju keɪʃ n
53
EXERCISE 39
2. esˈcort 3. ˈsurvey 4. conˈvert 5. ˈcontest 6. ˈinsult
EXERCISE 40
contrast, reject, present, transport
EXERCISE 42
KEY A: choose from these words: content, contract, desert, extract, minute, object, refuse
KEY B: 2. refuse rɪf ˈjuːz ˈref juːs
3. contract kən ˈtrækt ˈkɒn trækt
4. content kən ˈtent ˈkɒn tent
5. extract ɪk ˈstrækt ˈek strækt
6. object əb ˈjekt ˈɒb jekt
7. minute maɪ ˈnjuːt ˈmɪn ɪt
8. desert dɪ ˈzɜːt ˈdez ət
EXERCISE 43
2. break-in 3. comeback 4. walkout 5. flashback 6. downpour 7. breakdown 8. countdown 9.
lift-off 10. outlay
EXERCISE 44
arˈrest ˈvagabond ˈanyone iˈmagining ˈnotice disˈparity beˈtween ˈaccent ˈlater disˈcovered
ˈnever ˈhappened ˈinstantly ˈeveryone's deˈmeanour aˈbruptly ˈhawker ˈbarrow upˈset beˈfore
ˈnoticed ˈatitude ˈwomen ˈvaries ˈbadly ˈshudder aˈway ˈmovement disˈgust ˈpowerful ˈdifficult
ˈgenuinely deˈgraded irˈrational ˈprison
EXERCISE 45
2. ə ˈʤend ə 3. ˈæg rə veɪt 4. ˈeɪ ʤənt 5. ə ˈgres ɪv 6. ˈæg rəʊ 7. ə ˈgluːt ɪn ət ɪv 8. ˈæʤ aɪl 9. ə
ˈgrænd ɪz mənt
EXERCISE 46
1. ˌanniˈversary 2. ˌdefiˈnition 3. ˌepicuˈrean 4. ˌmediˈocrity 5. ˌmetaˈphysical 6. ˌmortifiˈcation 7.
ˌproclaˈmation 8. reˌgeneˈration 9. ˌvaleˈdiction
The Metaphysical Poets
A selection of poems
Mediocrity in love rejected Thomas Carew
A Valediction: forbidding mourning John Donne
The Anniversary John Donne
An Ode upon his Majestie's Proclamation Sir Richard Fanshawe
An Epicurean Ode John Hail
Mortification George Herbert
The Definition of Love Ancirew Marvell
Regeneration Henry Vaughan
EXERCISE 48
2. ˈocto◦syllable 3. reˈvision◦ism 4. ˈcare◦taker 5. ˈcasta◦way 6. ˈunder◦carriage 7. ˈup◦bringing 8.
obˈstruction◦ism 9. ˈoffice◦holder 10. eˈstate ◦agent 11. ˈrecord ◦library 12. ˈOedipus ◦complex 13.
unˈcertainty ◦principle
EXERCISE 50
2. ˌinter◦contiˈnental 3. ˌsado◦masoˈchistic 4. ˌvale◦tudiˈnarian 5. Reˌceived pro◦nunciˈation 6. ˌco-ef◦ficient ofˈ friction 7. ˌoccu◦pational ˈtherapy
EXERCISE 51
54
1. tyˈrannicide 2. ˌindi◦visiˈbility 3. ˌsacriˈficial 4. ˈcare◦taker 5. ˈliberator 6. ˌadoˈlescence 7.
ˈsacrosanct 8. ˌintelˈlectual 9. ˌuncon◦ventionˈality 10. ˈcapital◦ism
EXERCISE 54
2. a ˌlarge-scale ˈmap 3. ˌopen-heart ˈsurgery 4. a ˌlaid-back ˈpersonality 5. a ˌleft-handed poˈtato-peeler 6. a ˌmisspelt ˈletter 7. a ˌmisspent ˈyouth
EXERCISE 55
1a. ˌaudio-ˈvisual b. ˌaudio-◦visual ˈaids
2a. ˌautoˈmatic b. ˌauto◦matic ˈpilot
3a. ˌoccuˈpational b. ˌoccu◦pational ˈtherapy
4a. ˌopeˈrational b. ˌope◦rational reˈsearch
5a. ˌradioˈactive b. ˌradio◦active deˈcay
EXERCISE 56
(suggested versions: others are possible)
2. the sun at midday
3. an agent who works undercover
4. income which is unearned
5. a man who is middle-aged
6. railings made of cast-iron
7. a kid who is crazy and mixed-up
EXERCISE 59
Early stress
e.g. 'picture frame
Late stress
e.g. ˌcentral 'heating
Spanish lessons
evening classes
Community Centre
study group
driving instructor
grammar book
Monday evenings
English teacher
Spanish accent
civil engineer
driving ambition
South America
EXERCISE 60
1a. an ˈEnglish ◦teacher b. an ˌEnglish ˈteacher
2a. a ˈdarkroom b. a ˌdark ˈroom
3a. a ˈblackboard b. a ˌblack ˈboard
4a. a ˈglass shelf b. a ˌglass ˈshelf
EXERCISE 61
Late stress: rubber duck, apple pie, cheese sauce, jam sandwich, peach brandy, salt beef.
Early stress: rubber plant, apple blossom, cheese grater, jam jar, peach stone, salt cellar
EXERCISE 62
Early stress: - written as one word: ˈKnightsbridge, ˈMoorgate
- with street: ˈBaker Street, ˈBond Street
Late stress: ˌTower ˈHill, ˌCharing ˈCross, ˌLeicester ˈSquare, ˌPiccadilly ˈCircus, ˌMarble ˈArch,
ˌTottenham ◦Court ˈRoad, ˌOxford ˈCircus
EXERCISE 64B
1. absolute ˈæb sə luːt (ˌ▪▪ˈ▪) 2. backgammon (ˈbæk ◦gæm ən) ▪ˈ▪▪ 3. backpedal ˌbæk ˈped əl (▪◦▪▪) 4.
caviar (ˈkæv i ɑː) ˌ▪▪ˈ▪ 5. cigarette (ˌsɪg əˈret) ˈ▪▪▪ 6. manageress ˌmæn ɪʤəˈres (ˈ▪▪▪▪) 7.
submarine ˈsʌb mə riːn (ˌ▪▪ˈ▪) 8. (ˌAdam’s ˈapple) ˈ▪▪◦▪▪ 9. ice ˈcream (ˈ▪▪) 10. (ˌradio aˈlarm) ˈ▪▪▪▪◦▪
EXERCISE 65C
(M)/A M/A
55
1. Is ˌvalue ˈadded tax charged on ˈvideo-cas◦settes?
(M)/A M/(A) M/(A)
2. My neighbour is a ˌvioˈlinist. She plays a ˈviolin made in the ˌVirgin ˈIslands.
(M)/A
3. Old leather books can be preserved by treating the surface with ˈvaseline, and wrapping them in
(M)/A
ˌvelveˈteen.
(M)/A
4. I was once offered a job doing a ˈvoice◦over for a television advertisement. The pay was
M/(A)
marvellous, but I developed an infection of the ˈvocal cords and couldn't do it.
M/(A)
5. 'Who said that the only meaningful statements are those which are ˌveriˈfiable by sense
(M)/A
experience?' 'It sounds like ˌVolˈtaire.'
EXERCISE 66C
2. applicable ə ˈplɪk əb l M
3. primarily praɪ ˈmer əl i A
4. subsidence səb ˈsaɪd ɒs M
5. decade dɪ ˈkeɪd A
6. communal ˈkɒm jʊn l M
7. harass ˈhær əs M
8. controversy kən ˈtrɒv əs i A
9. clandestine klæn ˈdest ɪn M
10. contributed kən ˈtrɪb jut ɪd M
EXERCISE 67
a.
2. inˈform ˌinforˈmation Yes
3. ˌenterˈtain ˌenterˈtainment No
4. eˈlectric eˌlecˈtricity Yes
5. ˈcareless ˈcarelessness No
b.
1. ˈplenty ˈplentiful No
2. ˈphotograph ˌphotoˈgraphic Yes
3. ˈbeauty ˈbeautiful No
4. ˈvalue ˈvaluable No
5. Jaˈpan ˌJapaˈnese Yes
EXERCISE 68
a.
ˈlaunder ˌlaundeˈrette 3. S
B. ˈcomfort ˈcomfortable 1. SN
ˈperiod ˌperiˈodical 2. SI
ˈpunctual ˌpunctuˈality 2. SI
C. wide ˈwiden 1. SN
ˈmountain ˌmountaiˈneer 3. S
ciˈgar ˌcigaˈrette 3. S
D. eˈconomy ˌecoˈnomic 2. SI
ˈsympathy ˈsympathise 1. SN
56
ˈpunish ˈpunishment 1. SN
E. ˈpicture ˌpictuˈresque 3. S
ˈproverb proˈverbial 2. SI
b.
Stress-neutral Stress-imposing Stressed
-ous
-able
-en
-ise
-ment
-ic
-ical
-ity
-ial
-ese
-ette
-eer
-esque
EXERCISE 70
1. stɝː 2. θɝːd 3. ˈliːd r 4. ˈlɑːrʤ r 5. bɑːrn
EXERCISE 71
1. kræft 2. flæsk 3. ˈlæft r 4. bəˈnæn ə 5. pæst
EXERCISE 72
RP 1. ɒ wrong GenAm 4. ɑː card, wrong, harm
2. ɔː cord, lawn, thorn 5. ɒː lawn
3. ɑː card, harm 6. ɔː cord, thorn
EXERCISE 73
ɪ ə a ə ə ə ɪ ə ɪ
1. cabbage 2. robin 3. habit 4. panic 5. Lenin 6. wicked 7. vanish 8. arches 9. carriage
EXERCISE 74
a.
RP GenAm
1. staring ˈsteər ɪŋ ˈster ɪŋ
2. careful ˈkeəf l ˈkerf l
3. dearest ˈdɪər ɪst ˈdɪr ɪst
4. experience ɪk ˈspɪər i əns ɪk ˈspɪr i əns
5. variation ˌveər i ˈeɪʃ n ˌver i ˈeɪʃ n
6. sincerely sɪn ˈsɪə li sɪn ˈsɪr li
b.
RP GenAm
1. staring ˈsteər ɪŋ (ˈster ɪŋ)
2. careful (ˈkeəf l) ˈkerf l
3. dearest ˈdɪər ɪst (ˈdɪr ɪst)
4. experience ɪk ˈspɪər i əns (ɪk ˈspɪr i əns)
5. variation (ˌveər i ˈeɪʃ n) ˌver i ˈeɪʃ n
6. sincerely sɪn ˈsɪə li (sɪn ˈsɪr li)
EXERCISE 75
1. wri(t)ing 2. la(t)er 3. return 4. rela(t)ed 5. softer 6. a(tt)ic 7. attack 8. lightning
t is not voiced in 'return' and 'attack' because the t is not at the end of a syllable.
t is not voiced in 'softer' and 'lightning' because the t is not between vowels.
EXERCISE 76
1. (rafter) rather rock rod
2. after class (father) ghastly
3. sordid (worthy) warden warm
EXERCISE 77
57
RP rhymes GenAm rhymes
nought
clerk
laugh
court
mark
scarf
bother
abbot
sorry
father
habit
story
EXERCISE 78
ðə ˈkɑː wəz əˈdɑːrk ˈbluːˈsev n ˈpæs nʤ r sɪˈdæn əˈpæk rd əv ðəˈleɪt̼əs ˈmɑːd l ˈkʌst əm ˈbɪlt ɪt wəz ðə
ˈkaɪnd əv kɑːr jəˈwer jəˈroʊp ˈp lz ɪn‖ɪt wəz ˈpɑːrkt baɪəˈfaɪr ◦haɪdr ənt ən əˈdɑːrk ˈfɔːr ən ˈlʊk ɪŋ ʃoʊ
ˈf wəð ə ˈfeɪs əv ˈkɑːrvd ˈwʊd wəz bɪˈhaɪnd ðəˈhwiːl‖ði ɪn ˈtɪr i r wəz əˈpoʊlst rd ɪn ˈkwɪlt əd ˈgreɪʃə
ˈniːl‖ði ˈɪnd i ən ˈpʊt mi ən ðə ˈbæk‖sɪt̼ɪŋ ðər ə ˈloʊn aɪ ˈfelt laɪk ə ˈhaɪ klæs ˈkɔːrps ˈleɪd ˈaʊt baɪ ən ˈʌnd
r teɪk r wəð ə ˈlɑːt̼əv ˈgʊd ˈteɪst‖
ði ˈɪnd i ən ˈgɑːt̼ˈɪn bɪˈsaɪd ðəʃoʊˈf ən ðəˈkɑːr ˈt nd ɪn ðəˈmɪd l əv ðəˈblɑːk ən əˈkɑːp əˈkroːs ðə
ˈstriːt sed ˈheɪ ˈwiːk li əz ˈɪf i ˈdɪd n ˈmiːn ət ən ˈðen ˈbent ˈdaʊn ˈkwɪk li tə ˈtaɪ ɪʒ ˈʃuː‖
wi ˈwent ˈwest ˈdrɑːpt ˈoʊv r tə ˈsʌn set ən slɪd ˈfæst ən ˈnɔɪz ləs ə ˈlɒːŋ ˈðæt‖ði ˈɪnd i ən ˈsæt ˈmoʊʃ n ləs
bɪ ˈsaɪd ðə ʃoʊ ˈf ‖ən ə ˈkeɪʒ nəl ˈhwɪf əv hɪz ˈp s n ˈæl ət i ˈdrɪft əd ˈbæk tə mi‖ðə ˈdraɪv r ˈlʊkt əz əf hi
wəz ˈhæf ə ˈsliːp bət̼ i ˈpæst ðə ˈfæst bɔɪz ɪn ðə kən ˈv t̼əb l sɪ ˈdænz əz ˈðoʊ ðəɪ wr ˈbiːɪŋ ˈtoʊd‖ðəɪ
ˈtɝːnd ˈɑːn ˈɒːl ðəˈgriːn ˈlaɪts fɔːr ɪm‖ˈsʌm ˈdraɪv rz r ˈlaɪk ðæt‖hiːˈnev r ˈmɪst ˈhwʌn‖
ɪt əd bɪn ə ˈwɔːrm ˈæft r ˈnuːn bət ðə ˈhiːt wəz ˈgɒːn‖wiː hwɪpt pæst ə ˈdɪst ənt ˈklʌst r əv ˈlaɪt̼əd ˈbɪld
ɪŋz ənd ən ˈend ləs ˈsɪr iːz əv ˈlaɪt̼əd ˈmænʃ nz ˈnɑːt tuːˈkloʊs tə ðəˈroʊd‖wiːˈdɪpt ˈdaʊn təˈsk t̼ə
ˈhjuːʤ ˈgriːn ˈpoʊl oʊ fiːld wɪθ ə ˈnʌð r ˈiːk wəl i ˈhjuːʤ ˈprækt əs fiːld bə ˈsaɪd ɪt ˈsɔːrd ə gen tə ðə ˈtɑːp
əv ə ˈhɪl ən ˈswʌŋ ˈmaʊnt n wrd ʌp ə ˈstiːp ˈhɪl ˈroʊd əv ˈkliːn ˈkɑːn kriːt ðət ˈpæst ˈɔːr nʤ groʊvz sʌm ˈrɪʧ
mænz ˈpet bɪ kəz ðɪs əz ˈnɑːt ˈɔːr nʤˈkʌntr i‖ən ðen ˈlɪt̼ l baɪˈlɪt̼ l ðəˈlaɪt̼əd ˈwɪnd oʊz əv ðəˈmɪl jə
ˈnerz hoʊmz wr ˈgɒːn ən ðə ˈroʊd ˈnær oʊd ən ˈðɪs wəz ˈstɪl wʊd ˈhaɪts‖
EXERCISE 79
2. D 3. S 4. S 5. D 6. S 7. D 8. D 9. S 10. S
EXERCISE 80
Acronym Separate
letters
3. Organisation for Economic Cooperation and
Development
4. Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries
5. Trades Union Congress
6. Universities Central Council on Admissions
7. University of California at Los Angeles
8. unilateral declaration of independence
9. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organisation
OPEC ˈəʊp ek
UCCA ˈʌk ə
UNESCO
ju ˈnesk əʊ
OECD
TUC
UCLA
UDI
EXERCISE 82
1. ˈkræm bər⌣i 2. ˌʌm ˈbæl əns 3. ˈɪm pʊt 4. ʌŋ ˈgreɪt fəl 5. ˈrek ɔːb ◦breɪk ə/z 6. ˈmɪb pɔɪnt 7.
ˈbrɔːg kɑːst 8. ˈwiːg ◦kɪl ə
EXERCISE 83
1. ˈkɒs ʧuːm 2. tjuːb 3. ˈmɪl djuː 4. ə ˈʤuːs 5. ˈæmpl ɪ ʧuːd 6. rɪ ˈdjuːs 7. ˌeʤ u ˈkeɪʃ n 8. ˌriː
ˈkɒnst ɪ tjuːt
EXERCISE 84
hi swʌŋ raʊn stɑːtld‖ə nɒk ɒn ɪz dɔː‖ðeə mʌs bi sʌm mɪsteɪk‖ɔːr ɪz ɪəz wə pleɪɪŋ ɪm trɪks‖ðə dɑːknəs
əv ðə rʊm fər i əd nɒʧet swɪʧt ɒn ðə laɪts meɪd ðɪs siːm mɔː plɔːzəbl‖bət nəʊ ðə nɒk wəz rɪpiːtɪd‖
kʌm ɪn hi sed ɪn ə θɪŋ krækt vɔɪs əŋ klɪəd ɪz θrəʊt‖kʌm ɪn‖hi muːvd iːgəli təwɔːdz ðə dɔː tə welkəm ɪz
vɪzɪtə ən tə tɜːn ðə laɪts ɒn ət ðə seɪm taɪm bək kəlaɪdɪd wɪð ə ʧeə ən dropt ɪz sɪgɑː wɪʧ rəʊld ʌndə ðə
58
teɪbl‖hi daɪvd ɑːftər ɪt əz ðə dɔːr əʊpənd‖ə segmənt əv laɪt frəm ðə kɒrɪdɔː fel əkrɒs ðə flɔː bət dɪd nɒt
rɪviːl ðə haɪdɪŋ pleɪs əv ðə sɪgɑː‖ə wʊmənz vɔɪs sed ʌnsɜːtnli prəfesə zæp‖
jeə kʌm ɪn‖wʊʤuː swɪʧ ðə laɪt ɒn pliːz‖
ðə laɪts keɪm ɒn ən i hɜːd ðə wʊməŋ gɑːsp‖weər ɑː juː‖
ʌndə hɪə‖hi faʊnd steərɪŋ ət ə peər əv θɪk fɜː laɪmb buːts ən ðə hemlaɪn əv ə ʃægi fɜː kəʊt‖tə ðiːz wəz
ædɪd ə məʊmənt leɪtə ən invɜːtɪd fiːmeɪl feɪs skɑːvd red nəʊzd ən æprɪhensɪv‖
aɪl bi raɪt wɪð ju hi sed‖aɪ drɒpt maɪ sɪgɑː sʌmweər ʌndə hɪə‖
EXERCISE 85
refinement rɪ ˈfaɪm mənt
Anticipatory dealveolar assimilation of the n, anticipating the m.
patrol pəˈtrɒʊl
Use of special allophone ɒʊ before l in the same syllable.
tempestuous tem ˈpeʃ ʧu⌣əs
Assimilation of the s, anticipating the following ʧ.
cardboard ˈkɑːb bɔːd
Anticipatory dealveolar assimilation of the d, anticipating the b.
institution ˌɪntst ɪ ˈʧuːʃ ən
Assimilation: coalescence of t and j to form ʧ.
handgun ˈhæŋ gʌn
Elision of d, plus assimilation of n, anticipating the g.
enfold ɪn ˈfɒʊld
Use of special allophone ɒʊ before l in the same syllable.
Wibsey ˈwɪp si
Assimilation: the b is devoiced, anticipating the following unvoiced s.
tune ˈʧuːn
Assimilation: coalescence of t and j to form ʧ.
landmark ˈlæm mɑːk
Elision of d, plus assimilation of n, anticipating the m.
EXERCISE 86
b. sev rəl lʌn dən peɪp əz kleɪmd tə deɪ ðət ə bɜːg əl ri həd teɪk n pleɪs ət bʌk ɪŋ həm pæl ɪs ə spəʊks
pɜːs n rɪf juːzd tə kɒn fɜːm weð ər ɔː nɒt en i θɪŋk əd biːn stəʊl ən ə njuːk jəl ə paʊ ə steɪʃ n ɪn bæŋ ə
nɔːθ weɪlz həz biːn kləʊʤ daʊn waɪl meɪn teɪn əns wɜːk ɪz kær id aʊt æʃ felt ɒn ðə ruːf əv ðə meɪn ri
æk tə bɪldɪŋ həz krækt ənd ə kjuːm ə leɪt ɪd deb ri niːdz tə biː ri muːvd ə ləʊk l preʃ ə gruːp kleɪm ðət
ɪŋ kriːst ɪn sɪd əns əv maɪ greɪn ɪn ði eər i ə hz djuː tə reɪd i eɪʃ n ɪ skeɪp ɪŋ θruː ðə kræks ðə mæn ɪʤ
mənt əv ðə plɑːnt dɪnaɪ ðɪs əz ə mɪs ʧiːv əs ə tempt tə kɔːz ə lɑːm ənd naʊ hɪər ɪz ðə leɪt ɪst weðə fɔː
kɑːst frəm ðə miːt ər ə lɒʤɪk l ɒf ɪs
c.
Word Pronunciation on
cassette
Alternative, regional,
or 'incorrect'?
Recommended
pronunciation
Buckingham
confirm
anything
nuclear
Bangor
maintenance
asphalt
accumulated
migraine
mischievous
Meteorological
ˈbʌk ɪŋ həm
kɒn ˈfɜːm
ˈen i θɪŋk
ˈnjuːk jəl ə
ˈbæŋ ə
meɪn ˈteɪn əns
ˈæʃ felt
ə ˈkjuːm ə leɪt ɪd
ˈmaɪ greɪn
regional
regional
incorrect
incorrect
incorrect
incorrect
incorrect
incorrect
alternative
incorrect
incorrect
ˈbʌk ɪŋ əm
kən ˈfɜːm
ˈen i θɪŋ
ˈnjuːk li ə
ˈbæŋ gə
meɪn ˈtən əns
ˈæs fælt
ə ˈkjuːm jə leɪt ɪd
ˈmiː greɪn
59
mɪs ˈʧiːv əs
ˌmiːt ər ə ˈlɒʤ ɪk l
ˈmɪs ʧɪv əs
ˌmiːt i ər ə ˈlɒʤ ɪk l
EXERCISE 87
1. kæ ˈkɒf ən i 2. ˌkɑːd i⌣əʊˈgræf ɪk 3. end ˈɒʤən əs 4. mɒn ə græm 5. ɒk ˈtæg n əl 6. pəˈlɪg əm i
EXERCISE 88
The possible combinations of first and second elements are:
cacogamy kæ ˈkɒg əm i, kə- monogamy mə ˈnɒg əm i
cacogenous kæ ˈkɒʤ ən əs, kə- monogenous mə ˈnɒʤ ən əs
cacogram ˈkæk əʊ græm, -ə- monographic ˌmɒn əʊ ˈgræf ɪk, -ə-
cacographic ˌkæk əʊ ˈgræf ɪk, -ə- monogonal mə ˈnɒg n əl
cacogonal kæ ˈkɒg n əl, kə- monophony mə ˈnɒf ən i
cardiogamy ˌkɑːd i ˈɒg əm i octagamy ɒk ˈtæg əm i
cardiogenous ˌkɑːd i ˈɒʤən əs octagenous ɒk ˈtæʤən əs
cardiogram ˈkɑːd i⌣əʊ græm, -ə- octagram ˈɒkt ə græm
cardiogonal ˌkɑːd i ˈɒg n l octagraphic ˌɒkt əˈgræf ɪk
cardiophony ˌkɑːd i ˈɒf ən i octaphony ɒk ˈtæf ən i
endogamy en ˈdɒg əm i polygenous pə ˈlɪʤ ən əs
endogram ˈend əʊ græm, -ə- polygram ˈpɒl i græm
endographic ˌend əʊ ˈgræf ɪk, -ə- polygraphic ˌpɒl i ˈgræf ɪk
endogonal en ˈdɒg n əl polygonal pə ˈlɪg n əl
endophony en ˈdɒf ən i polyphony pə ˈlɪf ən i
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