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Re: phonology of borrowed words

From:Jake X <alwaysawake247@...>
Date:Friday, November 22, 2002, 23:01
> Also, it was interesting that the pronunciation of some foreign words > has become _more_ authentic over time. For example, younger members of > the class consistently pronounced the final syllable of "reservoir" > [vwa], while only the very oldest members chose [vo:].
Another interesting facet is how education in foreign terms can confuse the pronunciation of the original. For example, where I live the natively english word [fo:rt], meaning strongpoint, has been confused with the Italian word ['forte], signifying loudness in music. People speak of their ['fortez] here as being the things they are good at. I used the pronunciation this way as well, even before I was acquainted with music, simpl;y because I had heard others say it. I was surprised when i learned contrary in my IPA pronunciation dictionary. Jake

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John Cowan <jcowan@...>