English eth (was: Love Those Double Vowels)

Generally speaking, the default realization of //T// in English
is /T/, and you get /D/ only in three circumstances:

1) Intervocalically in native words;
2) Finally in native words that used to end in /@/, generally
    shown by a silent "e" in the orthography;
3) Initially in closed-class words.

So "ether" has /T/ because it is a borrowing, whereas "either" is
native; "then" is closed-class, but "thin" is open-class;
ditto for "thy"/"thigh".

For me, "with" is /wID/ when a vowel follows in close juncture, which
makes it de facto intervocalic, but /wIT/ otherwise.  Other people
seem to use /wIT/ exclusively.

In general, no newly introduced word contains /D/; I find that
my wife, who can say "soothe" /suD/ quite perfectly, always
pronounces "Gwynedd" with /T/.

--
Not to perambulate             || John Cowan <jcowan@...>
    the corridors               || http://www.reutershealth.com
during the hours of repose     || http://www.ccil.org/~cowan
    in the boots of ascension.  \\ Sign in Austrian ski-resort hotel

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