Re: Let Me Introduce Myself
| From: | Ph. D. <phild@...> |
|---|
| Date: | Saturday, January 1, 2005, 4:12 |
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Thomas R. Wier wrote:
>
> From: "B. Garcia" <madyaas@...>
> > # 1 wrote:
> > >
> > > - tidal waves (is that the word?) -
> >
> > these are the same as Tsunamis
>
> Actually, no, they aren't. Tidal waves are caused by the
> gravitation of the moon, while tsunamis are caused by
> seismic changes in the earth's crust. And parts of Atlantic
> Canada are witness to the largest variations in tidal
> changes on the planet.
Well, "tides" are caused by the moon's gravitation, but
the English term "tidal wave" refers to what is now called
a tsunami. Perhaps it was once thought to be just a
sudden rush of the tide. It certainly is a misnomer, which
is why the term tsunami is now used.
Local newscasters here seem to pronounce "tsunami" as
though the |t| is silent. I don't seem to have trouble pronouncing
all the letters. Is this the normal pronunciation in English?
Should I even care?
--Ph. D.
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