The Truth about the English Language and What It Sounds Like

 When English was born, it was a combination of a very rough Anglo + Saxon dialect.  We call this Old English.  It was derived (created from) the language of a German tribe. “ What Are the Origins of the English Language?” Merriam-Webster.com. 11 March 2010 < webster.com/help/faq/history.html

 Have you ever seen German words like “Guten Morgen” and “Guten Tag?”  These phrases mean “Good Morning” and “Good Day.”  They are pronounced pretty much the way they are spelled. “ What Are the Origins of the English Language?” Merriam-Webster.com. 11 March 2010 < webster.com/help/faq/history.html

 You probably can’t read this excerpt because you don’t know what some of the words and letters are in order to know how they sound… Sample Old English Passage: Eft he axode, hu ðære ðeode nama wære þe hi of comon. Him wæs geandwyrd, þæt hi Angle genemnode wæron.

 Philologists estimate that sometime between the 12 th and 15 th Centuries, French and Latin got mixed into the Anglo-Saxon Old English.  SO MANY CHANGES TOOK PLACE, that we call this language “Middle English.”

 The French language DOES NOT follow phonetic rules as closely.  Some letters go SILENT.  Some letters have MANY SOUNDS.  Some letters have SOUNDS THAT CHANGE when blended with other letters. Common French Phrases: Comment tu-va? A tout à l'heure! Enchanté(e)

Here’s a Middle English excerpt: In þat lond ben trees þat beren wolle, as þogh it were of scheep; whereof men maken clothes, and all þing þat may ben made of wolle. Notice That Notice That:  Some letter types and words are gone.  Some silent letters are included.  The phonetics (letter system for writing) and phonics system (system of sounds) are connected.

 Quid agis?  How are you?  Gratias!  Thank You  Valeō  I’m fine; thanks.  Salūtātiō!  You’re Welcome! Notice:  NONE of these words LOOK like Anglo-Saxon.  NONE of these words SOUND like Anglo- Saxon.  IMAGINE how much these words CHANGED Anglo-Saxon!

As English speakers came into contact with speakers of many other languages (through travel), the “English” language:  Inherited NEW WORDS from those languages  Inherited NEW SOUNDS from those languages  Inherited NEW PHONETIC CHARACTERS like accents

Yes, that leaves you trying to pronounce and spell words that:  Look NOTHING like they sound  Look alike but are pronounced DIFFERENTLY  Include SILENT LETTERS  Include complicated CONSONANT BLENDS

 There are LONG and SHORT vowels  There are HARD and SOFT consonants  There are CONSONANT BLENDS  There are VOWEL BLENDS  There are SILENT LETTERS that CHANGE the sounds of other letters.  There are STRESSED and UNSTRESSED sounds.

 Short “A” Bat Ah What  Short “E” Wet Chew  Short “I” Clip Swift  Short “O” Stop Bought Boot  Short “U” Cut Yuck!  Long “A” Ate Wait Hay  Long “E” Bleach Sleep  Long “I” Swipe Climb  Long “O” Oat Ode  Long “U” Soup Blue Flu

 And the way you say it, will affect the way you spell it!!!  When it doubt about a new word, use a dictionary’s pronunciation key for help with pronunciation!!!

Today, we are going to pronounce some new words using a pronunciation key!!!

 Affidavit (\ ˌ a-f ə - ˈ dā-v ə t\)  Cavalry (\ ˈ ka-v ə l-rē\)  Electoral (\i- ˈ lek-t( ə -)r ə l\)  Heimlich (\ ˈ hīm-lik-\)  Lambaste (\lam- ˈ bāst\)  Mayonnaise (\ ˈ mā- ə - ˌ nāz\)  Nuptial (\ ˈ n ə p-sh ə l\)  Prerogative (\pri- ˈ rä-g ə -tiv\)  Respite (\ ˈ res-p ə t\)