Over the course of the 1500s, English spelling started to become standardized, but the pronunciation of the language continued to change. By the early 1600s, English scholars noticed that spellings no longer reflected the way words were pronounced, and they recommended phonetic reforms. In this episode, we examine how English spelling reformers described the pronunciation of English in the early 1600s, and we also explore how Modern English spellings reflect the phonetic history of words.
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You didn’t have anything to say about F, but in past episodes you explained how we got the spelling of the word “of”. When was that?
It was in ‘Episode 159: Elizabethan Voices’ – about a third of the way through.
Has it really been thirteen years? Wow! I’ve been listening and learning for a long while. I think I found this podcast a couple of years in and “binge-listened” until I caught up. Thanks for doing what you do!
I want to say something about the a. In my accent sad and bad do not rhyme. Bad, glad, and mad are said with one version and all other words ending in ad rhyme with sad. On the other had, aside from man, can, and began, all other words ending with an use the vowel of man. Including the noun and non-modal verb can. I believe this is characteristic of the Philly accent. If I try to describe the difference, I might say bayd, glayd, mayd, fayn, mayn, tayn, etc.
Excellent episode. I really enjoyed the history of each letter and its pronunciations. It could be a reference work.
I was looking at the Color Vowel Chart – are you familiar with it? Modern American pronunciation has 15 vowel sounds, according to that chart. It looks like you will cover all 15 by the time you reach the end of the alphabet.
I started listening to the podcast three or four years ago. I’ m understanding and learning so much and I’ mvery greatful to you. Have you ever thought about pubblishing a book to summarize all this? It’s true that you have to listen to sounds to understand, but it would be very interesting.
Thank you, Kevin, I have listened to every one and encouraged others to listen in. Always something new I learn from each programme; note the British spelling! I imagine you’ll do a program on Noah Webdter one day.
Thank you, Kevin, I have listened to every one and encouraged others to listen in. Always something new I learn from each programme; note the British spelling! I imagine you’ll do a program on Noah Webster one day.