As we conclude our look at the 1630s, we explore the events leading to Civil War in England and the expansion of the English colonies along the eastern coast of North America. We also examine the evolution of syllable stress in English and the variation in stress patterns in Modern English.
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Another really good episode! In just the past decade or so, I’ve noticed many people are now saying DIStribute and CONtribute. It seems to be happening in both British English and American English, and I would even say these pronunciations predominate now (at least in the media I listen to), although reference works have not taken notice. Fascinating that these were actually the earlier stress pattern. I wonder if any other words have shifted and then shifted back?!
Great episode as usual! I used to wonder about seeing “ev’ry” in Shakespeare; I never even noticed that we don’t actually pronounce that second e. Now I’m curious about other contractions. Why do we say “it’s” now instead of “’tis”? “‘Tis” would avoid the problem people have distinguishing between “it’s” and “its”.
4:35 “We either pronounce a syllable strong and clear […] or we pronounce it soft and weak…”
I don’t remember if you’ve explained that Americans are dropping the…ly in adverbs, but surely it’s not true for a podcast ABOUT GRAMMAR. 8D
Ouch! You got me.
I conceive schwa in English as an allophone—an alternate pronunciation—of all vowels.
The very name America runs from schwa to shining schwa.
😊
Mr. Schweik, good one! I’m going to have to remember that one.
How could you avoid AL-uminium?
Thank you for another terrific episode of the confusing world of “English.”