Return-Path: <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id g0SJnun26065; Mon, 28 Jan 2002 14:49:56 -0500 (EST) Date: Mon, 28 Jan 2002 14:49:56 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <OE43s3uyY3k0LESd99V00005baf@hotmail.com> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "pyewacket" <amy_shipley@hotmail.com> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-ESL:7052] "th" X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.50.4133.2400 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Status: O Content-Length: 1462 Lines: 28 Hello Amy... A friend of mine forwarded your question from the nifl listserve about predicting the pronunciation of "th" to me. Several years ago, I spent considerable time looking at the predictability of the pronunciation of consonant sounds in American English. I even tried to have a textbook dealing with this published, to no avail. So, in answer to your question, yes, the pronunciation of "th" is predictable and here are the rules. For this sound, we have to look at its position in a word. In initial position, the "th" is voiced in "function words". That is, pronouns, articles, demonstrative adjectives, etc. The list is finite and not very long. They, them, their, theirs, the, this, that, these, those, then, than, though, (although), thus, there, (therefore, thereby, etc.) (*the preposition *through seems to be the only exception.) In medial position, the "th" is voiced when followed by "er" or a final silent "e". feather, mother, brother and breathe, teethe, seethe, writhe, etc. Note: When I say "er", I mean the spelling, "er", not "or". "author" is not voiced!!! Also, notice how well the rule works with: south/ southern, north/northern. "th" is final position is voiceless with one exception: "smooth". Go figure! by the way, if anyone out there is interested in publishing a text that deals with predicting the pronunciation of consonants in American English, please contact me! Jeannette Bolivar <bolivar.1@osu.edu>
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