Results 1 to 8 of 8
Like Tree4Likes
  • 1 Post By SoothingDave
  • 3 Post By 5jj

Thread: silent /p/

  1. #1
    celtaflorida is offline Junior Member
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • Student or Learner
      • Native Language:
      • Czech
      • Home Country:
      • Czech Republic
      • Current Location:
      • United States
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Posts
    39

    Default silent /p/

    Greetings.
    I'd like to know if there is rule for consonant /p/ to be silent as in psoriasis, or psychology. Does it have anything to do with the letter /s/? I would appreciate an explanation.
    Thanks.

  2. #2
    SoothingDave is offline VIP Member
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • Interested in Language
      • Native Language:
      • English
      • Home Country:
      • United States
      • Current Location:
      • United States
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Posts
    7,318

    Default Re: silent /p/

    Since English is your native language, it shouldn't be such a big problem for you.
    emsr2d2 likes this.

  3. #3
    celtaflorida is offline Junior Member
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • Student or Learner
      • Native Language:
      • Czech
      • Home Country:
      • Czech Republic
      • Current Location:
      • United States
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Posts
    39

    Default Re: silent /p/

    Thanks, but you failed to explain the grammatical rules.

  4. #4
    5jj's Avatar
    5jj
    5jj is offline Moderator
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • Retired English Teacher
      • Native Language:
      • British English
      • Home Country:
      • England
      • Current Location:
      • Czech Republic
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    24,038

    Default Re: silent /p/

    There are no rules. Most of the words that begin with 'ps' come from Greek, and originally began with the Greek letter psi. This was pronounced roughly like /ps/, an unacceptable combination at the beginning of words in English; so, the /p/ disappeared.
    Context is important. Please provide enough for us to be able to deal effectively with your question.
    Your thread title should include all or part of the word/phrase being discussed.
    If you just want to know the meaning of a word, try OneLook Dictionary Search first.


  5. #5
    Tdol is offline Editor, UsingEnglish.com
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • English Teacher
      • Native Language:
      • British English
      • Home Country:
      • UK
      • Current Location:
      • Philippines
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Posts
    38,633

    Default Re: silent /p/

    It's also usually silent in Phnom Penh for the same reason- it's hard to say, though this comes from a different language.

  6. #6
    birdeen's call is offline VIP Member
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • Student or Learner
      • Native Language:
      • Polish
      • Home Country:
      • Poland
      • Current Location:
      • Poland
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    5,099

    Default Re: silent /p/

    It's silent in "Ptolemy" too, for similar reasons.

  7. #7
    raindoctor is offline Member
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • Other
      • Native Language:
      • Swahili
      • Home Country:
      • Kenya
      • Current Location:
      • United States
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Posts
    179

    Default Re: silent /p/

    In a way, yes, it has to do with /s/. For instance, clusters like /pl/, /pr/ and /pw/ are permitted. So, p + any approximant other than /j/ is permitted.

  8. #8
    5jj's Avatar
    5jj
    5jj is offline Moderator
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • Retired English Teacher
      • Native Language:
      • British English
      • Home Country:
      • England
      • Current Location:
      • Czech Republic
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    24,038

    Default Re: silent /p/

    Quote Originally Posted by raindoctor View Post
    For instance, clusters like /pl/, /pr/ and /pw/ are permitted. So, p + any approximant other than /j/ is permitted.
    /p/ can be followed by /j/ - pew, pewter, dispute, etc. I can't at the moment think of any /pw/ combinations in English
    Context is important. Please provide enough for us to be able to deal effectively with your question.
    Your thread title should include all or part of the word/phrase being discussed.
    If you just want to know the meaning of a word, try OneLook Dictionary Search first.


Similar Threads

  1. silent R
    By maiabulela in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 15-Nov-2010, 21:51
  2. when (H) is silent?
    By Layo0ol in forum Pronunciation and Phonetics
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 09-Mar-2010, 12:43
  3. Silent H
    By Arleanwest in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 30-Oct-2009, 15:20
  4. silent/ly
    By GUEST2008 in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 22
    Last Post: 18-Sep-2009, 23:33
  5. Letter R silent or not silent?
    By Anne59 in forum Pronunciation and Phonetics
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 19-Nov-2007, 09:31

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Hotchalk

Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.1