English Language Discussion Forums


Go Back   UsingEnglish.com ESL Forum > Learning English > Pronunciation and Phonetics

Quick Links
Sites for Teachers


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 30-Apr-2006, 22:42
j4mes_bond25's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Country: United Kingdom
Posts: 132
Current Location: non-exotic city of Leicester
First Language: English
Member Type: Student or Learner
j4mes_bond25 is on a distinguished road
Exclamation Pronounciation of "the" ???

Very strickly speaking, what could be the ABSOLUTELY RIGHT way of pronouncing "the".

I'm aware of the rule that "the" is pronounced as "Di:" (with a stressed long "i:" vowel), & if it's NOT followed by a vowel then it's pronounced merely as "D@" with "schwa".

Now, what I'm bit at sea about is when it's followed by a vowel, WHETHER the pronounciation of "i" vowel is longer stressed vowel, as in "si:t" (seat) or is it the shorter stressed vowel, as in pA:.ti (party) ???
Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
  #2  
Old 30-Apr-2006, 23:29
Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Country: England
Posts: 2,428
Current Location: SE England
First Language: British English
Member Type: Other
MrPedantic has a spectacular aura aboutMrPedantic has a spectacular aura aboutMrPedantic has a spectacular aura about
Default Re: Pronounciation of "the" ???

Hello JB

Before a vowel, I would use a short vowel as in "party"; but when "the" is lengthened for emphasis, I would use a long vowel, e.g.

1. It's the place to go.

— here, "the" sounds like "thee".

MrP
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-May-2006, 12:42
j4mes_bond25's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Country: United Kingdom
Posts: 132
Current Location: non-exotic city of Leicester
First Language: English
Member Type: Student or Learner
j4mes_bond25 is on a distinguished road
Exclamation Re: Pronounciation of "the" ???

Quote:
Originally Posted by MrPedantic
Hello JB
Before a vowel, I would use a short vowel as in "party"; but when "the" is lengthened for emphasis, I would use a long vowel, e.g.
1. It's the place to go.
— here, "the" sounds like "thee".
MrP
Would you say, the rules would stop us using "thee" especially BEFORE "place", after all, "p" in place is a "consonant" & "thee" sound ONLY occurs before a "vowel".

Well, at least, this is what an American dictionary www.dictionary.com says.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-May-2006, 22:45
Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Country: England
Posts: 2,428
Current Location: SE England
First Language: British English
Member Type: Other
MrPedantic has a spectacular aura aboutMrPedantic has a spectacular aura aboutMrPedantic has a spectacular aura about
Default Re: Pronounciation of "the" ???

Hello JB

Normally, yes, you wouldn't use "thee" before a consonant. But when you stress the "the" for some particular purpose, you can pronounce it as "thee".

MrP
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-May-2006, 02:32
Editor, UsingEnglish.com
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Country: UK
Posts: 27,067
Current Location: Phnom Penh
First Language: English
Member Type: English Teacher
Tdol has disabled reputation
Default Re: Pronounciation of "the" ???

I agree with MrP- I would say 'thee' before a consonant for emphasis, though for that alone.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-May-2006, 00:23
Newbie
 
Join Date: May 2006
Country: USA
Posts: 12
First Language: English
Hanabi is on a distinguished road
Default Re: Pronounciation of "the" ???

I'm a native, if I may help.

It doesn't really matter, nobody will say anything.

I don't always notice what I use.

Whatever is easier, the (thAh) is more common in my ears.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 15-May-2006, 23:14
Newbie
 
Join Date: May 2006
Country: america
Posts: 7
First Language: English
MyLastestPlague is on a distinguished road
Default Re: Pronounciation of "the" ???

i fine that when a try to emphazise the sentese like "its THEE place to go!" i use thee instead of "thah"
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
pronounciation, quotthequot

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
kissed - discussed: different pronounciation of ed ending? LUPITA Ask a Teacher 5 08-Mar-2006 23:43
ing pronounciation Cptclayt@graceba.net Ask a Teacher 1 15-Sep-2005 17:17
Pronounciation review - reading HaraKiriBlade Pronunciation and Phonetics 8 08-Jun-2005 12:36
pronounciation and many vs. lot of Anonymous Ask a Teacher 5 07-Jul-2004 20:31
about english pronounciation Anonymous Ask a Teacher 2 10-Mar-2004 20:06


All times are GMT. The time now is 02:51.


vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.3.0
Copyright © 2002 - 2009 UsingEnglish.com