Pronounciation of "the" ???

[j4mes_bond25]

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) ???

[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

[j4mes_bond25]

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.

[MrPedantic]

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

[Tdol]

I agree with MrP- I would say 'thee' before a consonant for emphasis, though for that alone.

[Hanabi]

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.

[MyLastestPlague]

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