kavyanagesh
Member
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2010
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
Hello!
I am new to this forum. I happened to bump into this site accidentally while I was looking for something else. One click led to another and boom! I got myself registered!
One of the key reasons why I registered myself was my insatiable hunger to get better at English.
I don't consider myself bad .But, I want to get better. I want to use the complex words, Idioms,Phrases etc....whatever English has to offer !!
Usage of such words just reinforces my confidence. ( Not tat I lack any of it ;-) ).
What I wish to ask in this Forum is about usage of certain letters in words which are not pronounced while speaking. In other words, Silent letters in certain words.
This query came up when I was in the US on a leisure trip. I was at a grocery store looking for Green Chillies (called so in India). When I asked one of the attendant's there, they gave me a look which was incomprehensible! As if, they had not heard such a name. I guess most of you here must be having the same reaction as the woman at the store did.
I was actually looking for Jalapeno Peppers!
When I asked her for 'Jalapeno Peppers instead, she still didn't seem to understand. I was perplexed at such a reaction. I just kept revisiting that incident hoping to find an answer for such a reaction.I was guessing, may be it was the accent. But, I actually don't have an accent. ( Neither the US nor the UK nor an Indian accent). My accent is neutralised. Later that day, my Brother told me the reason. He told me the way Jalapeno is pronounced.Until then, I used to pronounce the word at its face value (ie. with the 'J').We are not introduced to this word in India as this particular fruit/vegetable is not habitual to India.So the pronunciation. Not that I validate my wrong pronunciation. Just an insight!
This brings me to my question:
Why are certain words mostly with the letter 'J' silent? Eg. Jalapeno, Mojito, Jose (name )
How can a person who is new to the word decide on its pronunciation?
Is there a rule w.r.t such letters?
Please explain.
Hoping for members here to enlighten me on this.
Thanx In advance!
Kavya Nagesh
I am new to this forum. I happened to bump into this site accidentally while I was looking for something else. One click led to another and boom! I got myself registered!
One of the key reasons why I registered myself was my insatiable hunger to get better at English.
I don't consider myself bad .But, I want to get better. I want to use the complex words, Idioms,Phrases etc....whatever English has to offer !!
Usage of such words just reinforces my confidence. ( Not tat I lack any of it ;-) ).
What I wish to ask in this Forum is about usage of certain letters in words which are not pronounced while speaking. In other words, Silent letters in certain words.
This query came up when I was in the US on a leisure trip. I was at a grocery store looking for Green Chillies (called so in India). When I asked one of the attendant's there, they gave me a look which was incomprehensible! As if, they had not heard such a name. I guess most of you here must be having the same reaction as the woman at the store did.
I was actually looking for Jalapeno Peppers!
When I asked her for 'Jalapeno Peppers instead, she still didn't seem to understand. I was perplexed at such a reaction. I just kept revisiting that incident hoping to find an answer for such a reaction.I was guessing, may be it was the accent. But, I actually don't have an accent. ( Neither the US nor the UK nor an Indian accent). My accent is neutralised. Later that day, my Brother told me the reason. He told me the way Jalapeno is pronounced.Until then, I used to pronounce the word at its face value (ie. with the 'J').We are not introduced to this word in India as this particular fruit/vegetable is not habitual to India.So the pronunciation. Not that I validate my wrong pronunciation. Just an insight!
This brings me to my question:
Why are certain words mostly with the letter 'J' silent? Eg. Jalapeno, Mojito, Jose (name )
How can a person who is new to the word decide on its pronunciation?
Is there a rule w.r.t such letters?
Please explain.
Hoping for members here to enlighten me on this.
Thanx In advance!
Kavya Nagesh