How do you know whether it is a long vowel or short one?

Status
Not open for further replies.

ardmore

Junior Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2010
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Chinese
Home Country
China
Current Location
United States
When I read a sentence, how can you know if a vowel is the a long vowel or short one in a word?
Suppose we don't look up a dictionary?
 

BobK

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 29, 2006
Location
Spencers Wood, near Reading, UK
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
There are rules - that are almost reliable in distinguishing say 'mitt' from 'mite' (and 'might'). But the only way to distinguish say 'treason' (with /i:/) from 'treachery' (with /e/) is to use a dictionary (or be exposed to a lifetime's native-user input). And distinguishing between the 'long' vowels in 'daughter' and 'laughter' is something that can't be predicted anyway.

Is there any reason for choosing not to use a dictionary? ;-)

b
 
Last edited:

ardmore

Junior Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2010
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Chinese
Home Country
China
Current Location
United States
Well, sometimes I don't know how to read the name such as "vicar". The name can not be found in the dictionary.
I believe that there is a rule.
 

5jj

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 14, 2010
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
Czech Republic
Current Location
Czech Republic
The word 'vicar' appears in most dictionaries.

Most dictionaries do not list names, though many can be found in the Longman Pronunciation Dictionary and the Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary.
 

BobK

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 29, 2006
Location
Spencers Wood, near Reading, UK
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
Well, sometimes I don't know how to read the name such as "vicar". The name can not be found in the dictionary.
I believe that there is a rule.
Good for you! vicar - /vɪkǝ/ ; mica - /maɪkǝ/ ; chic - /ʃi:k/. There are patterns, but rules...?

b
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top