The word ‘pizza’ /ˈpiːtsə/ is pronounced as “PEE-t-suh,” emphasizing the long “ee” sound and ending with a soft “uh.”
Another word marijuana, commonly associated with cannabis, is pronounced as “mair-uh-WAH-nuh,” with stress on the second syllable.
However, it’s important to note that pronunciation can vary in different English-speaking regions.
Let’s take a step further to look at Greenwich /’ɡrɪnɪdʒ/, often associated with the Royal Observatory and as the starting point of the Prime Meridian.
It is pronounced “GRIN-ij.” The “w” is silent, and the emphasis falls on the first syllable.
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A staple of lunch menus worldwide is called sandwich. “Sandwich” is pronounced “SAND-wich,” stressing the first syllable and pronouncing the “w” sound subtly.
‘Sandwich’ is popularly pronounced without the /d/ sound. However, it is still correct to pronounce it as /’san(d)wɪtʃ,ˈsan(d)wɪdʒ/.
“Croissant” is a word of French origin that has made its way into English. Its pronunciation can be a bit tricky for English speakers due to its French roots. In English, it’s commonly pronounced as “kruh-SAHNT” or “kwah-SAHNT.”
The correct French pronunciation is closer to “kwah-SAHN” with a silent “t” at the end, but in English, the pronunciation often retains the final “t” sound, though it’s soft and subtle.
Another word is bologna /bəˈloʊni/ This type of Italian sausage is pronounced as “buh-LOH-nee,” diverging significantly from its spelling.
Lastly, when referring to scattered fragments or wreckage, debris /ˈdɛbriː/ is pronounced as “DEB-ree,” not “day-brees” as the spelling might suggest.
These words ‘pizza’, ‘bologna’, ‘marijuana’, ‘Greenwich’ etc exemplify how English pronunciation might not always align with its spelling.
The reasons behind these discrepancies often lie in the language’s historical development, borrowing from various languages or undergoing shifts in pronunciation over time.
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