From colin@xxxxxxxx.xxxxx.xx.xxx Sat Apr 10 14:58:34 1999 X-Digest-Num: 110 Message-ID: <44114.110.604.959273824@eGroups.com> Date: Sat, 10 Apr 1999 22:58:34 +0100 From: Colin Fine la C.D.Wright@solipsys.compulink.co.uk cu cusku di'e >From: C.D.Wright@solipsys.compulink.co.uk > >OK, now I'm confused. I've downloaded a copy of the >textbook to check on a few things (my copies of the >reference grammar haven't arrived yet. Bob ??) and >I've just re-read the bit about pronunciation. In >particular, the letter "a". Here's a complete clip: > You must remember that Lojban being an international language, its materials are written firmly in American vau zo'o. > >and the bit that *really* confuses me is the line: > >txt_bk> a /ah/ 'top', 'father' patfu /PAHT,foo/ > >To me, "top" and "father" have nothing in common, >and, in particular, to me, the "a" in "father" sounds >just like the "a" in "sofa". For most people on the ropno side of the pond "top" and "father" have nothing in common; but nor, I suggest do many people pronounce the in "sofa" like that in "father". (I do so pronounce the in 'tonic sol-fa') > >So, just how *does* one pronounce the "a" ?? >Which of the following gives the best approximation? > > "top", "often", "off", "octet", "October" > "gas", "grab", "dab", "action", "actual" > "tug", "mug", "undo", "father", "money" > For most in southern England, "father" does indeed provide the best guide. "tug" is not too bad, being fairly low; but in other dialects, this vowel is more central, and confusable with the schwa. -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | Colin Fine 66 High Ash, Shipley, W Yorks. BD18 1NE, UK | | Tel: 01274 592696/0976 635354 e-mail: colin@kindness.demon.co.uk | | "Don't just do something! Stand there!" | | - from 'Behold the Spirit' (workshop) | -----------------------------------------------------------------------