In my area of the country (Pittsburgh, PA), we have a very special way of talking. People born and raised here have an unusual accent known as “Pittsburghese.” People who are not from this area instantly hear this accent and detect differences that include: word and phrase substitutions; inaccurate vowel pronunciation; and use of non-standard grammar.
One of the most obvious hallmarks of Pittsburghese is the way the vowel /ow/ is pronounced. This particular vowel is actually two vowels that glide together to make a new sound called a diphthong. In this case, the two vowels are /ah/ as in “pot” and /o/ as in “joke.” Say the two vowels slowly and you will make the /ow/ sound as in “out.” In Pittsburghese, the second sound is omitted so the word “down” sounds like “dahn.”
Do you want to be called a “Polished Speaker?” One characteristic of a polished speaker is enunciating clearly!
The acceptable pronunciation of any word is determined exclusively by its usage in the general population. But a dictionary can be a valuable tool to learn how to pronounce words. Pronunciation in the dictionary is represented by symbols of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). If you’re not familiar with IPA, each symbol in the IPA stands for one sound. This is different from our regular alphabet in which one symbol stands for many sounds. For instance, the sound /a/ can be produced as in bad, bade, and ball. Mastering the IPA system will assist you in many ways, particularly when you need to look up a word.
Have you ever been told “I can’t understand you?” The first time it happens, it is understandable. But what if it happens to you over and over again? Is it you or is it your listener? There are five reasons why someone can’t understand you.
Here is a checklist you can use to self-assess the problem if you are frequently experiencing this problem. Usually, at least one item is the culprit but a combination is also plausible:
Does you speech need a tune-up? The way in which you speak says a lot about you. There are many aspects of speech, language, and voice that personalize your speech. In this blog, we are going to talk about pronunciation and diction. Pronunciation can indicate where you grew up and diction can quickly identify your level of education, personal tastes, and social background. Pronouncing words correctly can make you sound like a polished professional.
In my area of the country (Pittsburgh, PA), we have a very special way of talking. People born and raised here have an unusual accent known as “Pittsburghese.” People who are not from this area instantly hear this accent and detect differences that include: word and phrase substitutions; inaccurate vowel pronunciation; and use of non-standard grammar.
Do you want to be called a “Polished Speaker?” One characteristic of a polished speaker is enunciating clearly!
