Miss Pronunciation XV

Not only has the accepted pronunciation of this word changed over the years, so too has the usage.

We're talking AMATEUR.

It should be pronounced as follows in the most correct form: am-e-te; or (easier to get onto the page in phonetics) æmətə.

Although this is the most correct pronunciation, it certainly would not be incorrect to pronounce it as amat-yure (æmətjə) or if you have a particularly lazy articulators, ama-chure (æmətʃə).

I've often heard the word used as some kind of insult - especially in this industry - however, always remember that the true meaning is that of someone who engages in a pursuit on an unpaid basis and even for the enjoyment and love of said pursuit.

That's pretty much all of us from time to time, no?

Miss Pronunciation XIV

Miss Pronunciation Bakes Up A Storm

 Things are hotting up in the kitchen for the opening of Margaret Fulton: Queen of the Dessert and Miss Pronunciation is sticking to the theme.

Her lovely friend and favourite artist, Ms. Lamb - of American-Australian heritage, has queried the following:

Scone - does it rhyme with Joan or John?
 

Both are deemed acceptable; however (yes, there is always an however), were I to be quite precise, in a 1998 poll 65% of British English speakers preferred the John version, with the rest preferring Joan.

Take your pick, Ms. Lamb! Just remember to follow Margaret Fulton’s advice “For soft scones, wrap in a tea towel as soon as they come from oven. For crusty scones, do not wrap, cool slightly on a wire rack”.

Don't miss out on tickets for this stunning show opening soon at Theatre Works. Book Here.

Miss Pronunciation XIII

With Compliments from Miss P.

 

This pronunciation quite often crosses my threshold.

It’s one of those tricky American English v. British English pronunciations. A simply four letter word:

WITH

Gen. American prefers wɪθ (unsounded at the end) whilst British English favours carrying the vibe all the way through the word.

For mine, unless you’re playing an American, stick to the vibration (wɪð) especially if you’re just starting to experiment with your voice, as this will assist in maintaining your underpinning resonance.