Re: Use of the long "a" in pronouncing the article

On Sun, 30 Apr 2006 00:20:25 GMT, Peter T. Daniels wrote:

Joseph W. Murphy wrote:

On Sat, 29 Apr 2006 21:15:46 GMT, Alan wrote:

"Joseph W. Murphy" wrote
I was listening to Bush speak (or rather read) a statement a few minutes
ago. He pronounced the English indefinite article "a" as long and not
like
"uh" which is how it's always done here.

It sounds kind of stilted when Bush pronounces it that way. And it
certainly doesn't sound Texan.

Is there anyplace in the U.S. where the indefinite article is ordinarily
pronounced long?

I've noticed that it's often pronounced that way by kids learning to read.

Right. I have too. And I've heard some people do it for emphasis or
contrast. But it always seemed stilted to me even when used that way.

Would you rather do a stressed shwa for emphasis? Would you analogously
do ['Vn] rather than ['&n] for a stressed "an"?

Hmmm, let's see ... "This is A book!" "No, this is a book!"

I like the stressed schwa better. It must be the Hoosier in me.

Joe Murphy
Boy Linguist
.

Relevant Pages

  • Use of the long "a" in pronouncing the article
    ... I was listening to Bush speak a statement a few minutes ... He pronounced the English indefinite article "a" as long and not like ... It sounds kind of stilted when Bush pronounces it that way. ... Is there anyplace in the U.S. where the indefinite article is ordinarily ...
    (sci.lang)
  • Re: Use of the long "a" in pronouncing the article
    ... He pronounced the English indefinite article "a" as long and not ... It sounds kind of stilted when Bush pronounces it that way. ... Is there anyplace in the U.S. where the indefinite article is ordinarily ... Would you rather do a stressed shwa for emphasis? ...
    (sci.lang)
  • Re: Use of the long "a" in pronouncing the article
    ... On Sat, 29 Apr 2006 21:15:46 GMT, Alan wrote: ... He pronounced the English indefinite article "a" as long and not ... It sounds kind of stilted when Bush pronounces it that way. ... Is there anyplace in the U.S. where the indefinite article is ordinarily ...
    (sci.lang)
  • Re: Use of the long "a" in pronouncing the article
    ... It sounds kind of stilted when Bush pronounces it that way. ... Is there anyplace in the U.S. where the indefinite article is ordinarily ... Would you rather do a stressed shwa for emphasis? ...
    (sci.lang)
  • Re: Use of the long "a" in pronouncing the article
    ... "Joseph W. Murphy" wrote ... He pronounced the English indefinite article "a" as long and not ... It sounds kind of stilted when Bush pronounces it that way. ... Is there anyplace in the U.S. where the indefinite article is ordinarily ...
    (sci.lang)