Lamp and Lamb, is there a rule?

Question

Hello,as you know, in the word LAMP the ending consonant P is pronounced, while in the word LAMB, although it differs just by one letter, we don't pronounce the ending consonant. I could provide other examples if needed.1st question:I was wondering if there's any rule we can apply to know when pronunciation of the ending consonant is needed and when it is not.2nd question:Also, consider this other example:LAMB and LAM. Two different words but same pronunciation. Assume someone is dictating me, how am I going to not confuse one for the other (i know, the context could help, but let's assume the context is one exact word, lamb or lam)?Thanks

Rover_KE · Accepted Answer

1. There is no rule. We just have to learn them.

2. In the unlikely event of there being no context you'd just have to ask the person dictating to you which word was meant.

Rover

Luca Borzani · Answer

thank you <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/21.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/21.gif' alt='Emotion: yes'/>

CalifJim · Answer

Luca BorzaniI was wondering if there's any rule we can apply to know when pronunciation of the ending consonant is needed and when it is not.

There are very few cases where a final consonant is not pronounced.

1. The "b" in final "mb" is silent.

lamb, dumb, bomb, limb, plumb, numb, jamb, crumb, climb, comb, womb, tomb
___

2. The "n" in final "mn" is silent.

autumn, hymn, column, condemn, solemn, ****
___

3. The "gh" in final "igh" is silent.

high, sigh, sleigh

And in most words with final "ough".

though, although, thorough, dough, bough, plough

But "gh" is pronounced as an "f" in enough, rough, cough (as if "enuff", "ruff", "coff")
___

4. The "t" in final "et" is silent in French borrowings. ("et" is pronounced as if "ay")

ballet, crochet, Chevrolet, bouquet, sachet, croquet, gourmet, ricochet
_________________

The "b" or "n" or "gh" or "t" remains silent even when another syllable such as "ing" or "er" is added.

combing, climber, plumber, bombing, climbing, condemned, damned, ricocheting
_________________________________________________________

Those may be all of them. If I think of more, I'll add them. Or maybe others can add to the list.

Luca BorzaniAssuming someone is dictating to me, how am I not going to ~~not~~ confuse one for the other ...?

There is no way of knowing unless the person dictating gives you a synonym or a clue.

jam (marmalade)
jamb (door jamb)

CJ

Luca Borzani · Answer

really helpful answer, thank you

Anonymous · Answer

In Lamb: both m and b are voiced consonants with the same mouth position for pronunciation. So,  b is silent. On the other hand, in Lamp:  m is voiced  but p is unvoiced consonant with similar but different mouth   position. So, p is not silent here.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousIn Lamb: both m and b are voiced consonants with the same mouth position for pronunciation. So, b is silent. On the other hand, in Lamp: m is voiced but p is unvoiced consonant with similar but different mouth position. So, p is not silent here.

You may want to think this over a little more. The mouth position (point of articulation) is the same for m, b, and p, so that doesn't help explain the pronunciation difference between 'lamb' and 'lamp'. The fact that m and b are voiced and p is unvoiced is closer to an explanation; however, you run into trouble if you try to extend that idea to the analogous case of n, d, and t. According to your proposal, the d in 'lend' should be silent while the t in 'lent' should be pronounced. Only half of that is true. On the other hand, your hypothesis works out well for the ng, g, k group — in an odd sort of way.

CJ

Lamp and Lamb, is there a rule?

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