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Dokterjokkebrok Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Origin pronunciation def. art. and indef. art.
Hi there,
I was wondering about the following matter:
Why do we use the indef. art. a -> /?/ before words that start with a consonant sound?
And why do we use the indef. art. an ->/?n/ before words that start with a vowel sound?
The same with the definite article – pronounced like /ð?/ and /ði/
Does someone know if there's a phonetic/phonological or any other reason forthis phenomenon?
I've searched through a whole lot of literature to find out about this, but so far I haven't found anything yet.
Thank you for your reply/replies.
Jordy
I was wondering about the following matter:
Why do we use the indef. art. a -> /?/ before words that start with a consonant sound?
And why do we use the indef. art. an ->/?n/ before words that start with a vowel sound?
The same with the definite article – pronounced like /ð?/ and /ði/
Does someone know if there's a phonetic/phonological or any other reason forthis phenomenon?
I've searched through a whole lot of literature to find out about this, but so far I haven't found anything yet.
Thank you for your reply/replies.
Jordy
Top answer
I'm guessing here, but I think it is simply because pronouncing two consecutive vowel sounds is a bit of a tongue twister and disrupts the flow.
- I'm guessing here, but I think it is simply because pronouncing two consecutive vowel sounds is a bit of a tongue twister and disrupts the flow.
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2 Answers
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I'm guessing here, but I think it is simply because pronouncing two consecutive vowel sounds is a bit of a tongue twister and disrupts the flow.
00
Hi,
I agree.
It's easy for me to say 'an egg'.
It's harder for me to say 'a egg'.
Clive
I agree.
It's easy for me to say 'an egg'.
It's harder for me to say 'a egg'.
Clive
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