Pronunciations for "A","E",and "I".

Question

After I've met the man from England, I deeply realize that my pronunciations on many English words are terribly wrong. These days whenever I have time, I look into the English words I've known one by one through a dictionary and check my pronunciation again. Ooh! But there are still so many English words that I have to correct my pronunciation. My problem is like this,

Application ?pl?ke??n - ?pl?ke??n(The pronunciation I've been doing up to now)
Apprehensive ?pr?hens?v - ?pr?hens?v(The pronunciation I've been doing up to now)
Association ?so??ie??n - ?so??ie??n(The pronunciation I've been doing up to now)

I've found a lot of the words I've been wrong pronouncing. Perhaps later I would find more words I have to correct my pronunciation. Uhh.

Could you help me a little bit for this problem? Just giving me hints would be okay.

[1] Do I have to check pronunciations on all of the words I know by English dictionary? Is it the best way? I feel it would take really a long time.

[2] The spelling, "A", "E", "I" pronounce "?"/"?"/"a"/"e?", "?","i","?", or "i","ai".
Is there some regular rules for distinguishing these pronunciations? Like which cases do I have to pronounce "?", not "a"? Could you give me a hint?

[3] Why do you not pronounce the words as alphabet's sound? Is it related to the origin of the words? If yes, could you explain it to me a little bit? I think, If I understand this point, I could more easily memorize pronunciations of each words.

Thank you in advance for your teaching and explanation.

Fivejedjon · Accepted Answer

Son JamesDo I have to check pronunciations on all of the words I know by English dictionary? Is it the best way? I feel it would take really a long time.

It's the only sure way. If you bookmark a good dictionary, you'll be able to find not only definitions and phonemic transcriptions, but also to hear the standard British and American pronunciations of the word - http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/application_1

Son JamesIs there some regular rules for distinguishing these pronunciations?

I'm afraid not.

Son James[3] Why do you not pronounce the words as alphabet's sound? Is it related to the origin of the words? If yes, could you explain it to me a little bit? I think, If I understand this point, I could more easily memorize pronunciations of each words.

The historical reasons are fairly complex, and don't lead to a regular set of rules. It's simpler to learn the pronunciation of each new word as you meet it.

You might find this interesting: http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/redirect-to/?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2FWhen-Vowels-Together-V2-0-ebook%2Fdp%2FB00CD1YXJI%2Fref%3Dla_B009PLTOFW_1_2%3Fie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1366378978%26sr%3D1-2

GPY · Answer

Son James Like which cases do I have to pronounce "?", not "a"?

"a" often degenerates to /?/ in unstressed syllables. I think /?/ is never used in stressed syllables.

If you look at the pronunciation of "application" at http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/application, /?æpl?'ke???n/, you'll see a secondary stress marked on the first syllable; this is why it does not become /?/. On the other hand, the first syllable of "assocation" is unstressed, so it degenerates to /?/. Not all dictionaries mark secondary stress.

Of course, this won't be much practical help if you have to consult the dictionary anyway to find the stress patterns, but it may be of interest.

CalifJim · Answer

GPY"a" often degenerates to /?/ in unstressed syllables.

Actually any vowel can "degenerate" in the unstressed position. Degenerate! HA! I like that.

GPYI think /?/ is never used in stressed syllables.

Exactly. If English had no unstressed syllables (fanciful thought), there would be no need for the symbol /?/ to transcribe it.

GPYthis won't be much practical help if you have to consult the dictionary anyway to find the stress patterns

Excellent point. Sad, but true.

CJ

CalifJim · Answer

Son JamesCould you help me a little bit for this problem? Just giving me hints would be okay.

It seems you need more information and practice on two points.

1. How to make a guess about where the stressed syllables are in an English word.
2. The schwa ( /?/ ), which goes in most of the unstressed syllables.

For the first point, note that certain suffixes usually give clues about the position of the stress. For example, the stress is usually just before the -ity ending (gravity, electricity, levity, scarcity), just before the -tion ending (nation, position, solution), on the -ese ending (for languages) (Japanese, Chinese, Burmese), and so on. There are many endings that help to locate stress.

Google 'stressed syllables in English' to find more information on this topic.

On the second point, you might find the following English forum posts on the schwa worth reading, even if some of the material there is not directly related to your question.

You may find all of this interesting in an academic way, but try to remember that there is no substitute for simply imitating the pronunciation of native speakers if you want to learn correct and natural pronunciation.

CJ

Son James · Answer

"Don't lead to a regular set of rules. It's simpler to learn the pronunciation of each new word as you meet it". Ah! I immediately get to like this words of yours so much. If I met this words when I was young, my life now would be more wonderful! I've felt your rich experience for a life and an education. I want to keep the words in my mind and apply to other parts as well. Thank you so much for your teaching and advice,fivejedjon

Son James · Answer

In fact, your words are very interesting and very helpful. Thank you so much for your answer, GPY<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/10.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/10.gif' alt='Emotion: embarrassed'/>

Son James · Answer

You have explained it to me very concretely. I felt your warm mind and really appreciate for your kind mind. I will read the linked threads again and again. Thank you for your teaching, CJ<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/10.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/10.gif' alt='Emotion: embarrassed'/>

Pronunciations for "A","E",and "I".

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