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Hi,(1) The acronym NATO is pronounced using the diphthong [ay] (like in 'bay"]? The acronym NASA does not use any diphthongs at all (the first syllable is pronounced like in "MAgic"?).I can see no reason for the first syllables in NASA and NATO to pronounce differently?(2)  The pronunciation of  the Thames (the UK) is far from being a spelling pronunciation...On the other hand, there is another Thames (in SE Canada afaik) whose name is pronounced quite "predictably" (from an English learner's point of view)...Again, how can these different pronunciations be explained?(3) Any more examples of this kind ( the Thames [UK] VS the Thames [Canada]) Hope my questions make sense....mus-te

Elanguest · Accepted Answer

You will find many examples of the "Tems"/"Thames" phenomenon in English colonies around the world. Probably the reason is that a river or other place was named by English settlers after a river or place in England, but subsequently, other settlers from other places (whose native language may not have been English) came to learn the name by reading it, and therefore pronounced it more phonetically, and as the original native-English settlers died out, the new form came to be accepted.

CalifJim · Answer

MUSCOVITEI can see no reason for the first syllables in NASA and NATO to be pronounced differently. ?

Me neither.

MUSCOVITEAgain, how can these different pronunciations be explained?

The "Thames" examples can be explained by saying that these are "transplanted words", and the people in the receiving culture are not in constant communication with those in the culture of origin. Not hearing the word often enough in its usual original pronunciation means that people make guesses on the basis of no more than its appearance in writing.

There are several city names in the U.S. that have unusual pronunciations. "Madrid" is an example. We say /m?'dr?d/ for the capital of Spain, but /'mædr?d/ for a town in the U.S. (Actually, "New Madrid, Missouri".)

CJ

MUSCOVITE · Answer

MUSCOVITEI can see no reason for the first syllables in NASA and NATO to be pronounced differently. ?

Me neither.

First and foremost, THANK YOU VERY MUCH for patiently correctly various ( grammatical, etc.) errors in my posts!
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT!!

CalifJimThere are several city names in the U.S. that have unusual pronunciations. "Madrid" is an example. We say /m?'dr?d/ for the capital of Spain, but /'mædr?d/ for a town in the U.S. (Actually, "New Madrid, Missouri".)

Interesting example! Thanks for pointing it out!

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