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Usenet Posted 23 years ago
English in UK
Thut
Hi all,
A problem with the English language is that the spelling "that" is used to represent two different meanings with two different pronunciations. While it is not unique in this, it seems to be by far the most common example, and people reading to a crowd are often tripped up by this word, especially when it appears at the end of a line or page.
For example ...
"I could see that there was a problem coming."
... and ...
"I could see that problem coming"
... are sentences in which no amount of previous context could give you any clue as to how "that" should be pronounced, so the speaker ends up stumbling in a humiliated fashion over the second half of the sentence, and usually ends up repeating the entire sentence using the correct pronunciation.
Since the meanings of the stressed "that" and the unstressed "that" are quite distinct, I believe that there is a case for respelling the unstressed word to "thut", since it rhymes with the way "but" is generally pronounced.
I am not normally into spelling reform, but "that" creates a unique problem for public speakers, so I'm wondering if any academics have ever suggested this?
TIA.
-- John Rowland - Spamtrapped Transport Plans for the London Area, updated 2001 http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/7069/tpftla.html A man's vehicle is a symbol of his manhood. That's why my vehicle's the Piccadilly Line - It's the size of a county and it comes every two and a half minutes
A problem with the English language is that the spelling "that" is used to represent two different meanings with two different pronunciations. While it is not unique in this, it seems to be by far the most common example, and people reading to a crowd are often tripped up by this word, especially when it appears at the end of a line or page.
For example ...
"I could see that there was a problem coming."
... and ...
"I could see that problem coming"
... are sentences in which no amount of previous context could give you any clue as to how "that" should be pronounced, so the speaker ends up stumbling in a humiliated fashion over the second half of the sentence, and usually ends up repeating the entire sentence using the correct pronunciation.
Since the meanings of the stressed "that" and the unstressed "that" are quite distinct, I believe that there is a case for respelling the unstressed word to "thut", since it rhymes with the way "but" is generally pronounced.
I am not normally into spelling reform, but "that" creates a unique problem for public speakers, so I'm wondering if any academics have ever suggested this?
TIA.
-- John Rowland - Spamtrapped Transport Plans for the London Area, updated 2001 http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/7069/tpftla.html A man's vehicle is a symbol of his manhood. That's why my vehicle's the Piccadilly Line - It's the size of a county and it comes every two and a half minutes
Top answer
[nq:1]Hi all, A problem with the English language is that the spelling "that" is used to represent two different ... [/nq] Both are pronounced "that" with a short 'a'. Thut is never used.
- [nq:1]Hi all, A problem with the English language is that the spelling "that" is used to represent two different ...
- [/nq] Both are pronounced "that" with a short 'a'.
- Thut is never used.
- Dave Fawthrop
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4 Answers
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[nq:1]Hi all, A problem with the English language is that the spelling "that" is used to represent two different ... "that" creates a unique problem for public speakers, so I'm wondering if any academics have ever suggested this?[/nq]
Both are pronounced "that" with a short 'a'. Thut is never used.
Dave Fawthrop
Both are pronounced "that" with a short 'a'. Thut is never used.
Dave Fawthrop
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[nq:2]Hi all, represent two different meanings with two different pronunciations. ... so I'm wondering if any academics have ever suggested this?[/nq]
[nq:1]Both are pronounced "that" with a short 'a'. Thut is never used. Dave Fawthrop I ... say may be true for Yorkshire and many other places or accents 'never' is too strong a word to use.[/nq]
Personally I do not think that the spelling
[nq:1]Both are pronounced "that" with a short 'a'. Thut is never used. Dave Fawthrop I ... say may be true for Yorkshire and many other places or accents 'never' is too strong a word to use.[/nq]
Personally I do not think that the spelling
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[nq:2] Both are pronounced "that" with a short 'a'. Thut is never used. Dave Fawthrop [/nq]
[nq:1]I am sorry, Dave, but I beg to differ. The unstressed form of 'that' is certainly used in parts of ... 'never' is too strong a word to use. Personally I do not think that the spelling needs to be reformed.[/nq]
Hm? Just think of all the new spellings we could have for all the different ways i
[nq:1]I am sorry, Dave, but I beg to differ. The unstressed form of 'that' is certainly used in parts of ... 'never' is too strong a word to use. Personally I do not think that the spelling needs to be reformed.[/nq]
Hm? Just think of all the new spellings we could have for all the different ways i
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[nq:2] used to While it example, and especially when you ... is never used. Dave Fawthrop [/nq]
[nq:1]I am sorry, Dave, but I beg to differ. The unstressed form of 'that' is certainly used in parts of ... 'never' is too strong a word to use. Personally I do not think that the spelling needs to be reformed.[/nq]
"That" is only one of numerous words with both a "strong" (i.e. stressed) form
[nq:1]I am sorry, Dave, but I beg to differ. The unstressed form of 'that' is certainly used in parts of ... 'never' is too strong a word to use. Personally I do not think that the spelling needs to be reformed.[/nq]
"That" is only one of numerous words with both a "strong" (i.e. stressed) form
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