ALPHABETICAL LIST. A List of Words, occurring in the Scriptures and the Liturgy, to be pronounced according to the authority of WALKER. Accep-table] Walker regretted, that, in his time, this word had shifted its accent from the second to the first syllable. It would have afforded him satisfaction to have known, that the principle which he recommended, has latterly so much prevailed, as to have nearly restored the original pronunciation. His general rule is, that when p or c occurs before t, in words of four syllables, or more than four, (as in perceptible, susceptible, corruptible, incorruptible, refractory, refectory, perfunctory, &c.) ease of utterance is much promoted by laying the accent on the syllable ending with the p or c.] And] The faulty conversion of and into end, is sometimes heard among those who wish to avoid the opposite fault of making and emphatic.] Answer, ănser Ant, (a as in fat) Any, en-ny Apostle, apos-sl (o as in not) Apron, a-purn Any] Refer to the remarks under the word 'many.' If there is reason for continuing to pronounce that word menny, enny will be admitted on the score of affinity.] Either] The general sound of ei in English words is a or e, there being only two words, height and sleight, in which it has the sound of i. To give it this sound in either and neither is a modern fashion, contrary to the strongest analogies, and discountenanced by most orthoepists and many public speakers, who agree in preferring ether and nether.] Everlasting] In this word, the primary accent may be transferred to the first syllable of 'ever,' if the sentiment should require it. Grant's Gram. p. 167. God, (o as in not) Gold, (o as in no) Gourd, goarde G. Great, grate God] The short o and the d must be distinctly sounded, so that the word may never be corrupted into Gad, Gaud, Gode, or Got.] Great] Custom is so decided in pronouncing ea in this word like ea in pear and bear, that to sound it otherwise, is generally considered affectation That the haul] Walker considers this pronunciation gross and vulgar. word has hitherto been generally so pronounced, is probable, from its being derived from the French verb haler, in which the a has the sound of au; and being introduced at a very early period, the foreign sound would be retained, without any reference to the spelling. The common pronunciation of the word is preferable likewise for the sake of distinguishing it from 'to hail, to salute.'] inspe-ration] When i ends a syllable after the accent, it is always sounded like e; thus admi-ration, combi-nation, compi-lation, &c. are pronounced as if written ad'me-ration, com'be-nation, com'pe-lation, &c. |
