Problems in Editing an American Phonetic Dictionary

APRONOUNCING dictionary of American speech, using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), is now in preparation by the writers. It is felt that the proposed dictionary is important enough to justify some public discussion before all the possibly controversial policies are decided. The editors therefore ask readers of American Speech, both phoneticians and teachers of speech, to express their judgment freely on the samples presented below. It is hoped that there may be some discussion at the 1936 meeting of the Modern Language Association. Following are some samples of words as they might appear in the proposed dictionary. Two considerations are important in a pronouncing dictionary: (1) The symbols should be as intelligible and their use as simple as possible for the average reader; (2) Though the words are given in isolation in the vocabulary, yet the use of the symbols should be easily applicable to transcription of connected speech, especially in the classroom. Criticism of the samples should take into consideration the main purpose of the dictionary, which is not to represent minutely all varieties of even 'good' American pronunciation, but merely to show the principal classes of cultivated American pronunciation in 'the speech of well-bred ease.' The primary purpose of the samples is to elicit criticism and suggestion as to what symbols may best be used. The editors will welcome, however, any suggestions as to the pronunciation of classes of words. The editors will welcome suggestions for a name to designate the type of speech current in the regions from western New England to the Pacific coast (except the South) including much of the Southwest and the greater part of Canada. The terms Western, Midwestern, Central, Northern, all seem to be deficient in accuracy. Are there good reasons for not using Krapp's term 'General American,' already in rather widespread use? In the samples the 'Western' type is left unlabeled. At entries where E (East) or S (South) or both are given, the unlabeled pronunciation is valid for the rest of the United States and Canada

Linguistics · Computer Science · Lexicography and Language Studies · History · Philosophy

• How shall we teach pronunciation

  Ralph G Nichols•Quarterly Journal of Speech•1941

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• Standards of correct pronunciation 1

  George P Wilson, George Wilson•Quarterly Journal of Speech•1937

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