Pronunciation
Sir, —What a aeplorable standard of speech one hears in the Parliamentary debates. Simple words which everybody should know are constantly and relentlessly mispronounced. The most common are “EKonomic” for
“economic,” “FYnance” for “finance” and “BASsic” for “basic.” but there are dozens more. One Minister last week was chattering away about “employ A YES” for ( presumably) “er- ploy ees ’ * and nearly all members seem to think that “estate” is stressed on the first syllable. One expects a better example than this. After all, these people talk for their living. Surely they can learn to use the tools of their trade. 1 would suggest that instead of worrying about “unparliamentary” words, the Speaker compile a list of “murdered” words for circulation among our legislators.—Yours, etc., POYNTIFORDA. [The pronounciation of at least one. of the examples given is optional.—Ed., “The Press.”]
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19580807.2.9.5
Bibliographic details
Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28658, 7 August 1958, Page 3
Word Count
140Pronunciation Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28658, 7 August 1958, Page 3
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