How Do You Pronounce “Centenary”

Northland Age, Volume 4, Issue 9, 30 November 1934, Page 8

How Do You Pronounce “Centenary”

The Melbourne Centenary celebrations raised the question of the proper pronunciation of the word “cen-

tenary.” The King in his broadcast pronounced it cenTEENary, and of course every broadcaster from British and Dominion stations afe loyal subjects followed the lead. From American stations came a different pronunciation, and most New Zealanders would—before the King spoke —have given it a still different pronunciation —probably cenTENary. One pronunciation of this word is CENtenary, the American pronunciation being CENteNAry, where a secondary accent comes on the third syllable. In “century” two unaccented syllables follow the accented first syllable; a'nother syllable is added—say “centurion”—and what happens? The reader unconsciously tells himself what happens ; the accent is shifted from the first syllable to the second —cenTUßion, so that two unaccented syllables still follow the accent, while an unaccented syllable precedes it.

One could easily enough say CENturion, but one does noCfesSimilarly, in “centenary” the accent sp|(ds to leave the first syllable and fix on the second —cenTENary, so that two unaccented syllables instead of three .'may follow the accent.

It looks as though cenTENary is along natural lines; many other parallel words may be found, and it is an interesting intellectual amusement thinking them out and comparing them. It is, moreover, an amusement that is philologically profitable. The other suggested pronunciation has the accent on . the second syllable, as in cenTENary, but lengthens the accented syllable—cenTEEN-, ary —the King’s choice; but thjs', seems to be ruled out by the of Language, in spite of “alleged expediency and alleged Latin models,” In centenary there is no indication such as centeenary, centeanary, to say that the vowel should be long (consider deanery), so, according to the Spirit of Language, it looks as though the pronunciation should be cenTENary, not cenTEENary, and

certainly Nevertheless, the lafl/riord is with that same Spirit of Language ; and we shall ! dfever hear that last word spoken. PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE i STATEMENT FOR OCTOBER Estates of a value of were reported and accepted for administration by the Public Trustee during October. On 31st March, 1934, the total value of the estates under administration by him was £60,760,493, and the new business for the seven months ended 31st October, .1934, was £3,620,135 compared with *£3, for the corresponding perisioSfi.lftst year. 1 {':• Slants' of administration made by tfeiJCourt in favour of the Public 'nSpretee numbered 111 for the month. During the month 348 new wills appointing the Public Trustee executor were deposited for safe custody by living testators and 328 existing wills were revised to provide for changes desired by testators. The total number of wills now held in the Public Trust Office is 82,701.