THE KING'S ENGLISH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13726, 16 April 1908, Page 6

THE KING'S ENGLISH.

-©~- ———- - EDUCATION BOARD PROTESTS. At the meeting of the Education Board yesterday Mr. C. J. P,:rr took occasion to direct the attention of members to what he. termed "the very objectionable, and imperfect, accent among schoolchildren. ' .Many children, and particularly those at city schools, he said, while using correct English, mispronounced their- words frequently, end were gradually producing a Cockney or Sydney accent. Time, for instance, was called '■ tainie,'' and cow "caow." The average fifth or sixth standard boy's pronunciation was imperfect He broadened, the "a" in nearly all the words, and the "i" was never pronounced sharp, but nearly always "ni."' Members of the Board would recollect a statement made a few day.-, previously that only one out of some 18 or 19 teachers pronounced with correctness when speaking or reading, and lie thought the Board should set its face against any laxity in this r?spect. He as soon as lie could, to go through the public schools, and he would be glad of the company of some of the members of the lioard.

Mr. Greenaiade ; It is not so apparent, in country schools.

Mr. Edgecombe said he thought the evil began with the teachers themselves. For the most part mispronunciation was simply affectation in young girls. Mr. Garland quite agreed with the remarks made, and he thought the fault was one that required checking. The Chairman (Mr. L. J. Bagnali) said there, were other objectionable features as well. The aspirate was often misplaced, and words ending in "a" were givsn "er" —" idear" for example. There were teachers who were guilty of defective pronunciation, and whom it was very hard to persuade that they were wrong. There was the case of the'young lady who said she "did not care ioi caike, but would rather have gripes.'" (Laughter.) Mr. Parr : Is that one of our teachers? It was decided to obtain a report from the inspector on the matter.