History of Word Pronunciation: Once, Vacuum & More

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In summary, words like vacuum, knowledgeable, and knife have different pronunciations because they have evolved from different languages and time periods. Vacuum is a Latin word with a specific declension and pronunciation, while knowledgeable has its roots in early English and has changed over time. The pronunciation of words can also vary depending on regional dialects and accents.
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wolram
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How did words get there pronounciation, example, once, is not W,once,
knew is not K,new, why is vacuum, not vacume, or vakume?
 
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vacuum is a proper third declension Latin noun, stem vacu- nominative singular ending -um. Nominative plural ending -a, hence vacua; dative singular ending -o, hence in vacuo. A reification of the adverb vacuus -a -um meaning empty. In school Latin pronunciation it would be vock-ooo-oom, more casually vack-yoo-um, but vowel glides like that are notoriously elidable, so vack-yoom.
 
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Thankyou SA, but why is the (k) ie in knowledgeable added to the word,
it seems to have no meaning?
 
  • #4
wolram said:
Thankyou SA, but why is the (k) ie in knowledgeable added to the word,
it seems to have no meaning?


The k used to be pronounced when the word was part of early English (aka Anglo-Saxon). Compare know with Scottish ken and German kennen. The k- I can explain quickly, but the -ow I will have to research. Likewise knife (it was spelled cnif and pronounced k'niff). -ough in so many words was pronounced to rhyme with Scotish loch.
 

FAQ: History of Word Pronunciation: Once, Vacuum & More

1. How has the pronunciation of the word "once" changed over time?

The word "once" has undergone several pronunciation changes throughout history. In Old English, it was pronounced as "wans." During the Middle English period, it evolved to "ownes" and eventually to "oones." In Modern English, the pronunciation shifted to "wuns" and eventually to the current pronunciation of "wuhns."

2. What is the origin of the word "vacuum" and how has its pronunciation evolved?

The word "vacuum" comes from the Latin word "vacuus," meaning "empty." In Old English, it was pronounced as "wacuum," with a long "a" sound. Over time, the pronunciation evolved to "vack-yoom" and eventually to the current pronunciation of "vak-yoom."

3. Why are there differences in pronunciation between British and American English for words like "herb" and "aluminum"?

The differences in pronunciation between British and American English can be attributed to the Great Vowel Shift in the English language. This shift occurred during the 15th and 16th centuries and caused changes in the pronunciation of certain vowel sounds. The British pronunciation of "herb" with a silent "h" is closer to its French origin, while the American pronunciation with a pronounced "h" is closer to the Old English pronunciation.

4. How do linguists determine the original pronunciation of a word?

Linguists use various methods to determine the original pronunciation of a word. These include analyzing written records and manuscripts, studying the phonology and pronunciation rules of the language of origin, and comparing the word to its cognates in related languages.

5. Can the pronunciation of a word change over time?

Yes, the pronunciation of a word can change over time due to various factors such as cultural influences, language contact, and natural language evolution. These changes can be gradual or sudden and can result in differences in pronunciation between different regions and dialects.

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