Pronunciation spelling
Encyclopedia
A pronunciation spelling of a word is a spelling different from the standard spelling, used to emphasize a particular pronunciation of the word. The spelling uses the regular spelling rules of the language. Most are nonce
coinages, but some have become standardised, e.g. gonna to represent the pronunciation of going to, as in I'm gonna catch you.
, punctuation
or letter case
may also be used, e.g. to indicate stress or syllabication
:
This offers a sometimes intuitive alternative to systems like the International Phonetic Alphabet
, which offer precise descriptions but need to be learned. However, it relies on the writer's encoding mapping to the same phoneme
s as the reader's; e.g.
might be adequate for a non-rhotic reader but not a rhotic one.
for conventions used by various English dictionaries.
s or idiolect
s, often to create an impression of backwardness or illiteracy. This is called literary dialect, or often called eye dialect
, though originally the latter term was applied only where the resulting pronunciation is the same as the standard one, e.g.,
is disputed, but the most common view is that it derives from "Oll Korrect", an 1830s comical spelling of "All Correct".
Such spellings may also be used for brand
ing, e.g., "Lite
" foods, Froot Loops
. See also sensational spelling
.
Nonce word
A nonce word is a word used only "for the nonce"—to meet a need that is not expected to recur. Quark, for example, was formerly a nonce word in English, appearing only in James Joyce's Finnegans Wake. Murray Gell-Mann then adopted it to name a new class of subatomic particle...
coinages, but some have become standardised, e.g. gonna to represent the pronunciation of going to, as in I'm gonna catch you.
Respelling
Pronunciation spellings may be used informally to indicate the pronunciation of foreign words or those whose spelling is irregular or not sufficient to deduce the pronunciation. This is called respelling. In such cases, typefaceTypeface
In typography, a typeface is the artistic representation or interpretation of characters; it is the way the type looks. Each type is designed and there are thousands of different typefaces in existence, with new ones being developed constantly....
, punctuation
Punctuation
Punctuation marks are symbols that indicate the structure and organization of written language, as well as intonation and pauses to be observed when reading aloud.In written English, punctuation is vital to disambiguate the meaning of sentences...
or letter case
Letter case
In orthography and typography, letter case is the distinction between the larger majuscule and smaller minuscule letters...
may also be used, e.g. to indicate stress or syllabication
Syllable
A syllable is a unit of organization for a sequence of speech sounds. For example, the word water is composed of two syllables: wa and ter. A syllable is typically made up of a syllable nucleus with optional initial and final margins .Syllables are often considered the phonological "building...
:
- "Diarrhoea" is pronounced DYE-uh-REE-a
This offers a sometimes intuitive alternative to systems like the International Phonetic Alphabet
International Phonetic Alphabet
The International Phonetic Alphabet "The acronym 'IPA' strictly refers [...] to the 'International Phonetic Association'. But it is now such a common practice to use the acronym also to refer to the alphabet itself that resistance seems pedantic...
, which offer precise descriptions but need to be learned. However, it relies on the writer's encoding mapping to the same phoneme
Phoneme
In a language or dialect, a phoneme is the smallest segmental unit of sound employed to form meaningful contrasts between utterances....
s as the reader's; e.g.
- Föhn is pronounced "Fern"
might be adequate for a non-rhotic reader but not a rhotic one.
for conventions used by various English dictionaries.
Literary dialect
Pronunciation spellings are frequently used in narratives to represent nonstandard dialectNonstandard dialect
A nonstandard dialect is a dialect that does not have the institutional support or sanction that a standardized dialect has.Like any dialect, a nonstandard dialect has its own vocabulary and an internally consistent grammar and syntax; and it may be spoken using a variety of accents. Describing a...
s or idiolect
Idiolect
In linguistics, an idiolect is a variety of a language unique to an individual. It is manifested by patterns of vocabulary or idiom selection , grammar, or pronunciations that are unique to the individual. Every individual's language production is in some sense unique...
s, often to create an impression of backwardness or illiteracy. This is called literary dialect, or often called eye dialect
Eye dialect
Eye dialect is the use of non-standard spelling for speech to draw attention to pronunciation. The term was originally coined by George P. Krapp to refer to the literary technique of using non-standard spelling that implies a pronunciation of the given word that is actually standard, such as...
, though originally the latter term was applied only where the resulting pronunciation is the same as the standard one, e.g.,
- "Pleese, mistur," said the beggar.
Other uses
Pronunciation spellings as deliberate misspellings may be used for humorous effect. The origin of the word okayOkay
"Okay" is a colloquial English word denoting approval, acceptance, agreement, assent, or acknowledgment. "Okay" has frequently turned up as a loanword in many other languages...
is disputed, but the most common view is that it derives from "Oll Korrect", an 1830s comical spelling of "All Correct".
Such spellings may also be used for brand
Brand
The American Marketing Association defines a brand as a "Name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller's good or service as distinct from those of other sellers."...
ing, e.g., "Lite
Diet food
Diet food refers to any food or drink whose recipe has been altered in some way to make it part of a body modification diet...
" foods, Froot Loops
Froot Loops
Froot Loops is a brand of breakfast cereal produced by Kellogg's and sold in Hungary, Mexico, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, the United States, South Korea, Philippines, Thailand, Germany, The Middle East, The Caribbean, South Africa, Latin America, Sweden and Finland...
. See also sensational spelling
Sensational spelling
Sensational spelling is the deliberate spelling of a word in an incorrect or non-standard way for special effect.-Branding:Sensational spellings are common in advertising and product placement...
.