Understanding the Pronunciation of Thames
Introduction: If you have ever heard a British person talking about the river Thames, you might have realized that they pronounce it differently than how it is spelled. In fact, the pronunciation of Thames is one of the most tricky and confusing phonemes in English. In this article, we will explore the different sounds and phonetic symbols that are associated with the pronunciation of Thames.
What is the correct way to pronounce Thames?
There are two main ways to pronounce Thames: the standard British English way and the Cockney English way. The standard British English way is the more widely used and accepted one. It is pronounced with a silent 'h,' and the 's' is pronounced as a 'z' sound. So, the correct way to pronounce Thames is /tɛmz/ or temz.
Note: The phonetic symbol /tɛmz/ represents the vowel sound that is produced when you say the word Thames, which is the same as the short 'e' sound in words like 'hem' or 'stem.'
The Cockney English way of pronouncing Thames is considered non-standard and is used mainly by people who live in East London. In the Cockney English way, the 'h' is pronounced as a 'w' sound, and the 's' is pronounced as a 'th' sound, giving it a more guttural and clipped sound. So, the Cockney way of saying Thames sounds something like \"T'emth.\"
What are some other sounds associated with the Thames pronunciation?
Aside from the traditional and Cockney way of pronouncing Thames, there are other sounds you might hear when people say the word. For example, some speakers might elongate the vowel sound, which makes it sound like 'Tay-mz.' This is often heard in certain dialects and is not necessarily incorrect, just a slight variation.
Another sound that is associated with Thames is the 'voiced dental fricative' sound. This is the same sound that you hear in the word 'them,' and it is produced by placing your tongue between your teeth and blowing air. Some people might produce this sound when they say Thames, giving it a softer and more rounded sound.
Conclusion
Pronouncing Thames correctly can be tricky, but with the help of this article, you should now have a good understanding of the different sounds and phonetic symbols associated with this phoneme. Whether you prefer the traditional British English way or the Cockney English way, it is important to remember that there is no right or wrong way to say Thames, as long as you are understood.