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HelpPhoenetic name breakdowns
How do you break names down phonetically? What do you feel is best about the way you do it? Does it bother you when people attempt it on BtN get it really wrong? Like Rebecca as “RE-b-eck-A”? What tips would you give people? Do you think there should be a tutorial somewhere on the site? Is there already one and I haven’t seen it?
I know the way I do it isn’t perfect (my phone can’t seem to do the upside-down e, for example), but I admit it does irk me when people emphasize what is clearly the wrong syllable, or try to pass off a single consonant as a syllable. Especially if it’s a poll where the goal is to find out how most people pronounce something, and none of the options make sense.
For the record, I would write Rebecca as ruh-BEK-ah. My way could probably be improved as well, I know, but I do feel like it’s clear at least.
I know the way I do it isn’t perfect (my phone can’t seem to do the upside-down e, for example), but I admit it does irk me when people emphasize what is clearly the wrong syllable, or try to pass off a single consonant as a syllable. Especially if it’s a poll where the goal is to find out how most people pronounce something, and none of the options make sense.
For the record, I would write Rebecca as ruh-BEK-ah. My way could probably be improved as well, I know, but I do feel like it’s clear at least.
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I think problem here on BtN is, that the people speak different languages and are not used to the IPA and therefore the phonetic writing does not make the same sense for everybody. I had phonetic studies at the University, but since it was based on the german language (and the IPA), my explanations do not help that much if I want to explain to a non-IPA-user and english-speaker (or any other) the way I pronouce something.
This message was edited 8/20/2018, 11:56 PM
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I don't think I've ever not been able to understand what someone means with a phonetic breakdown on BtN.
I don't take it that seriously. I try to break down how I say it; sometimes the emphasis actually is weird, and I try to reflect that.
If someone wrote “RE-b-eck-A” I might wonder if they were swallowing consonants.
I guess as advice...
-make sure you're conveying whether it's a short or a long vowel
-include a vowel in each segment unless there's something very unique about the name or your pronunciation of it
-each syllable only has one vowel sound in it
-try to convey (and only capitalize) the syllables that are stressed
-if you're unsure of how to write the sound, mention a common word the sound is in
I don't take it that seriously. I try to break down how I say it; sometimes the emphasis actually is weird, and I try to reflect that.
If someone wrote “RE-b-eck-A” I might wonder if they were swallowing consonants.
I guess as advice...
-make sure you're conveying whether it's a short or a long vowel
-include a vowel in each segment unless there's something very unique about the name or your pronunciation of it
-each syllable only has one vowel sound in it
-try to convey (and only capitalize) the syllables that are stressed
-if you're unsure of how to write the sound, mention a common word the sound is in
This message was edited 8/17/2018, 7:50 PM
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I do my best. I say a name aloud, then write what I've said.
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Honestly, I'm the worst when it comes to this. I never know how to write it down correctly.
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