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HelpPrince Will-ee-um?
in reply to a message by Amphelise
Interesting. On every BBC production I've heard it sounds like William is two syllables in the UK. Of course the pronunciation used on the BBC may be different from how average people speak.
On other news channels too, it sounds like Prince William is said using two syllables by British people when interviewed. Do people on the street really call him Will-ee-um?
On other news channels too, it sounds like Prince William is said using two syllables by British people when interviewed. Do people on the street really call him Will-ee-um?
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Replies
I've literally never heard it as two syllables?? I've even looked up videos to double check, and it's all three syllables
Here's the BBC specific ones:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS563DYnUXQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7qaiP-CwxU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuicikCwMjk
All will-ee-um
Here's the BBC specific ones:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS563DYnUXQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7qaiP-CwxU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuicikCwMjk
All will-ee-um
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As I said elsewhere, it’s a very short sound; it’s easy to miss. Phonetically speaking, though, it is there. In transitioning from the alveolar lateral approximant (/l/) to the palatal approximant (/j/) the mouth produces a brief close front vowel sound (/i/). It’s actually really hard not to do so.
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Yes, I've heard that from some Irish people but isn't that a transitional sound rather than a separate syllable? It is on the syllable boundary rather than a syllable of its own?
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It's easier for me to understand if I think of it as being like the difference between pronouncing Julia as Jul-ee-a versus as Jul-ya.
I say Julia Jul-ee-a, and it's like the way Amphelise is describing saying William. I don't really believe or feel as if I'm saying technically three syllables - however, it is distinct from if I say Julia as two syllables on purpose, Jul-ya. It feels different, and sounds slightly different.
I say Julia Jul-ee-a, and it's like the way Amphelise is describing saying William. I don't really believe or feel as if I'm saying technically three syllables - however, it is distinct from if I say Julia as two syllables on purpose, Jul-ya. It feels different, and sounds slightly different.
This message was edited 10/17/2023, 11:38 AM
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This.
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