Aside from the obvious ("pronunciation"), several others have recently been brought to my attention. To wit:
--produce (i.e., vegetables)
--squirrel
--compost
and, the clincher:
--tuna
For the all grief I've taken over putting a "d" in "ninety" (though, for the record, I still maintain I do not) -- Australians don't even use a T for "tuna" -- they use a "ch"!! It's highly bizarre.
If Australians pronounce tuna as [chuna], how do they pronounce produce, squirrel, and compost? Is the difference in which syllable receives the major stress? As in 'PROnounce versus pro'NOUNCE? Or is it in vowel quality?
ReplyDeleteOn another note, is A to Z in Australia, A to Zed perchance?
I second the questions about pronunciation. How do they pronounce those words?
ReplyDeleteI remember noticing the different pronunciation of brochure,with the accent on Bro.
That's so true! Tuna with a "ch"! Yes, we are strange! :0) P.S. Yes! Super kitten would be more than happy to visit! Stay tuned (with a "t"!)!
ReplyDeleteRachel - yes, we say Zed, not Zee.
ReplyDeleteI'll pay tuna - maybe we do it to distinguish it from a tuner? We also say 'pic-cha' if we're being lazy for 'picture'.
I'm left wondering how you say produce, squirrel and compost.