german words in english with diacritical marks

But the rule about beginnings means that even if you encourage them to pronounce the p in psychotic, they tend to insert an extra vowel to make it fit the template, and say puh-sychotic. English does let these consonants join in the middle of words, like uptown and upside, so English-speakers can certainly pronounce them. The p in psychology and pterodactyl is silent because English phonotactic rules do not allow native words to begin with pt- or ps- sounds. Next, languages differ in what linguists call phonotactics-in effect, what is a permissible syllable and what isn’t. In French, the final-syllable stress is so strong as to leave little room for any other. Meanwhile, English words often have a secondary as well as a primary stress: in “civilisation” the primary stress is on the fourth syllable and the secondary stress is on the first. The final stress is quite emphatic, usually involving a higher pitch and greater volume. It applies not only to French words but to any foreign name: French-speakers are acquainted with a Texan city called yoos-TON, not the English HYOO-ston. But the importance of the rule is often underplayed. All French words are stressed on the final syllable, a rule typically explained in textbooks.

Each language has rules for these combinations, which native speakers (and many teachers) generally grasp but don’t or can’t explain.Ĭonsider an easy example.

As with chemistry, the important thing is not just how the elements behave in isolation, but how they come together. Even when textbooks or instructors mention this sort of nuance, the next step is often missing.

German words in english with diacritical marks