"th" as in "the" or "thread"

Spexxvet · 09-13-2007, 10:32 AM

Is English the only language to pronounce "th" as it is pronounced in "the" and "thread"?

Shawnee123 · 09-13-2007, 10:34 AM

Je ne sais pas, je ne parle pas anglais

Cicero · 09-13-2007, 12:45 PM

Plbbbt.......
Yeah English the only one ever....plbbbt.
To answer your question......No. Greek and Ancient Greek uses it all the time. There's a strong arguement for the Greeks using it first (as a common). Which is where "theo" came from which means god. In Greek the d sound is harder however. Same roots.

In summary:

Not only are we using it- we are pronouncing it wrong.

Cloud · 09-13-2007, 01:22 PM

your question confuses me a bit, since the "th" is pronounced slightly differently in "thread" and "the". In Spanish, the consonant "d" is often pronounced similarly to the "th" in "the"

SteveDallas · 09-13-2007, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

only language to pronounce "th"

Are you asking whether any other language uses these sounds?

Or whether any other language spells them the same way?

ferret88 · 09-13-2007, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

Is English the only language to pronounce "th" as it is pronounced in "the" and "thread"?

Well, I speak English and I DON'T pronounce the "th" in those words the same.

DanaC · 09-13-2007, 02:05 PM

I think that's what Spexx is saying ferret: it's spelled the same but it's pronounced differently....or am I mistaken Spexx?

ferret88 · 09-13-2007, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanaC

I think that's what Spexx is saying ferret: it's spelled the same but it's pronounced differently....or am I mistaken Spexx?

The original comment IS rather ambiguous, isn't it...

glatt · 09-13-2007, 02:11 PM

Do you pronounce Ferry and Fairy the same way?

Cloud · 09-13-2007, 02:38 PM

yes. don't you? why is that relevant? (confused)

glatt · 09-13-2007, 02:50 PM

I do. It's not relevant, but Spex's question seems to be answered, so I asked my own.

I met a woman a couple weeks ago who corrected my pronunciation of ferry. I pronounced it just like fairy, but she said I should pronounce it more like feh-rry.

lumberjim · 09-13-2007, 03:04 PM

whenever someone corrects your pronunciation, tell them that they have bad breath.

say, " Oh, thanks. and...uhm.....you have bad breath. do you have any mints? or gum or something?"

try it. you'll feel very empowered afterwards. you should say something fucked up to at least one person a day.

Cloud · 09-13-2007, 03:06 PM

So, according to Wikipedia:

almost all European and Asian languages lack the voiced dental fricative ("the"), but it does have a list of languages, like English, the Spanish one I mentioned, Greek, etc. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voiced_dental_fricative

And the other sound, the voiceless dental fricative, is also missing in many major languages: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voiceless_dental_fricative

that answer your question?

SteveDallas · 09-13-2007, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud

dental fricative

You make it sound sooo dirty.

Shawnee123 · 09-13-2007, 03:08 PM

Yet, so fascinating.

09-13-2007, 10:32 AM	#1
Spexxvet Makes some feel uncomfortable Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 10,346	"th" as in "the" or "thread" Is English the only language to pronounce "th" as it is pronounced in "the" and "thread"? __________________ "I'm certainly free, nay compelled, to spread the gospel of Spex. " - xoxoxoBruce

09-13-2007, 10:34 AM	#2
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Je ne sais pas, je ne parle pas anglais __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

09-13-2007, 12:45 PM	#3
Cicero Looking forward to open mic night. Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New Mexico Posts: 5,148	Plbbbt....... Yeah English the only one ever....plbbbt. To answer your question......No. Greek and Ancient Greek uses it all the time. There's a strong arguement for the Greeks using it first (as a common). Which is where "theo" came from which means god. In Greek the d sound is harder however. Same roots. In summary: Not only are we using it- we are pronouncing it wrong. __________________ Show me a sane man, and I will cure him for you.- Carl Jung

09-13-2007, 01:22 PM	#4
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	your question confuses me a bit, since the "th" is pronounced slightly differently in "thread" and "the". In Spanish, the consonant "d" is often pronounced similarly to the "th" in "the" __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

09-13-2007, 02:38 PM	#10
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	yes. don't you? why is that relevant? (confused) __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

09-13-2007, 02:05 PM	#7
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	I think that's what Spexx is saying ferret: it's spelled the same but it's pronounced differently....or am I mistaken Spexx?

09-13-2007, 02:11 PM	#9
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	Do you pronounce Ferry and Fairy the same way?

09-13-2007, 02:50 PM	#11
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	I do. It's not relevant, but Spex's question seems to be answered, so I asked my own. I met a woman a couple weeks ago who corrected my pronunciation of ferry. I pronounced it just like fairy, but she said I should pronounce it more like feh-rry.

09-13-2007, 03:04 PM	#12
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	whenever someone corrects your pronunciation, tell them that they have bad breath. say, " Oh, thanks. and...uhm.....you have bad breath. do you have any mints? or gum or something?" try it. you'll feel very empowered afterwards. you should say something fucked up to at least one person a day. __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

09-13-2007, 03:06 PM	#13
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	So, according to Wikipedia: almost all European and Asian languages lack the voiced dental fricative ("the"), but it does have a list of languages, like English, the Spanish one I mentioned, Greek, etc. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voiced_dental_fricative And the other sound, the voiceless dental fricative, is also missing in many major languages: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voiceless_dental_fricative that answer your question? __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

09-13-2007, 03:08 PM	#15
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Yet, so fascinating. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

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