The pronunciation of the phrase ‘apricot’ has been a topic of debate for hundreds of years. Some individuals insist on announcing it with the stress on the primary syllable, whereas others choose to emphasise the second. This text will delve into the historical past and evolution of the phrase’s pronunciation, inspecting the arguments for and in opposition to every variant. We will even discover the regional variations in pronunciation and supply tips about the right way to say ‘apricot’ with confidence.
The phrase ‘apricot’ originates from the sixteenth century Center English phrase ‘abrecock,’ which itself is derived from the Previous French ‘abricot.’ The French phrase, in flip, comes from the Spanish ‘albaricoque,’ which is in the end derived from the Arabic ‘al-barquq.’ The stress within the Arabic phrase falls on the second syllable, and this pronunciation was initially adopted in English. Nonetheless, over time, the stress shifted to the primary syllable in English, seemingly because of the affect of different phrases with an identical stress sample, resembling ‘apricot’ and ‘ apricot.’ This shift in stress is clear within the writings of Shakespeare, who used the phrase ‘apricot’ with the stress on the primary syllable.
Regardless of the historic shift in stress, some individuals proceed to pronounce ‘apricot’ with the emphasis on the second syllable. This pronunciation is especially widespread within the southern United States and is usually thought-about to be extra formal or conventional. Nonetheless, the pronunciation with the stress on the primary syllable is now the extra widespread and accepted pronunciation in each American and British English. Finally, the selection of which pronunciation to make use of is a matter of non-public desire. Nonetheless, you will need to pay attention to the totally different pronunciations and to decide on one that’s acceptable for the context.
The Nice Vowel Shift
The Nice Vowel Shift (GVS) was a sequence of sound modifications that affected the pronunciation of vowels in English between the fifteenth and seventeenth centuries. It is likely one of the most vital occasions within the historical past of the English language, and it had a profound affect on the way in which that English is pronounced as we speak.
One of many foremost results of the GVS was the elevating of the lengthy vowels in phrases resembling “title,” “meet,” and “chew.” Earlier than the GVS, these vowels had been pronounced with a decrease, extra open high quality. Nonetheless, through the GVS, they had been raised to the next, extra closed place. This may be seen within the following desk:
| Earlier than the GVS | After the GVS |
|---|---|
| /a:/ | /ei/ |
| /e:/ | /i:/ |
| /i:/ | /ai/ |
The GVS additionally affected the pronunciation of the quick vowels in phrases resembling “cat,” “wager,” and “sit.” Earlier than the GVS, these vowels had been pronounced with a extra open high quality. Nonetheless, through the GVS, they had been raised to the next, extra closed place. This may be seen within the following desk:
| Earlier than the GVS | After the GVS |
|---|---|
| /a/ | /ae/ |
| /e/ | /i/ |
| /i/ | /e/ |
Pronunciation Variations
The pronunciation of “apricot” can differ relying on the area and the person. Listed here are a number of the commonest variations:
**American English**
In American English, “apricot” is often pronounced with the stress on the primary syllable and a brief “o” sound. This pronunciation is represented by the phonetic transcription /ˈeɪprɪkɑːt/. The “t” on the finish of the phrase is silent.
**British English**
In British English, “apricot” is often pronounced with the stress on the second syllable and an extended “o” sound. This pronunciation is represented by the phonetic transcription /ˈeɪprɪkɒt/. The “t” on the finish of the phrase is pronounced.
**Different Variations**
In another areas, “apricot” could also be pronounced with quite a lot of different vowel sounds, together with /ɑː/, /ɒ/, and /uː/. The stress sample may differ.
| Area | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| American English | /ˈeɪprɪkɑːt/ |
| British English | /ˈeɪprɪkɒt/ |
| Australian English | /ˈeɪprɪkɔːt/ |
| Canadian English | /ˈeɪprɪkɔːt/ |
| Indian English | /əˈprɪkɑːt/ |
Regional Dialects
The pronunciation of “apricot” can differ relying on regional dialects.
British English
In British English, “apricot” is often pronounced with an “ah”-sound within the first syllable, adopted by a “pr” sound within the second syllable, and an “i” sound within the closing syllable. The stress is often positioned on the second syllable.
| IPA Transcription | Pattern Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| /ˈeɪprɪkɑːt/ | [eh-pri-kaat] |
American English
In American English, there are two widespread pronunciations of “apricot.” The extra widespread pronunciation is just like the British pronunciation, with an “ah”-sound within the first syllable and an “pr” sound within the second syllable. The stress is often positioned on the second syllable, as can also be widespread in British English.
The much less widespread American pronunciation has an “eh”-sound within the first syllable, adopted by a “pr” sound within the second syllable, and an “i” sound within the closing syllable. The stress is often positioned on the primary syllable.
| IPA Transcription | Pattern Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| /ˈeɪprɪkɑːt/ | [eh-pri-kaat] |
| /ˈæprɪkɑːt/ | [ae-pri-kaat] |
Different Dialects
In another dialects of English, resembling these spoken in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, the pronunciation of “apricot” could differ barely from the pronunciations described above. For instance, in Canadian English, the primary syllable could also be pronounced with an “eh”-sound, just like the much less widespread American pronunciation.
Etymological Origins
The phrase “apricot” has a wealthy etymological historical past, tracing its roots again to historic languages.
Proto-Indo-European
The earliest identified origin of the phrase is the Proto-Indo-European root *ǵʰer-, which seemingly referred to a yellowish or golden color.
Latin
From Proto-Indo-European, the phrase developed into the Latin phrase “praecoquum”, that means “early-ripening”. The time period particularly referred to apricots, as they ripen sooner than different stone fruits.
Spanish
The Latin phrase was ultimately adopted into Spanish as “albaricoque”, which later grew to become “albérchigo” in Castilian Spanish. These varieties ultimately gave rise to the trendy English phrase “apricot”.
| Language | Phrase |
|---|---|
| Proto-Indo-European | *ǵʰer- |
| Latin | praecoquum |
| Spanish | albaricoque |
| Fashionable English | apricot |
Phrase Stress
The stress in "apricot" falls on the second syllable, which is pronounced with an extended "i" sound. Which means the primary syllable is pronounced extra softly and shortly.
Syllabification
The phrase "apricot" has three syllables:
- a-pri-cot
- a-pri-cot
- a-pri-cot
The primary syllable is unstressed, the second syllable is pressured, and the third syllable is unstressed.
Pronunciation
To pronounce "apricot" appropriately, observe these steps:
- Begin by saying "a" with a brief "a" sound.
- Add "pri" with an extended "i" sound.
- End with "cot" with a brief "o" sound.
Stress and Syllabification Desk
| Syllable | Pronunciation | Stress |
|---|---|---|
| a | /ə/ | Unstressed |
| pri | /priː/ | Harassed |
| cot | /kɒt/ | Unstressed |
Further Ideas
- Take note of the place of your mouth and tongue while you pronounce "apricot."
- Apply saying the phrase slowly and clearly at first to get the pronunciation proper.
- Hearken to native audio system pronunciating the phrase to enhance your pronunciation.
Homophones
Phrases that sound the identical however have totally different spellings and meanings are often called homophones. The phrase “apricot” has a number of homophones, together with “a pricot,” “appricot,” “apricote,” and “apricots.” This is a desk summarizing these homophones:
| Spelling | That means |
|---|---|
| a pricot | A small, candy fruit with an orange-colored pores and skin and a single seed within the heart |
| appricot | A small, candy fruit with an orange-colored pores and skin and a single seed within the heart |
| apricote | A small, candy fruit with an orange-colored pores and skin and a single seed within the heart |
| apricots | The plural type of “apricot” |
Homographs
Phrases which have the identical spelling however totally different meanings and pronunciations are often called homographs. The phrase “apricot” isn’t a homograph as a result of it has just one pronunciation.
Dialectal Variation
The pronunciation of apricot varies extensively throughout totally different dialects of English. In some dialects, resembling American English and Normal British English, the stress is positioned on the primary syllable, ensuing within the pronunciation “AY-pruh-cot.” In different dialects, resembling some types of Australian English, the stress is positioned on the second syllable, ensuing within the pronunciation “ay-PRIH-cot.”
Pronunciation
Listed here are the precise pronunciations for apricot in numerous dialects of English:
| Dialect | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| American English | AY-pruh-cot |
| Normal British English | AY-pruh-cot |
| Australian English | ay-PRIH-cot |
| New Zealand English | AY-pruh-cot |
| Canadian English | AY-pruh-cot |
| South African English | AY-pry-cot |
Further Dialects and Pronunciations
Further dialects and their respective pronunciations embrace:
– West Nation English: “AY-per-cut”
– Midlands English: “AY-per-cut”
– Yorkshire English: “AY-per-cut”
– Lancashire English: “AY-per-cut”
– Newcastle English: “AY-per-cut”
– Glasgow English: “AY-per-cut”
– Belfast English: “AY-per-cut”
– Dublin English: “AY-per-cut”
– Cork English: “AY-per-cut”
– Wexford English: “AY-per-cut”
– Galway English: “AY-per-cut”
Historic Pronunciation shifts
The pronunciation of “apricot” has undergone a number of shifts over time. The next desk outlines the foremost modifications:
| Interval | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| Center English | [aˈprikɔt] |
| Early Fashionable English | [ˈeɪprɪkɔt] |
| Late Fashionable English | [əˈpraɪkɔt] |
| Fashionable English | [ˈeɪprəkɑt] |
8. Fashionable English
In Fashionable English, the pronunciation of “apricot” is often [ˈeɪprəkɑt]. The primary syllable is pronounced with an extended “a” sound, adopted by a brief “i” sound and a “ok” sound. The second syllable is pronounced with an “ɑ” sound. This pronunciation is widespread in each British and American English.
Nonetheless, there are some regional variations within the pronunciation of “apricot.” For instance, in some dialects of American English, the second syllable is pronounced with an “ɔ” sound, leading to a pronunciation of [ˈeɪprəkɔt]. Moreover, in some dialects of British English, the primary syllable is pronounced with a brief “a” sound, leading to a pronunciation of [ˈeprɪkɔt].
Cultural Influences on Pronunciation
The pronunciation of apricot is influenced by quite a lot of cultural components, together with the speaker’s native language, area, and social group. In some cultures, the phrase is pronounced with a tough “a” sound, whereas in others it’s pronounced with a mushy “ah” sound. The “t” on the finish of the phrase may be pronounced as a “d” in some dialects.
Affect of Language on Pronunciation
The native language of the speaker can considerably affect the pronunciation of apricot. In English, the phrase is often pronounced with a tough “a” sound, as in “cat.” Nonetheless, in Spanish, the phrase is pronounced with a mushy “ah” sound, as in “father.” This distinction in pronunciation is because of the totally different vowel techniques of the 2 languages.
Affect of Area on Pronunciation
The area the place the speaker lives may also have an effect on the pronunciation of apricot. In the US, the phrase is often pronounced with a tough “a” sound, whereas in the UK, it’s usually pronounced with a mushy “ah” sound. This distinction in pronunciation is because of the totally different regional dialects of English.
Affect of Social Group on Pronunciation
The social group to which the speaker belongs may also affect the pronunciation of apricot. In some social teams, the phrase is pronounced with a tough “a” sound, whereas in others it’s pronounced with a mushy “ah” sound. This distinction in pronunciation is because of the totally different speech patterns of various social teams.
Conclusion
The pronunciation of apricot is influenced by quite a lot of cultural components, together with the speaker’s native language, area, and social group. These components can result in important variations in the way in which the phrase is pronounced.
| Tradition | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| English | Laborious “a” sound |
| Spanish | Comfortable “ah” sound |
| American English | Laborious “a” sound |
| British English | Comfortable “ah” sound |
Ideas for Saying Apricot Accurately
1. Break the Phrase into Syllables
To make announcing apricot simpler, break it down into its two syllables: “a” and “pri-cot.” Pronounce every syllable clearly and individually.
2. Pronounce the “a” as in “apple”
The primary syllable, “a,” is pronounced just like the “a” within the phrase “apple.” Keep away from making it sound just like the “a” in “cat” or “hat.”
3. Pronounce the “pri” as in “principal”
The second syllable, “pri,” is pronounced just like the “pri” within the phrase “principal.” Don’t emphasize the “r” sound an excessive amount of.
4. Pronounce the “cot” as in “cottages”
The third syllable, “cot,” is pronounced just like the “cot” within the phrase “cottages.” Once more, keep away from making the “t” sound too sturdy.
5. Loosen up Your Mouth and Tongue
To supply a pure and relaxed pronunciation, maintain your mouth and tongue relaxed all through the phrase.
6. Over-Enunciate the Syllables
When training, intentionally over-enunciate the syllables to make sure you are announcing them appropriately.
7. Hearken to How Natives Pronounce It
Discover on-line recordings or movies of native English audio system announcing apricot and hear attentively to their pronunciation.
8. Use Tongue Twisters or Alliteration
Apply tongue twisters that embrace the phrase apricot, resembling “Apricots on apricot bushes are a deal with for me.” Alliteration may also assist, e.g., “A ripe, rosy apricot.”
9. Use a Dictionary or Pronunciation Information
Seek the advice of a dependable dictionary or pronunciation information to substantiate the proper pronunciation of apricot.
10. Apply Commonly and Persistently
Pronunciation enchancment requires constant observe. Dedicate time every day or week to observe announcing apricot appropriately, even just some occasions.
| Syllable | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| a | Like “apple” |
| pri | Like “principal” |
| cot | Like “cottages” |
The way to Pronounce Apricot
The pronunciation of “apricot” can differ barely relying on the area. Nonetheless, the most typical pronunciation is “AY-pruh-cot.” The primary syllable, “AY,” is pronounced just like the letter “A” within the English phrase “cat.” The second syllable, “pruh,” is pronounced just like the letter “U” within the English phrase “put.” The third syllable, “cot,” is pronounced just like the letter “O” within the English phrase “cot.”
Some individuals may pronounce the phrase “apricot” as “AY-pri-cot.” This pronunciation is much less widespread however remains to be acceptable. Irrespective of the way you select to pronounce it, make sure that to be constant so that individuals perceive what you’re saying.
