Subj : Pronunciation To : Alexander Koryagin From : Ardith Hinton Date : Wed Sep 26 2018 23:46:17 Hi, Alexander! Recently you wrote in a message to Ardith Hinton: AK> In English there are lots of similar sounding words AK> and word combinations. Yes, and for exactly that reason many jokes in English are puns. :-) AK> I suspect that a person should point his finger at, AK> before saying "gimme your knaki" ;=) In such direct encounters we rely heavily on gestures & body language at times, as you say. In written communication we may use different spellings. But it does help when people get to know one another too.... :-) AH> Dallas & I are often asked AK> "Dallas & I" == "Dallas & me"? Passive voice: I am often asked (something). He is often asked (something). We are often asked (something). Active voice: People often ask me (something). People often ask him (something). People often ask us (something). AK> Another story maybe is with the French speaking AK> Canadians. I know that when a French says "heating AK> system" he says "eating system". ;-) In English we have a few limited choices WRT the initial /h/. We can say "a historic event" or "an historic event"... and the enunciation of the /h/ in "herb" is optional. At a quick glance through my French/English dictionary, which says it includes Canadian usage, I found several pages of words beginning with the letter "h"... but it seems "h" is what Anglophones would refer to as a "silent letter" in French. A person whose native language is French may forget to say it aloud in English or have difficulty learning to pronounce it.... :-) AK> Well, talking is a process when at least two person AK> speak. ;-) Unless, of course, a person is thinking aloud & doesn't expect anyone else to answer. When I do this I often say I'm talking to myself. :-)) --- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+ * Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716) .