2006-09-27 21:27:52 · 7 answers · asked by fatnfastest 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I say staff but my mum would say starf. We are both from down south. I think its more of a generation or class thing. My mum did have elecution lessons at school.
2006-09-27 21:32:09 · answer #1 · answered by ccskitten 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok- I'm from the south- been here all my life and have never heard 'staff' pronounced as 'starf'. From all the folks I know everybody pronounces it just like it's spelled. Staff sounds like daff.
2006-09-28 08:46:45 · answer #2 · answered by Alison 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best way to speak is always with a "non-regional dialect." This is something newscasters and TV personalities perfect.
So, the a in staff would be pronounced like the a in black, hat, cat, trap, damp, etc.
2006-09-28 04:45:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is difficult to define what is correct, because of regional variations.
As you know, the 'a' sound in the north is flat and generally short, although in the north-east it tends to be rather longer - rhyming with 'baa' (as in baa-baa black sheep).
In the south it is longer and would rhyme with 'card'.
Try to stick to your own accent - if you try to disguise it TOO much you may sound rather strange - like, for example, the politician John Cunningham, or Sir Alistair Graham.
Just avoid doing what many radio and TV presenters do - make sure it does NOT rhyme with 'beth'!!! That sounds dreadful!!
2006-09-28 04:42:31 · answer #4 · answered by aarcue 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I consider myself to speak the queens english, and as such, the correct pronounciation is Starf. As in Barf (Bath), and of course Scarf (Scarf).
2006-09-28 12:40:50 · answer #5 · answered by Bacteria Boy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I say Staff (like daff) but my parents say Starf.
2006-09-28 08:17:57 · answer #6 · answered by sparkleythings_4you 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
[sta:f] No accent.
2006-09-28 04:30:35 · answer #7 · answered by websku 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋