Why do Americans pronounce the words clerk as "clerk" and not "clark" and the word wrath as "wrath" and not "wroth"? It's very embarrassing.
2007-04-23 02:23:16 · 19 answers · asked by spiderman 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
I don't think I've ever heard an American use the word "wrath".
2007-04-23 02:31:34 · answer #1 · answered by Goddess of Grammar 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
What? or "Wot" are you talking about?
Now I've heard Brit's say "wroth" instead of "wrath" , but not even a Brit will say "clark" instead of "clerk", ...unless the "clerk" is happened to be named "Clark"
you should be embarrassed after this one.Study, study.
2007-04-23 09:33:20 · answer #2 · answered by twostories 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am an American living in Japan teaching English as a second language. As a business man, I studied accents. I am curious why you are embarrassed by different pronunciation. One thing I have learned is to accept differences that can not be changed. The Japanese language has a total of about 110 syllables (the Japanese alphabet) available. If one makes the simplest of mistakes in pronunciation in the Japanese language, that person will not be understood.
If you are that sensitive about something that simple, I suggest that your feeling is not about language so much as nonacceptance of other cultures.
My experience has taught me that in language, the MOST IMPORTANT thing is not how the language is pronounces (which is important) as how well one is communicating.
Keep in mind that the English language is spoken in many many countries, but it is not the most spoken language (Chinese) in the world, not even second (Indian) or third (Spanish), so try to humble yourself.
I suggest you travel and learn of other cultures as well as other languages. Please try to have an open mind and not be a judge based on something as trivial as sounds and remember that as with all things, languages evolve.
2007-04-23 09:38:02 · answer #3 · answered by Chardo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Americans, speak different dialects than the British, Canadians, or Australians. And even in America (or Britain) there are regional dialects. Words also differ from region to region. In the south they use "grits" and "y'all". In some regions of Canada people shop at a depanneur instead of a convenience store. In Scotland people say aye to mean always.
The same is true of any language that is spoken in more areas than one.
2007-04-23 09:36:03 · answer #4 · answered by Tom S 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
because the way they are spellled. If i wanted to say clark, i would say clark, but the cashier will always be a clerk.
2007-04-23 09:27:03 · answer #5 · answered by Nooka 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because an e makes an e sound not an a sound and an a makes an a sound not an o sound. If we wanted it any other way we'd spell it that way.
2007-04-23 09:30:07 · answer #6 · answered by db14 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
because its pronounced CLERK and WRATH, in AMERICA!
2007-04-23 09:26:03 · answer #7 · answered by Joannie W 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Because that how is supposed to be pronounced. There is no o wrath and there is no a in clerk. DUH!
2007-04-23 09:26:35 · answer #8 · answered by 81 Honda 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Clardo: you meant to answer another question, the one about traveling to Japan.
And Spiderman: hehe, you've been seriously hit in the balls! Think twice before typing ...!
2007-04-23 10:16:08 · answer #9 · answered by Duende 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
your the one who should be embarrassed. do you know how long hooked on phonics has been out??? Go pick it up and learn how to sound your words.
2007-04-23 09:27:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋