Baby babies n Key keys????

Question

'Key' becomes 'keys' while 'baby' becomes 'babies' when pluralised. The deciding factor is whether the letter before 'y' is a vowel or not. However, what is the rationale for this? How do you pronouce words like 'sacs' so that it doesn't sound like 'sex'? How do you pronouce 'asked' when it ends with /a:skt/. Find it hard to pronounce the [k] followed by the [t]. In fact, i find many words hard to pronounce since i am not a native speaker though i may be able to transcribe the words correctly. Find it hard to twist n turn my tongue when i read fast. Tks

tks for the anwers so far. Would love to hear more. What about the letter [x]? I know how to transcribe it differently from [s] but finds it hard to read it correctly n naturally. tks

I do know the deciding factor for the changing of 'y' inot 'i'. Just wondering why the rule is there in the first place. When I say it very slowly, I can pronounce the [k] and [t] for 'asked' but finds it unnatural to move tongue from [k] to [t]. When I say it at normal speaking pace, usually the [k] disappeared. The same problem with 'sacs' where i need to move tongue from [k] to [s].

Answer 1

Asked... the 't' sound is pretty light. Sitting here repeating it to myself...at least in my accent the 'k' and 't' seem to blend together more then they are heavily pronounced.

Keys and babies...I honestly don't know, English is just quirky like that.

Sacs... more of an aaaa sound, like the 'a' in bat. Or like a character screaming "aaaah!" lol Sex is more of an 'eh' type of 'e'.

Answer 2

The English language is such a mix of other languages that rational isn't always consistent through the whole thing. They don't call our country the melting pot for nothing. The "a" and the "e" in the sacs and sex question are two different sounds...unless you have a southern dialect (by the way southerners will say the word pin and pen both as pin...haha). The "a" should sound like the a in the word apple (a higher more nasal pitch). The "e" should have a lower more guttural sound...like in the word emphasis. As for the word asked....not all born English speakers can say this either. You will hear some people say axed instead of asked. The key is to slow down and say Ask...t. The last t sound should be just a flick of the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth. The key to reading fast is don't....haha! Slow down and enunciate....people will retain more if you are steady and paced. I truly don't believe the English language was made to be spoken fast...unlike Spanish....whew they usually speak faster than I can comprehend :). The most important thing is that you are trying more than even some English-born speakers do....Thank you and good luck!

Answer 3

Hi.
Baby becomes babies because there's a consonant 'b' coming before the 'y', while in key, it's a vowel 'e' coming before 'y'. So, everytime a consonant coming before 'y', the 'y' will change into 'ie + s', and 'y' will remain as 'y'+s if there is one (or more) vowel before it. That is supposed to be the rule. If you find something different, that could be the exceptions. English has too many exceptions.

sacs is pronounced /saeks/.. you need to open up your mouth a bit wider to produce the sound of 'ae', a mix of 'a' and 'e' sounds, while in the word 'sex' you pull your lips as if you are smiling (you may say this word too when your picture is taken, instead of the word 'cheese')

asked.. practise slowly by saying /ask/, then bring the tip of your tounge to your front teeth to produce the sound 't' and not 'd'

One of the best ways of practising pronunciation is standing in front of a mirror while you are saying the words.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Nadina Nadeen Nadette Nina Nanelle Nareen Nanelia Natshota Natalee Natalia Neomi Nevada Nichele Neve Nicola Nixie Noele or Noelle ( relies upon on spelling ) Noella Nora Norah Noreen Norma desire this helps! there are extra names in this website below ( the place materials are )

Answer 5

it is just one of the imperfect acceptions in the english language. many languages are like that. especially French