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2007-11-27 15:46:54 · 16 answers · asked by Krzysztof J 1 in Education & Reference Words & Wordplay

16 answers

BOTH one and two!

This is a good example of how "syllables" can be artificial, a useful tool, but not always accurately describing how we speak.

Of course, for those who say "ar" the answer is simple --one.

But in "standard" English dialects, the two combined vowels (or "diphthong") each make a distinct sound. Ordinarily, that is not a problem -- the same sound in "sound" or "out" is easily pronounced as one syllable. But when followed by an /L/ or /R/ sound, the moving of the mouth between sounds makes this much more difficult. We basically HAVE to add at least a slight "helping vowel" to make it work.

In fact, if you look up the pronunciation of the word in dictionaries you will see how they indicate this little, half-vowel (often raised above the line) and may include an alternate pronunciation in which that half-vowel becomes a full 'short e' sound.

Note, for instance the first entry in the following link, which has a one-syllable and two-syllable pronunciation. But the one indicated as a single syllable (as you can see by the fact that NO dashes are used to mark distinct syllables), there is a raised "uh" (also called a "schwa" -- an UN-accented vowel sound that sometimes virtually disappears).
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/our

I would generally argue for ONE syllable, but with the diphthong fully pronounced (NOT "ar"). More support for this -- consider how people SING the sound. It is typically sung to ONE note.

2007-11-28 05:01:19 · answer #1 · answered by bruhaha 7 · 2 0

2

2007-11-27 23:52:22 · answer #2 · answered by maddog27271 6 · 0 1

"1 1/2," sort of. :)

As English classes teach, and as the way the DICTIONARY shows in the way it divides words into their syllables, this word is a dipthong like the word -oil- or -boil- or -tire-, -tired-, etc.

Truly, by definition of the word -syllable- itself, these words still just have one of them. But they sort-of sound like two, don't they? That's why I say "1 1/2."


Mike

2007-11-27 23:51:01 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0 0

One

2007-11-27 23:50:13 · answer #4 · answered by Firm_Cross 2 · 1 0

Hour- 2 Our-1 Our in a Poem- 1 or 2

2007-11-27 23:49:45 · answer #5 · answered by Master G 2 · 0 2

it has one syllable when pronounced correctly. It has a diphthong that gently slides when carefully said.

2007-11-27 23:56:53 · answer #6 · answered by Ohsnaps08 1 · 1 0

That is a very interesting question. Both, I guess you could say. It really depends on where you are from and what kind of accent you have. I can imagine it both ways and it makes sense in both scenarios.

Very interesting. I will have to ask those around me.

2007-11-27 23:53:53 · answer #7 · answered by thephalkinparadox 3 · 0 1

It depends on where you live. In the south and on the east coast it's often pronounced like "aw-er" Pronounced like that it has two.
On the west coast it's often pronounced like "are" Pronounced like this it only has one.

2007-11-27 23:53:22 · answer #8 · answered by MeGirl 2 · 0 1

Depends which region you are from. One if you are from the south, it's pronounced "air."

2007-11-27 23:57:44 · answer #9 · answered by bookluffer 3 · 0 1

Two. It should be pronounced like "hour." Unfortunately, many pronounce it like "are."

2007-11-27 23:57:12 · answer #10 · answered by viciousvince2001 5 · 0 1

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