Comments on: The Four Sounds of the Spelling OU http://www.dailywritingtips.com/the-four-sounds-of-the-spelling-ou/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:06:58 +0000 hourly 1 By: Retta McSweeney http://www.dailywritingtips.com/the-four-sounds-of-the-spelling-ou/comment-page-1/#comment-391437 Retta McSweeney Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:52:29 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=2650#comment-391437 I was born near Pittsburgh, PA. where the regional language there is Pittsburghese. After college, I was an English teacher and had to "clean up" my speech. However, I moved to the middle of that state and taught in a S. York Co. school, near Lancaster Co., where the regional language was far worse than that in Pgh. In fact, the students told me I was wrong when I said that the plural for you is "you". There they go by "youns", thinking "you ones" is right since plural means more than one. It took me quite a while to familiarize myself with their language. However, it was almost impossible to teach them correct English, for many of them held to their native tongue and declined to speak as I did! Now it is funny when I think about it. I was born near Pittsburgh, PA. where the regional language there is Pittsburghese. After college, I was an English teacher and had to “clean up” my speech. However, I moved to the middle of that state and taught in a S. York Co. school, near Lancaster Co., where the regional language was far worse than that in Pgh. In fact, the students told me I was wrong when I said that the plural for you is “you”. There they go by “youns”, thinking “you ones” is right since plural means more than one. It took me quite a while to familiarize myself with their language. However, it was almost impossible to teach them correct English, for many of them held to their native tongue and declined to speak as I did! Now it is funny when I think about it.

]]> By: Kris http://www.dailywritingtips.com/the-four-sounds-of-the-spelling-ou/comment-page-1/#comment-349273 Kris Thu, 06 Jan 2011 11:44:28 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=2650#comment-349273 My new married last name is Wouts. It is Dutch and in The Netherlands would be pronounced with a V. We live in California and every new person we meet trips over the pronunciation of our last name. It is Wouts, as in rhymes with bouts. Commonly we get the sound of Woots. I never understood how people could so easily mangle such a simple, yet uncommon name until I read your article here, it helps, but I still think it is silly that they instantly want to take it to the oo sound. I was wanting to give them an English lesson, but now I know better. Thanks! My new married last name is Wouts. It is Dutch and in The Netherlands would be pronounced with a V. We live in California and every new person we meet trips over the pronunciation of our last name. It is Wouts, as in rhymes with bouts. Commonly we get the sound of Woots. I never understood how people could so easily mangle such a simple, yet uncommon name until I read your article here, it helps, but I still think it is silly that they instantly want to take it to the oo sound. I was wanting to give them an English lesson, but now I know better. Thanks!

]]> By: Philip Rayment http://www.dailywritingtips.com/the-four-sounds-of-the-spelling-ou/comment-page-1/#comment-328365 Philip Rayment Fri, 29 Oct 2010 08:38:21 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=2650#comment-328365 This Australian also pronounces "your" the same as "pour" and unlike "tour". This Australian also pronounces “your” the same as “pour” and unlike “tour”.

]]> By: Maeve http://www.dailywritingtips.com/the-four-sounds-of-the-spelling-ou/comment-page-1/#comment-155370 Maeve Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:59:18 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=2650#comment-155370 Mark, I don't think you're crazy. I suppose it's a regional thing. I would pronounce all of the following with the same vowel sound (<b>not</b> the vowel sound in <i>four</i>): You're my friend. Is this your book? This book is yours. Mark,
I don’t think you’re crazy. I suppose it’s a regional thing. I would pronounce all of the following with the same vowel sound (not the vowel sound in four):

You’re my friend.
Is this your book?
This book is yours.

]]> By: Mark http://www.dailywritingtips.com/the-four-sounds-of-the-spelling-ou/comment-page-1/#comment-154607 Mark Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:52:12 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=2650#comment-154607 In your article, there are multiple instances where you indicate that the word "your" is pronounced in such a way that it shares the same "ou" sound as "tour" and "coup." When I read it, though, I read it so that it rhymes with "four" and "pour." Is this a regional thing? I am assuming that the word "your" that you are using is the possessive. I do pronounce "you're" in such a way that it rhymes with "tour." I see these words used in each other's place often, and so I try to make sure that my pronunciation clearly indicates which word I am trying to use. Am I crazy? In your article, there are multiple instances where you indicate that the word “your” is pronounced in such a way that it shares the same “ou” sound as “tour” and “coup.” When I read it, though, I read it so that it rhymes with “four” and “pour.” Is this a regional thing? I am assuming that the word “your” that you are using is the possessive. I do pronounce “you’re” in such a way that it rhymes with “tour.” I see these words used in each other’s place often, and so I try to make sure that my pronunciation clearly indicates which word I am trying to use. Am I crazy?

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