Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.
Synopsis
Real pronunciation, the chapter explains, includes three distinct processes: articulation, accentuation, and enunciation. Articulation is the correct forming and joining of the elementary sounds of speech, and most errors here arise from carelessness rather than ignorance — as with the common slurring of 'duty' into 'dooty' or 'column' into 'colyum.' Accentuation is the stressing of the proper syllable in a word, requiring a lifetime of attentive listening and dictionary use. Enunciation is the complete utterance of every sound in a word, and its neglect produces the sort of slovenly dropping of final consonants mocked in the example of the preacher who announces his 'tex'' from 'the fif' and six' verses.' The chapter insists that such faults are correctable by will and drill, not excusable as unavoidable habit: 'he who is too lazy to speak distinctly should hold his tongue.' At the same time, over-precision is itself a fault, exaggerating syllables until words seem stiff and unnatural; the goal is a natural, unified distinctness, not a caricature of careful speech. Practical drills, tongue-twisters, and careful review of one's manuscript for possible mispronunciations are recommended as remedies.
Key points
- Pronunciation properly includes three distinct processes: articulation, accentuation, and enunciation.
- Articulation is correctly forming and joining elementary sounds; most errors are carelessness, not ignorance.
- Accentuation is stressing the correct syllable, cultivated through an alert ear and dictionary study.
- Enunciation is giving full value to every sound in a word; dropping final consonants is common and correctable.
- Over-precision is also a fault; the goal is natural distinctness, not exaggerated, angular speech.
Key texts
- Isaiah 6:5-7
- Nehemiah 8:8
- 1 Corinthians 14:8-9
- Judges 12:5-6
From the book
Chapter XIV — Distinctness and Precision of Utterance · Open the reader
- “Distinct and precise utterance is one of the most important considerations of public speech.”
- “He who is too lazy to speak distinctly should hold his tongue.”
- “The less there is of you, the more need for you to make the most of what there is of you.”
Put it into practice
- Learn to utter correctly, with easy change from one to another, each of the elementary sounds of the language.
- Before delivering a speech, review the manuscript and check the dictionary for any word you might mispronounce.
- Drill final consonants and vowel sounds carefully, without exaggerating syllables into an unnatural caricature.
- Comprehension
1. What three distinct processes does the chapter say real pronunciation includes?
- Comprehension
2. Give the chapter's example of a wrong articulation caused by joining sounds improperly.
- Scripture
3. What Old Testament figure's account of unclean lips might a teacher pair with this chapter's concern for right speech?
- Doctrinal Clarity
4. Why does the chapter say slovenly pronunciation is usually a matter of the will rather than physical defect?
- Contrast
5. Contrast wrong articulation with wrong enunciation as the chapter defines them.
- Comprehension
6. What example does the chapter give of a preacher whose enunciation dropped essential final consonants?
- Doctrinal Clarity
7. What caution does the chapter give against over-correcting one's pronunciation?
- Comprehension
8. What remedy does the chapter recommend before delivering a prepared speech?
- Application
9. Listen to a recording of your own speech or reading. What articulation, accentuation, or enunciation faults do you notice, and what is one specific drill you could use to correct them?
- Application
10. Which of the chapter's tongue-twisters or drills would most help you personally, and why?