PROnunciations
Written by Johnny George Monday, 22 March 2010 10:51
Over my voiceover career I've run across variations of pronunciations that are sometimes unique to areas of the country. As an example, I have pronounced the word, "ROOFING" as "Ruffing". I'm sure you'd say, "No, no, no...it's "ROO (long O) FING". A word like that, I get. Or "ROUTE 66" is said two ways, "ROOT 66" or "ROUT 66" (Like "about"). Or "DATA" as DAY-TA or DAD-DUH.
However, there are several words I hear over and over again that I feel are just voiced improperly. Like OFTEN. The "T" is silent. You wouldn't say SOFTEN. (pronounce the "T") It's properly spoken, "OFF-EN" Or how about, INTERESTED. It should be spoken as a 3-syllable word. IN-TRESS-TED. Not, IN-TER-EST-ED. Granted it may be subjective to you, but how many times have you heard the state Illinois voiced as, ILL-IN-OYE's, instead of ILL-IN-OYE? There are so many of these words that I, as a voice actor, must say properly for not only the area, but the industry.
What words have you run into like these?
"hundred" - so many times pronounced, HUN-nerd. Almost with one syllable. I have to consciously say Hun.-DreD. otherwise, I too make the mistake and let it fall off my tongue with that lazy style I hate.
"for" - How many times do we just shoot through a sentence with the preposition "for" and say it as "fer". Most of us, unfortunately. However, there is a trick I was taught by one of my voice coaches years ago. When prepping your copy, replace the word "for" and put in the numeral "4" instead. Your brain will see that and you will say "FOUR", but it will be perceived as "for" to your audience.
Do YOU have any words that catch you?
And Sean, yes, you're saying it should be IN-dust-tree, correct? There are a million of 'em.