Contemplating the emphasis or is it emphasis...?
Very often in English different versions of words have different syllables emphasized. For example:
continent >>> continental
contract >>> contractual
contribute >>> contribution
corporate >>> corporation
reprise >>> reprisal
(re-preez') >>> (re-pry-zal)
And we seem to do OK with these, but then their's "contemplative," an adjective meaning contemplating. Often it's heard:
contemplate >>> contemplative (rhymes with "on them day give")
Now, I must admit, that pronunciation is in the dictionary. But you have to admit that
contemplative ("the hen the give") sounds so much better! ;-)
contemplative ("the hen the give") sounds so much better! ;-)
Saying contemPLAtive sounds as bad as saying subSEEquent (subsequent). (If someone says "subSEEquent, just slap them--that's NOT in the dictionary. It should rhyme with "tub the tent")
Alright, it's off my chest now, I can get on with life...
(credit to Scott & Sarah for sparking this post)
Have any other Hoosier examples of the emphasis on the wrong syllable?
