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Can We Help?: Why do we say the words the way we do?

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Presenters sit on set, text overlay reads "Please explain the origin of the expression 'To barrack for one's team'?"
Can We Help?: Why do we say the words the way we do?

SUBJECTS:  English

YEARS:  5–6


What kinds of things might influence the way we pronounce words in English?

Professor Kate Burridge explains why knowing when 'kilometre' came into English helps us to understand why it is pronounced differently from similar words such as 'kilogram' and 'centimetre'.

She also explains what it means to 'barrack' for a team.


Things to think about

  1. 1.How do you pronounce the word 'kilometre'? Which syllable (part of the word) do you stress? Now say the words 'kilogram' and 'centimetre'. Which syllable do you stress? Is it the same one as 'kilometre'? Why might there be differences in the way we pronounce similar words? Do you 'barrack' for a particular sporting team? What do you think the word 'barrack' means?
  2. 2.When did the word 'kilometre' appear in the English language? How did similar words at the time influence the pronunciation of 'kilometre'? Why are similar words such as 'centimetre' and 'kilogram' pronounced differently? Is there agreement on the origins of the word 'barrack' used in the phrase 'to barrack for a team'?How does Kate explain the origins of 'barrack'?
  3. 3.Does Kate think that the pronunciation of 'kilometre' might change to match words like 'centimetre' and 'kilogram'? What are two things that she says might influence this? Kate says that 'barrack' is an interesting word because it is a 'contranym' (it can mean the opposite of itself). What would you be doing if you were 'barracking' for a team in England?
  4. 4.Do some research on contranyms. Make a list of as many of them as you can you find. Can you think of any words not mentioned in this clip that Australians and Americans pronounce differently? Here's one to get you started: laboratory.



Date of broadcast: 9 May 2008


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