1

Why are words like privacy pronounced like /ˈprɪv.ə.si/ in British and /ˈpraɪ.və.si/ in American English (short vowel in the first case, long in the latter one)?

I read that determining whether a vowel is short or long, one must split the word in syllables, and then if that vowel is the only one in the syllable and is not succeded by a consonant is long, but if that vowel is still the only one in the syllable but is followed by a consonant in the same syllable is short. In the case of privacy I think it is because of the different spellings (priv-a-cy in British and pri-va-cy in American). If so, do you know other words that have different spellings in British than in American?

Void
  • 17,778
  • 7
  • 71
  • 106
Alex S
  • 11
  • 1
  • The word is *spelled* the same in both languages. In *priv-a-cy*, for example, the hyphens have nothing to do with spelling. They are merely phonetic guidelines indicating syllables used (and, thereby, suggestive of pronunciation). So, you've almost answered your own question: refer to regional dictionaries. – Jason Bassford Jul 07 '18 at 19:04
  • A previous question about this topic on the ELU Stack Exchange site: [Pronunciation of “priv-” in British English and American English](https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/399867) – sumelic Jul 07 '18 at 19:16
  • @JasonBassford: I meant "syllabled" if there is such a terminology – Alex S Jul 07 '18 at 19:35

2 Answers2

3

As far as I remember, 'privacy' was an exception to Trisyllabic Laxing (TSL) in American English. It was a phonological process that shortened certain tense vowels when they were followed by two or more syllables.

Privacy → /ˈpraɪ.və.si/

The first syllable is stressed, has a tense vowel and is followed by two syllables, so it should, by TSL, yield:

  • /ˈprɪ.və.si/ (we know that /aɪ/ gets shortened to /ɪ/)

It's true in British English whereas in American English, TSL doesn't apply.

Another exception is 'dynasty', which, in American English, is:

  • /ˈdaɪ.nə.sti/ — TSL doesn't apply

In British English, it is:

  • /dɪ.nə.sti/
Void
  • 17,778
  • 7
  • 71
  • 106
  • Some Brits do say /ˈpraɪ.və.si/ - Lexico gives both variants for British English. Whether it is an imported pronunciation or a survival I'm not sure. (I have never heard a Brit say /ˈdaɪ.nə.sti/ , though.) – rjpond Jan 14 '21 at 14:57
  • @rjpond: [Probably Americanisation](https://ell.stackexchange.com/a/13044/106592). – Void Jan 14 '21 at 15:02
  • @rjpond: And now [**/ˈdaɪ.nə.sti/** has made its way into BrE](https://youtu.be/ReiWeoAiCaU?t=44) (he says /ˈdaɪ.nə.sti/ throughout the video.) – Void May 30 '21 at 19:08
1

There are many - but lists don't make good SE questions, I'm afraid.
Basil, oregano, cigarette, Bernard, advertisement, garage, gourmet, ballet, brochure, address...

bazil bayzil
origarno oreggano
cigarette cigarette
Berna'd Bernaard
advertissment advertizement
garage [or even garridge] garahge
etc

The British have a joke about it, they say that
Americans put the emph-ah-sis on the wrong syll-ah-ble.

One thing I've noticed, though never researched, is that the main differences would tend to be in 'newer' words; words that more likely came though French than early Germanic/Nordic or directly from Latin.

I also found this - 22 Words with British and American Pronunciations that may Confuse you - which includes a lot of even single syllable words where the pronunciation changes even if the emphasis doesn't. Too many to list here.

DoneWithThis.
  • 13,813
  • 2
  • 32
  • 54