Comments on: Microsoft Encarta filed under H for History

By: a non e mous

a non e mous — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 11:36:55 +0000

Hugh, you forgot a couple of the worst examples of US mispronunciation, which unfortunately have resulted in many of my fellow Australians deserting the Queen’s English:

“harrassment”; the correct pronunciation should have the emphasis on the first syllable, not the second.

“lieutenant”; should sound like “lef-ten-ant”

“clerk”; should sound like “clark”

These really get up my nose, but I’m sure I could think of more if I put my mind to it….

By: Hugh

Hugh — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 10:25:43 +0000

@Gall,

“It’s spelled encyclopedia”

You probably can’t pronounce words like “the”, “research” or “authorities”, don’t know the difference between a noun and a verb, can’t distinguish between singular and plural, fail to differentiate between past and present tense, don’t know what “momentarily” means, think that “careering” and “careening” are interchangeable, have no idea what “begs the question” really means, and so on ad nauseam.

It may be American, but it certainly isn’t English.

By: Dave Parrack

Dave Parrack — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:49:40 +0000

Only in American English. Encyclopaedia is the correct English spelling.

By: Gall

Gall — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:57:58 +0000

It’s spelled encyclopedia