Vowel Prolongation

How many syllables are there in the word "east"?

If you thought there was just one, you'd be as intrigued as I was this weekend when I heard a weather reporter from northern Michigan pronounce the word as if it had at least three syllables.

Try it yourself: as odd as it sounds, it's actually no mean feat!

Accents

- You're from Australia, aren't you?

- No, England.

- Of course! I always get those two accents mixed up.

You Say "Potato" (contd.)

Because of the large Jewish community in the States, a lot of people are called "Aaron". Unfortunately for non-Americans like myself trying to get their tongues round local pronunciation norms, the name "Aaron" is not pronounced "ah-ron", as it would in England for instance, but "e-rin".

Non-Jewish families also name their children thus, though sometimes - and I suspect this may be socioeconomic in origin - the child is Christened "Erin".

Fortunately for us New World newbies, in this case the name is said just like it's spelt.