de Lincoln, Contributor
SICKLE:This word used to be very popular in our country. But why has it disappeared? A sickle is an implement, a tool for cutting grass, corn, banana trees. It is a very convenient instrument for it has a curved blade and a short handle. It came to us from Latin 'secula'. Sickle was so widespread in use that it has empowered a type of bird now known as Sicklebill birds. These birds have a clearly curved bill in the same way as some hummingbirds and birds of paradise. So reader who sent us the question about sickle, let us use the word more often, especially as the instrument is quite effective.
SICKLE-CELL ANAEMIA:This disease is unfortunate and does affect the young especially, as it stifles growth and survival.
DISPUTE: It was most pleasing to hear the wonderful RJR announcer pronouncing the noun dispute correctly by stressing the second syllable 'pute'. Let us hope that all other stations will go along with her excellence.
RESPIRATORY: This is the adjective which flows from the verb to respire. To respire is pronounced correctly with the stress on 're' sounding like the 'ri' of ribbon. To respire is to breathe air, to inhale and exhale air. Respiratory is to be stressed not on the first syllable but on the second 'spir'. The verb to respire is stressed also on the second syllable. But whereas the 'spir' of the noun sounds with the 'i' sounding like the 'i' of in, the 'spir' of the noun sounds with the 'i' like the 'i' of fire.
The verb to respire and the noun respiratory both dealing with breathing came to us from Latin 'respirare' (re (again + spirare to breathe).
SECTORAL: When one listens to Hot 102 with both Breakfast Club and the popular afternoon show one hears many speakers moving away from pronouncing certain words correctly. We are not referring to the hosts, but to news announcers and others, though we are told that Errol Smith, who reads most of the news is one of the best newsreaders. Indeed he may well be the best. But some people on that station and on others, especially the TV give us some moments of bother. Let us look at some words:
COMMENTARAY: One newsreader on CVM keeps following those who mispronounce this delightful word. What is a commentary? It is a set of explanatory or critical comments on a speech, or on anything. A commentary is also a description of cricket or any game or performance.
But the word with four syllables 'ko-men-teh-ri' has only three when it is properly pronounced. By stressing the first syllable 'ko' the word sounds like a three syllable one 'ko-men-tri'. If our excellent newsreaders were to remember this and pronounce it correctly, their lovely voices would add joy to our ears.
ABDOMEN: This is part of the body containing stomach, bowels and the reproductive organs. A reader asked us whether the word should be stressed on the first syllable 'ab' or on the second 'do'. Oxford confirms that the stress on 'ab' is the first choice, but the stress on the second do (doh) is perfectly acceptable. So no problem.
Today's Quotation:
Shakespeare led a life of allegory: his works are the comments on it".
-- John Keats 1795 - 1821.
