Dieing languages and "easy to learn" spelling

[Dennis Preston]

In Standard American English (i.e., what I speak) "egg" is /eyg/ (as
is /leyg/), but "beg" (like "peg") has an E (epsilon). I've been
forced to live where they rhyme for the last 40 years or so. Time to
go back to where people talk good.

dInIs

PS: I probably don't want to hear other definitions of Standard
American English.

>---------------------- Information from the mail header
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>Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
>Poster:       James Harbeck <jharbeck at SYMPATICO.CA>
>Subject:      Re: Dieing languages and "easy to learn" spelling
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>>     Will I be forced to spell "egg" and "leg" as if they rhymed with
>>"beg?"
>
>What's the difference between them in your dialect? I've only lived
>where they do rhyme, and I've managed not to notice the distinction
>in the speech of those who might pronounce them differently.
>
>James Harbeck.
>
>------------------------------------------------------------
>The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org


--
Dennis R. Preston
University Distinguished Professor
Department of English
Morrill Hall 15-C
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48864 USA

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