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Languages and Linguistics

raccoon

(31,518 posts) Tue Jul 20, 2021, 07:15 AM Jul 2021

For example:

“Blackguard” is pronounced blaggard.

“Boatswain” is pronounced bow-zun.

9 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

is there a law of linguistics that says words change to what is easier to pronounce? [View all] raccoon Jul 2021 OP

Yeah, sort of... JackintheGreen Jul 2021 #1

The original pronunciation 'ka-nig-it' was way too hard. zuul Jul 2021 #4

Interesting observation sorcrow Jul 2021 #2

Lexicon valley is a good podcast for linguistic discussion viva la Jul 2021 #3

Lexicon valley new link viva la Jul 2021 #5

Metathesis. LastDemocratInSC Jul 2021 #6

An example that's happening now -- enough Jul 2021 #7

Going to -- gonna n/t JackintheGreen Jul 2021 #8

Ask Worchester sauce...N/T flotsam Jul 2021 #9