Today in Phonetics, we did a 3rd transcription–the horrid middle vowels (+ front and back vowels) which I’m pretty sure I got my 3rd 100% on. Though it was really difficult to differentiate some of the sounds. We graded it in class then had time left over so our prof asked if we had questions. On the test was the word “parcel” with a schwa before the l. I raised my hand and asked how to tell the difference between schwa + l as in “parcel” vs. the syllabic l as in “bottle.” I asked which would be in my name. He has a hearing problem so I had to say my name very loud, several times, then slowly so he knew the proper transcription. So the class heard me say my name loudly, and slowly 5-6 times. It’s the schwa–because r-l is too fast without an interceding sound, so you need the schwa vowel between.
We still had time in class so the prof told us to give him some words and he would transcribe them for us. I said “onawanpia.” And again because of his hearing loss had to say it louder. He said it was a great word, and hard, then had me say it slowly. The gals behind me were repeating “onamanapia.” Uh-oh. I realized I have been saying that word wrong, not only today, but my whole life. Plus, everyone knew my name from before. So I looked totally ignorant. And the professor called me out and asked if I wanted him to transcribe it with the –“wana” because he would, and I sheepishly had to tell him to transcribe the proper word.
Doh!
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