I wonder how an American pronounces…
Catholic
/ˈkæθ-lɪk/
We write: Catholic
We say: /ˈkæθ-lɪk/
The written word has 3 syllables: cath-o-lic.
But in natural speech, we say it as 2 syllables.
We stress the first syllable: /ˈkæθ-/
The second syllable is unstressed: /-lɪk/
Can you hear which written vowel is not pronounced? /ˈkæθ-lɪk/
The pictures above are:
1. a Catholic priest
2. a Catholic pope
3. a Catholic monastery
4. a Catholic cathedral
Now it’s your turn.
Here’s your audio pronunciation quiz.
Which written vowel is not pronounced?