The pronunciation of the word ‘apricot’ has been a subject of debate for centuries. Some people insist on pronouncing it with the stress on the first syllable, while others prefer to emphasize the second. This article will delve into the history and evolution of the word’s pronunciation, examining the arguments for and against each variant. We will also explore the regional variations in pronunciation and provide tips on how to say ‘apricot’ with confidence.
The word ‘apricot’ originates from the 16th century Middle English word ‘abrecock,’ which itself is derived from the Old French ‘abricot.’ The French word, in turn, comes from the Spanish ‘albaricoque,’ which is ultimately derived from the Arabic ‘al-barquq.’ The stress in the Arabic word falls on the second syllable, and this pronunciation was initially adopted in English. However, over time, the stress shifted to the first syllable in English, likely due to the influence of other words with a similar stress pattern, such as ‘apricot’ and ‘ apricot.’ This shift in stress is evident in the writings of Shakespeare, who used the word ‘apricot’ with the stress on the first syllable.
Despite the historical shift in stress, some people continue to pronounce ‘apricot’ with the emphasis on the second syllable. This pronunciation is particularly common in the southern United States and is often considered to be more formal or traditional. However, the pronunciation with the stress on the first syllable is now the more common and accepted pronunciation in both American and British English. Ultimately, the choice of which pronunciation to use is a matter of personal preference. However, it is important to be aware of the different pronunciations and to choose one that is appropriate for the context.
The Great Vowel Shift
The Great Vowel Shift (GVS) was a series of sound changes that affected the pronunciation of vowels in English between the 15th and 17th centuries. It is one of the most important events in the history of the English language, and it had a profound impact on the way that English is pronounced today.
One of the main effects of the GVS was the raising of the long vowels in words such as “name,” “meet,” and “bite.” Before the GVS, these vowels were pronounced with a lower, more open quality. However, during the GVS, they were raised to a higher, more closed position. This can be seen in the following table:
| Before the GVS | After the GVS |
|---|---|
| /a:/ | /ei/ |
| /e:/ | /i:/ |
| /i:/ | /ai/ |
The GVS also affected the pronunciation of the short vowels in words such as “cat,” “bet,” and “sit.” Before the GVS, these vowels were pronounced with a more open quality. However, during the GVS, they were raised to a higher, more closed position. This can be seen in the following table:
| Before the GVS | After the GVS |
|---|---|
| /a/ | /ae/ |
| /e/ | /i/ |
| /i/ | /e/ |
Pronunciation Variations
The pronunciation of “apricot” can vary depending on the region and the individual. Here are some of the most common variations:
**American English**
In American English, “apricot” is typically pronounced with the stress on the first syllable and a short “o” sound. This pronunciation is represented by the phonetic transcription /ˈeɪprɪkɑːt/. The “t” at the end of the word is silent.
**British English**
In British English, “apricot” is typically pronounced with the stress on the second syllable and a long “o” sound. This pronunciation is represented by the phonetic transcription /ˈeɪprɪkɒt/. The “t” at the end of the word is pronounced.
**Other Variations**
In some other regions, “apricot” may be pronounced with a variety of other vowel sounds, including /ɑː/, /ɒ/, and /uː/. The stress pattern may also vary.
| Region | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| American English | /ˈeɪprɪkɑːt/ |
| British English | /ˈeɪprɪkɒt/ |
| Australian English | /ˈeɪprɪkɔːt/ |
| Canadian English | /ˈeɪprɪkɔːt/ |
| Indian English | /əˈprɪkɑːt/ |
Regional Dialects
The pronunciation of “apricot” can vary depending on regional dialects.
British English
In British English, “apricot” is typically pronounced with an “ah”-sound in the first syllable, followed by a “pr” sound in the second syllable, and an “i” sound in the final syllable. The stress is usually placed on the second syllable.
| IPA Transcription | Sample Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| /ˈeɪprɪkɑːt/ | [eh-pri-kaat] |
American English
In American English, there are two common pronunciations of “apricot.” The more common pronunciation is similar to the British pronunciation, with an “ah”-sound in the first syllable and an “pr” sound in the second syllable. The stress is typically placed on the second syllable, as is also common in British English.
The less common American pronunciation has an “eh”-sound in the first syllable, followed by a “pr” sound in the second syllable, and an “i” sound in the final syllable. The stress is usually placed on the first syllable.
| IPA Transcription | Sample Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| /ˈeɪprɪkɑːt/ | [eh-pri-kaat] |
| /ˈæprɪkɑːt/ | [ae-pri-kaat] |
Other Dialects
In some other dialects of English, such as those spoken in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, the pronunciation of “apricot” may vary slightly from the pronunciations described above. For example, in Canadian English, the first syllable may be pronounced with an “eh”-sound, similar to the less common American pronunciation.
Etymological Origins
The word “apricot” has a rich etymological history, tracing its roots back to ancient languages.
Proto-Indo-European
The earliest known origin of the word is the Proto-Indo-European root *ǵʰer-, which likely referred to a yellowish or golden colour.
Latin
From Proto-Indo-European, the word evolved into the Latin word “praecoquum”, meaning “early-ripening”. The term specifically referred to apricots, as they ripen earlier than other stone fruits.
Spanish
The Latin word was eventually adopted into Spanish as “albaricoque”, which later became “albérchigo” in Castilian Spanish. These forms eventually gave rise to the modern English word “apricot”.
| Language | Word |
|---|---|
| Proto-Indo-European | *ǵʰer- |
| Latin | praecoquum |
| Spanish | albaricoque |
| Modern English | apricot |
Word Stress
The stress in "apricot" falls on the second syllable, which is pronounced with a long "i" sound. This means that the first syllable is pronounced more softly and quickly.
Syllabification
The word "apricot" has three syllables:
- a-pri-cot
- a-pri-cot
- a-pri-cot
The first syllable is unstressed, the second syllable is stressed, and the third syllable is unstressed.
Pronunciation
To pronounce "apricot" correctly, follow these steps:
- Start by saying "a" with a short "a" sound.
- Add "pri" with a long "i" sound.
- Finish with "cot" with a short "o" sound.
Stress and Syllabification Table
| Syllable | Pronunciation | Stress |
|---|---|---|
| a | /ə/ | Unstressed |
| pri | /priː/ | Stressed |
| cot | /kɒt/ | Unstressed |
Additional Tips
- Pay attention to the position of your mouth and tongue when you pronounce "apricot."
- Practice saying the word slowly and clearly at first to get the pronunciation right.
- Listen to native speakers pronunciating the word to improve your pronunciation.
Homophones
Words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings are known as homophones. The word “apricot” has several homophones, including “a pricot,” “appricot,” “apricote,” and “apricots.” Here’s a table summarizing these homophones:
| Spelling | Meaning |
|---|---|
| a pricot | A small, sweet fruit with an orange-colored skin and a single seed in the center |
| appricot | A small, sweet fruit with an orange-colored skin and a single seed in the center |
| apricote | A small, sweet fruit with an orange-colored skin and a single seed in the center |
| apricots | The plural form of “apricot” |
Homographs
Words that have the same spelling but different meanings and pronunciations are known as homographs. The word “apricot” is not a homograph because it has only one pronunciation.
Dialectal Variation
The pronunciation of apricot varies widely across different dialects of English. In some dialects, such as American English and Standard British English, the stress is placed on the first syllable, resulting in the pronunciation “AY-pruh-cot.” In other dialects, such as some varieties of Australian English, the stress is placed on the second syllable, resulting in the pronunciation “ay-PRIH-cot.”
Pronunciation
Here are the specific pronunciations for apricot in various dialects of English:
| Dialect | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| American English | AY-pruh-cot |
| Standard British English | AY-pruh-cot |
| Australian English | ay-PRIH-cot |
| New Zealand English | AY-pruh-cot |
| Canadian English | AY-pruh-cot |
| South African English | AY-pry-cot |
Additional Dialects and Pronunciations
Additional dialects and their respective pronunciations include:
– West Country English: “AY-per-cut”
– Midlands English: “AY-per-cut”
– Yorkshire English: “AY-per-cut”
– Lancashire English: “AY-per-cut”
– Newcastle English: “AY-per-cut”
– Glasgow English: “AY-per-cut”
– Belfast English: “AY-per-cut”
– Dublin English: “AY-per-cut”
– Cork English: “AY-per-cut”
– Wexford English: “AY-per-cut”
– Galway English: “AY-per-cut”
Historical Pronunciation shifts
The pronunciation of “apricot” has undergone several shifts over time. The following table outlines the major changes:
| Period | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| Middle English | [aˈprikɔt] |
| Early Modern English | [ˈeɪprɪkɔt] |
| Late Modern English | [əˈpraɪkɔt] |
| Modern English | [ˈeɪprəkɑt] |
8. Modern English
In Modern English, the pronunciation of “apricot” is typically [ˈeɪprəkɑt]. The first syllable is pronounced with a long “a” sound, followed by a short “i” sound and a “k” sound. The second syllable is pronounced with an “ɑ” sound. This pronunciation is common in both British and American English.
However, there are some regional variations in the pronunciation of “apricot.” For example, in some dialects of American English, the second syllable is pronounced with an “ɔ” sound, resulting in a pronunciation of [ˈeɪprəkɔt]. Additionally, in some dialects of British English, the first syllable is pronounced with a short “a” sound, resulting in a pronunciation of [ˈeprɪkɔt].
Cultural Influences on Pronunciation
The pronunciation of apricot is influenced by a variety of cultural factors, including the speaker’s native language, region, and social group. In some cultures, the word is pronounced with a hard “a” sound, while in others it is pronounced with a soft “ah” sound. The “t” at the end of the word may also be pronounced as a “d” in some dialects.
Influence of Language on Pronunciation
The native language of the speaker can significantly influence the pronunciation of apricot. In English, the word is typically pronounced with a hard “a” sound, as in “cat.” However, in Spanish, the word is pronounced with a soft “ah” sound, as in “father.” This difference in pronunciation is due to the different vowel systems of the two languages.
Influence of Region on Pronunciation
The region where the speaker lives can also affect the pronunciation of apricot. In the United States, the word is typically pronounced with a hard “a” sound, while in the United Kingdom, it is often pronounced with a soft “ah” sound. This difference in pronunciation is due to the different regional dialects of English.
Influence of Social Group on Pronunciation
The social group to which the speaker belongs can also influence the pronunciation of apricot. In some social groups, the word is pronounced with a hard “a” sound, while in others it is pronounced with a soft “ah” sound. This difference in pronunciation is due to the different speech patterns of different social groups.
Conclusion
The pronunciation of apricot is influenced by a variety of cultural factors, including the speaker’s native language, region, and social group. These factors can lead to significant variations in the way the word is pronounced.
| Culture | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| English | Hard “a” sound |
| Spanish | Soft “ah” sound |
| American English | Hard “a” sound |
| British English | Soft “ah” sound |
Tips for Pronouncing Apricot Correctly
1. Break the Word into Syllables
To make pronouncing apricot easier, break it down into its two syllables: “a” and “pri-cot.” Pronounce each syllable clearly and separately.
2. Pronounce the “a” as in “apple”
The first syllable, “a,” is pronounced like the “a” in the word “apple.” Avoid making it sound like the “a” in “cat” or “hat.”
3. Pronounce the “pri” as in “principal”
The second syllable, “pri,” is pronounced like the “pri” in the word “principal.” Do not emphasize the “r” sound too much.
4. Pronounce the “cot” as in “cottages”
The third syllable, “cot,” is pronounced like the “cot” in the word “cottages.” Again, avoid making the “t” sound too strong.
5. Relax Your Mouth and Tongue
To produce a natural and relaxed pronunciation, keep your mouth and tongue relaxed throughout the word.
6. Over-Enunciate the Syllables
When practicing, deliberately over-enunciate the syllables to ensure you are pronouncing them correctly.
7. Listen to How Natives Pronounce It
Find online recordings or videos of native English speakers pronouncing apricot and listen attentively to their pronunciation.
8. Use Tongue Twisters or Alliteration
Practice tongue twisters that include the word apricot, such as “Apricots on apricot trees are a treat for me.” Alliteration can also help, e.g., “A ripe, rosy apricot.”
9. Use a Dictionary or Pronunciation Guide
Consult a reliable dictionary or pronunciation guide to confirm the correct pronunciation of apricot.
10. Practice Regularly and Consistently
Pronunciation improvement requires consistent practice. Dedicate time each day or week to practice pronouncing apricot correctly, even just a few times.
| Syllable | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| a | Like “apple” |
| pri | Like “principal” |
| cot | Like “cottages” |
How to Pronounce Apricot
The pronunciation of “apricot” can vary slightly depending on the region. However, the most common pronunciation is “AY-pruh-cot.” The first syllable, “AY,” is pronounced like the letter “A” in the English word “cat.” The second syllable, “pruh,” is pronounced like the letter “U” in the English word “put.” The third syllable, “cot,” is pronounced like the letter “O” in the English word “cot.”
Some people may also pronounce the word “apricot” as “AY-pri-cot.” This pronunciation is less common but is still acceptable. No matter how you choose to pronounce it, make sure to be consistent so that people understand what you are saying.
