hostel

For me, 'hostel' is pronounced [ˈhɒstəl], with [ə] in the second syllable; but in Australia, I hear it usually pronounced as [ˈhɒstel], with [e] in the second syllable. I don't know if this is common throughout the world, or if it only occurs in Australia. Anyway, it is similar to the pronunciation of words such as 'polygon' (which I discussed ealier) which also nowadays have a full vowel rather than a schwa in the final syllable.

In this case, the pronunciation of 'hostel' is becoming more similar to 'hotel' (apart from the [s]), which of course is a cognate with 'hostel'. I believe this is unusual, as words that are cognate but have distinct meanings, such as 'guardian' and 'warden' and also 'skirt' and 'shirt', tend to develop distinct pronunciations'.

omicron

Recently, we have heard a lot about the omicron strain of Covid. So, how should one pronounce 'omicron'?

Between the ages of 9 and 13, I learned Greek. I didn't learn very much, but one thing I did learn was the Greek alphabet, and 'omicron' was pronounced as [əʊˈmaɪkrɒn], with the stress on the second syllable. However, now I always hear it pronounced as [ˈɒmɪkrɒn], with stress on the first syllable and the first vowel as [ɒ] rather than [əʊ].

I just checked in The Longman Pronunciation Dictionary (3rd Edition, J. C. Wells, 2008), where my pronunciation [əʊˈmaɪkrɒn] is listed as the preferred one but [ˈɒmɪkrɒn] is given as an alternative. Furthermore, it seems that stress on the first syllable is the only possibility in American English, and that might explain why it is the pronunciation that is winning out.

I guess I'll have to learn to say [ˈɒmɪkrɒn], just like everyone else. Or I could obstinately retain my original pronunciation, to show my erudite knowledge of Greek. The trouble with that is that most people would probably just hear it as wrong and not pick up on my attempt to demonstrate of a profound knowledge of classical languages.

Leaving Brunei

I haven't posted on ths blog for over a year now, as I retired from UBD in September 2020 and left Brunei in December. Since then I have been living in Melbourne. However, my links with Brunei will continue, as I retain a position as a Visiting Professor at UBD (though how much "visiting" will actually take place is still questionable, with this Covid situation).

In fact, it turns out that retirement is a relative concept, as I still do stuff. I miss the teaching, though I don't miss the grading of exams and student assignments, and I am also grateful not to have to attend meetings. I still write stuff and read lots, so maybe I will continue to post things once in a while, though only some of the topics will be about Brunei.

The thing I miss the most is the forest; so here's a picture taken in Tasek Lama to remind me of that.

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