I have heard many people who will say "yes, it 'tis" instead of "yes, it is". Why is that?
Yes, it 'tis
I don't recall hearing anyone say that. My pronunciation of "(yes,) it is" would almost invariably be [I4 "Iz]. Something like [It "t_hIz] or [I "t_hIz] would sound totally unnatural for me.
Perhaps the thing you're hearing is related to the British phenomenon where "at all" is pronounced "a tall" [@ "t_hO:5].
Perhaps the thing you're hearing is related to the British phenomenon where "at all" is pronounced "a tall" [@ "t_hO:5].
To pronounce "Yes, it 'tis." (which would be incorrect anyway) so as to sound distinct from "Yes, it is." takes some effort. Are you sure that that's what you're hearing?
>> I have heard many people who will say "yes, it 'tis" instead of "yes, it is". Why is that?<<
They simply added the archaic 'tis to their speech, because it sounds cool. I know someone who does this.
They simply added the archaic 'tis to their speech, because it sounds cool. I know someone who does this.
>> >> I have heard many people who will say "yes, it 'tis" instead of "yes, it is". Why is that?<<
They simply added the archaic 'tis to their speech, because it sounds cool. I know someone who does this. <<
Especially prevalent in high school students who are studying Shakespeare and deem it funny/cool to imitate the diction and syntax.
I say it's annoying.
They simply added the archaic 'tis to their speech, because it sounds cool. I know someone who does this. <<
Especially prevalent in high school students who are studying Shakespeare and deem it funny/cool to imitate the diction and syntax.
I say it's annoying.
I think what you're really hearing is people overpronouncing the T in "Yes, it is" to be cute. I do that sometimes. Lots of other people do that too. (Especially in an American accent, the T becomes quite muted otherwise.) But it doesn't mean that mentally we consider ourselves to be saying " 'tis".
'Tis folly to be wise. I know - I've tried it - does nothing for me.
Most people, as far as I'm aware, actually don't pronounce the "T" all that clearly - some not at all. In "normal speed" speech it comes out more like an "R" a fair bit of the time, as in "oh, yeah - i'r is innit! Wow!" That is quite standard in everyday London speak as far as I could tell when I was down there. Not so much up here where we know how to speak "proper".
Most people, as far as I'm aware, actually don't pronounce the "T" all that clearly - some not at all. In "normal speed" speech it comes out more like an "R" a fair bit of the time, as in "oh, yeah - i'r is innit! Wow!" That is quite standard in everyday London speak as far as I could tell when I was down there. Not so much up here where we know how to speak "proper".