For me these are pronounced the same, but the OED has different pronunciations. Anyone here pronounce them differently?
Real vs. reel
I've heard some variations in the pronunciation of the word "real".
/ri:l/ - This is the one I use most often.
/ri:@l/ - Some people pronounce it as a bisyllabic word.
/rI@l/ - More common in non-rhotic dialects, uses the "ear" diphthong without an r sound.
If one pronounces "real" as /ri:l/ or something similar, it should be the same or very similar to "reel".
/ri:l/ - This is the one I use most often.
/ri:@l/ - Some people pronounce it as a bisyllabic word.
/rI@l/ - More common in non-rhotic dialects, uses the "ear" diphthong without an r sound.
If one pronounces "real" as /ri:l/ or something similar, it should be the same or very similar to "reel".
The OED staff need to get out more.
To all but the most pedantic, and for all practical purposes, the words "real" and "reel" are homophonous.
To all but the most pedantic, and for all practical purposes, the words "real" and "reel" are homophonous.
"real" and "reel" are different for me. "real" is /rI:l/ (that is, with the "ear" sound) while "reel" is /ri:l/.
As a non-native speaker, that's some news for me like they are homophones. I pronounce them differently as all my countrymen do. It was shocking to know that some native speakers pronounce them the same.
"It was shocking to know that some native speakers pronounce them the same."
"Shocking"?
You obviously need to get out more too!
"Shocking"?
You obviously need to get out more too!
I pronounce "real" and "reel" the same, as ["r\i5].
From what I can gather, the "original" pronunciation would have been [r\i.@5], treating the adjectival suffix "-al" as a separate syllable.
In North American English, this has tended to collapse into monosyllabic ["r\i5], which is the pronunciation that Josh Lalonde and I both use.
In RP, "real" was grouped together with words like "idea" and "theater", in which historical [i.@] was smoothed into ["I@], the vowel sound used in RP "ear". So the RP pronunciation of "real" is [r\I@5], which contrasts with "reel" [r\i5]. However, I've read that many British people have merged "real" and "reel".
From what I can gather, the "original" pronunciation would have been [r\i.@5], treating the adjectival suffix "-al" as a separate syllable.
In North American English, this has tended to collapse into monosyllabic ["r\i5], which is the pronunciation that Josh Lalonde and I both use.
In RP, "real" was grouped together with words like "idea" and "theater", in which historical [i.@] was smoothed into ["I@], the vowel sound used in RP "ear". So the RP pronunciation of "real" is [r\I@5], which contrasts with "reel" [r\i5]. However, I've read that many British people have merged "real" and "reel".
I'm a native and I say the two words the same.
I'm a native. I wish I hadn't typed that. Now I have visions of some explorer paddling up the River Medway to see the primitive, polyester-clad natives of Chatham. Quick nurse, bring me my medication!.
I'm a native. I wish I hadn't typed that. Now I have visions of some explorer paddling up the River Medway to see the primitive, polyester-clad natives of Chatham. Quick nurse, bring me my medication!.
According to LPD's opinion poll:
55% of respondents in Britain (1998) prefer /rI@l/
45% prefer /ri:@l/ or /ri:l/
What's interesting is that, for BrE at least, there is a possibility (preferred by 19% of respondents) of /rE@li/ for "really".
55% of respondents in Britain (1998) prefer /rI@l/
45% prefer /ri:@l/ or /ri:l/
What's interesting is that, for BrE at least, there is a possibility (preferred by 19% of respondents) of /rE@li/ for "really".