How to Pronounce...

So far I have found there are many different ways of saying certain words, largely dependent on the thickness of the accent of the person talking, and how close to a traditional Maori background they are.

I am also already being affected by the accent and losing my Aussie 'strine' as my Mum likes to call it.

Today's words: Noel Leeming

It's a shop, much like a JB Hi-Fi or a Harvey Norman, probably most similar to a Clive Peeters in Australia.

At first glance I thought the second word was Lemming - like those rats that faithfully follow each other off cliff faces and such - and I though "How unfortunate", this was also before I found out what it sold.

Then I had my education on the pronunciation. Before I go on, pronounce it yourself, out loud... and see how well you go.

I was on the phone to someone who had a rather pronounced accent, but only on some words. She was telling me I could go to this place "No-eeeming" and I had no clue what they were talking about. I explained I was new to the country and didn't know what it was.. was it a shop? They told me it was and even the second pronunciation of "Knowlleeeeeming" didn't help me much.

It was a few days later before I figured out what they had said and devised the formula for the correct pronunciation of these words.

1) If there is a double consonant, even if it's two seperate words, they must be run together to make one extended word.
2) If there is 2 'e's together, they must be multiplied by 2 and a half to equal 5 'e's when spoken.
3) If at all possible, make the consonant's almost silent when being said, so there is only a hint they were even there.

Practice at home, and you too can sound like a Keywê!

Next week's lesson: How to pronounce Onehunga