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Spoken Language and Intelligence

10/9/2015

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When you want to show your intelligence to someone, go talk to them rather than using writing.  Apparently our thoughts are judged as more intelligent when they are conveyed  through speaking rather than writing, as shown in a recent series of experiments by University of California at Berkley and the University of Chicago.  Video was also effective, so if you're sending your pitch, why not make a short video?  You can read more about the findings here.
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Learning the American Accent: How to Pronounce Nouns and Verbs

10/2/2015

 
In some cases, the same word can be a noun or a verb.  We pronounce it differently depending on which way we are using it.  A rule that applies to some of these words is that the stress falls on the first syllable when it is a noun, such as in the word produce:  The produce is fresh at that store.  The stress falls on the second syllable with the word is used as a verb:  They produce microchips in Silicon Valley.  Because the stress pattern is different, the vowel will also sometimes change.  We use a vowel schwa (sounds like "uh" as in "cup") to mark an unstressed syllable.  Listen to the example below: 
Notice how in the first sentence, produce sounds like pro-dooce, but in the second sentence, it sounds like pruh-dooce.  We call this vowel clarity - the stressed syllable retains its vowel, whereas the unstressed syllable is reduced to a schwa vowel.  In addition, notice how the first syllable in the noun is much longer than in the verb.  We use a longer vowel on a stressed syllable than an unstressed syllable.  Try some of these phrases, making sure to use a long, clear vowel on the stressed syllable. 
Project:  I have to finish the project. (noun)
  I need to project my voice. (verb)
Increase:  We've seen an increase in sales.  (noun)
  I'd like to increase my salary. (verb)
Conflict:  I have a conflict at that time.  (noun)
  Their schedules conflict. (verb)
Details:  I sent the details via email. (noun)
  The book details the events of last year. (verb)
Here are some additional words which follow this noun/verb stress rule:
decrease
import
discount
desert
refund
present

object
subject
contract
protest
insult
permit

escort
upset
conduct
reject
record
contest

consult
convert
console
compound


When in doubt, it's a good idea to check the pronunciation using an online dictionary.
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