Y/ vowel-consonant
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Message de marit64 posté le 28-03-2013 à 23:57:32 (S | E | F)
Hi everybody!
I've just learned that the letter "y" can be either a consonant or a vowel depending on the context. I think it could go with the sound, for instance; if I say "you", it's a consonant and if I say "study", it's a vowel.
Please could you tell me if I'm right or wrong?
The more we learn a second language the more we realise that we almost know nothing.
Thanks for your answering.
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Modifié par lucile83 le 29-03-2013 07:48
Message de marit64 posté le 28-03-2013 à 23:57:32 (S | E | F)
Hi everybody!
I've just learned that the letter "y" can be either a consonant or a vowel depending on the context. I think it could go with the sound, for instance; if I say "you", it's a consonant and if I say "study", it's a vowel.
Please could you tell me if I'm right or wrong?
The more we learn a second language the more we realise that we almost know nothing.
Thanks for your answering.
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Modifié par lucile83 le 29-03-2013 07:48
Réponse: Y/ vowel-consonant de sherry48, postée le 29-03-2013 à 02:56:58 (S | E)
Hello.
Yes, the y is often called a 'sometimes vowel'. Some words that have the y as a vowel come from the Greek language. Gymnasium is one example. The main reason for using y as a vowel, is that English words don't end in i. If a word has the sound of i at the end, often because it comes from another language, such as French, it will always be a y. Examples are why and cry. Sherry
Réponse: Y/ vowel-consonant de prescott, postée le 29-03-2013 à 03:02:19 (S | E)
Hello,
You are right..., according to the Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd edition (1989):
The letter Y (named wye/ˈwaɪ/, plural wyes),was originally established as a vowel. In standard English, it is regarded as a consonant, but in most English text 'Y' more frequently functions as a vowel. In many cases, it is known as a semivowel.
more detail and examples here:
Lien internet
Réponse: Y/ vowel-consonant de rogermue, postée le 29-03-2013 à 09:28:18 (S | E)
Hello Marit64,
I would say you are absolutely right in your first post. y is a consonant when pronounced /j/ (in phonetic writing) and it is a vowel when pronounced /i/. In words such as 'why, to cry' it is even a "double vowel" or diphthong, pronounced /ai/.
And what you say in your last sentence
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Modifié par lucile83 le 29-03-2013 12:49
Réponse: Y/ vowel-consonant de marit64, postée le 04-04-2013 à 00:20:57 (S | E)
Hi everybody!
I'd like to thank you for your answers. Now, it seems easier to understand. I'll try not to forget. I've been studying English for many years and I've never heard that from my teachers before.
Thanks again, each one of you is an
Enjoy your week!
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