Elision in Engilish pronunciation

引言

来看一个简单的例子，fifth怎么发音的？(美音)不是/ˈfɪfθ/，而是/ˈfɪθ/。那么什么是elision呢？来看维基百科上的解释：

In linguistics, an elision or deletion is the omission of one or more sounds (such as a vowel, a consonant,
or a whole syllable) in a word or phrase.The word elision is frequently used in linguistic description
of living languages, and deletion is often used in historical linguistics for a historical sound change.

其中vowel指的是元音，如/a/,/e/,/i/,/o/,/u/等。consonant指的是辅音，除了元音剩下的就是辅音。syllable意为音节（the word water is composed of two syllables: wa and ter）。

规则

辅音+元音的连读（Consonant + Vowel）
辅音+辅音的连读
元音+元音的连读
T, D, S 或 Z + Y的连读

容易读错的单词： Silent letters in English

Silent B

bomb: /bɑm/
aplomb: /ə’plɑm/ : great coolness and composure under strain
climb: /klaɪm/ -> climbing: /'klaɪmɪŋ/
comb: /kom/ : a flat device with narrow pointed teeth on one edge; disentangles or arranges hair
crumb: /krʌm/: a very small quantity of something; break into crumbs
debt: /dɛt/ -> debit: /'dɛbɪt/
doubt: /daʊt/ -> doubting: /'daʊtɪŋ/
dumb: /dʌm/ : unable to speak
numb: /nʌm/ : lacking sensation; unresponsive; frightened or stunned with terror
lamb: /læm/ : young sheep
limb: /lɪm/ : arm; flipper; leg; branch
plumb: /plʌm/ : adjust with a plumb line so as to make vertical
subtle: /'sʌtl/ : elusive; faint and difficult to analyze
succumb: /sə’kʌm/ : be fatally overwhelmed; consent reluctantly (unwillingly)
thumb: /θʌm/
tomb: /tum/
womb: /wum/ : (==uterus) A woman’s womb is the part inside her body where a baby grows before it is born; contains the developing fetus

Silent C

abscess: /'æb’sɛs/ : a painful swelling containing pus
ascend: /ə’send/ : slope upwards -> ascent (noun.) : an upward slope or grade; a movement upward
descend: /dɪ’sɛnd/ : move downward
conscience: /kɑːnʃəns/ : not /kɑːn+'saɪəns/ : motivation deriving from ethical or moral principles
conscious: /'kɑnʃəs/ : intentionally conceived; be conscious of something==you notice it or realize that it is happening
crescent: /'krɛsnt/ : shape of a new moon
discipline -> disciple: /dɪ’saɪpl/ : the man who believes and helps to spread the doctrine of another
fascinate: /'fæsə’net/ : cause to be interested or curious, enamored
fluorescent: /flɔ’rɛsnt/ : emitting light -> a fluorescent lamp
incandescent: /'ɪnkən’dɛsnt/ : emitting light and being heated -> an incandescent lamp
luminescent: /lʊmə’nɛsnt/ : emitting light not caused by heat
isosceles: /aɪ’sɑsə’liz/ : an isosceles triangle has two sides of equal length
miscellaneous: /'mɪsə’lenɪəs/ : a haphazard assortment of many different kinds of things
- haphazard: /hæpˈhæzərd/ : dependent on by chance, great carelessness
- hazardous: /'hæzɚdəs/ : involving risk or danger, especially to people’s health or safety
obscene: /əb’sin/ : something offends you because it relates to sex or violence which is unpleasant and shocking
resuscitate: /rɪ’sʌsɪtet/ : return to consciousness; become active or successful again; recover (economic growth)
scenario: /sə’nærɪo/ : an outline or synopsis of a play or event
scene: /sin/
scent: /sɛnt/ : a distinctive odor that is pleasant; be smelly…

Silent D

handkerchief: /'hæŋkɚtʃɪf/ : a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory
sandwich: /'sænwɪtʃ/ — Warning: not sanwitch! —
Wednesday: /wɛnzdɪ/ — Warning: not wendsday! —

Silent G

align: /ə’laɪn/ : place in a line; align yourself with a particular group (with the same political aim)
benign: /bɪ’naɪn/ : not dangerous to health, pleasant and beneficial; kindness of disposition or manner
campaign: /kæm’pen/ : a connected series of military operations; a race between candidates for elective office; the candidate kicked off his campaign with a speech…
champagne: /ʃæm’pen/
cologne: /kə’ləʊn/ : 古龙。。。香水 a perfumed liquid composed of alcohol and fragrant oils
consign: /kən’saɪn/ : commit irrevocably; to give over to another’s care; deliver into the hands or control of another
feign: /fen/ : make believe with the intent to deceive, feigned sleep, feigned illness.
gnail: /nɑːl/ : something twisted and tight and swollen into a state of deformity; make complaining noises
gnash: /næʃ/ : grind together of teeth, mean they are angry or frustrated about something
gnat: /næt/ : A gnat is a very small flying insect that bites people and usually lives near water.
- strain at a gnat (focusing on small things) while swallowing a camel (ignoring larger things)
- penny-wise and pound-foolish
gnaw: /nɔ/ : bite or chew on with the teeth; become ground down or deteriorate
gnome: /nəʊm/ : a legendary creature resembling a tiny old man; lives in the depths of the earth and guards buried treasure; a short pithy saying or maxim expressing a general truth or principle
reign: /ren/ : a period during which something or somebody is dominant or powerful (monarch, e.g. during the reign of Henry VIII), have sovereign power, be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
resign: /rɪ’zaɪn/ : quit, leave (a job, post, or position) voluntarily, give up or retire

Silent H

anchor
archeology: /ɑrki’ɑlədʒi/ : the branch of anthropology that studies prehistoric people and their cultures
architect: /'ɑrkɪtɛkt/ : an architect is a person who designs buildings
archive: /'a:kaivz/ : collection of records especially about an institution (An institution is a large important organization such as a university, church, or bank.)
chaos
characteristic
charisma: /kə’rɪzmə/ : a personal attractiveness or interestingness that enables you to influence others
chrome
echo
leprechaun: /lɛprəkɔn/ : a mischievous elf in Irish folklore
- mischievous: naughtily or annoyingly playful; deliberately causing harm or damage
- deliberately: in an intentional manner
loch: /lɑk/ : 洛克; a long narrow inlet of the sea in Scotland (especially when it is nearly landlocked)
mechanical
melancholy: /'mɛlənkɑli/ : a constitutional tendency to be gloomy and depressed, thoughtful sadness
monarch: /'mɑnɚk/ : a nation’s ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right. The monarch of a country is the king, queen, emperor, or empress
monochrome: /'mɑnəkrom/ : shows black, white, and shades of grey, but no other colours; painting done in a range of tones of a single color
orchestra: /'ɔrkɪstrə/ : a musical organization consisting of a group of instrumentalists including string players
- Philharmonic: 爱乐乐团 perform symphonies
orchid: /'ɔrkɪd/ : 'Girls need a laboratory, like an orchid needs a nursery, ’ says Ms. Beyer.
psychic: /'saɪkɪk/ : human mind or something beyond the natural range of perception
scheme
school
stomach; stomachache: /'stʌmək,ek/
technical; technique; technology

Silent K or M or N

knack: /næk/ : know-how; a particularly clever or skilful way of doing something successfully, especially something which most people find difficult.
knapsack: /'næpsæk/ : a leather bag carried by a strap on your back or shoulder
knave: /nev/ : dishonest and should not be trusted; a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel
knead: /nid/ : press and squeeze it to make uniform
kneel: /nil/ : rest one’s weight on one’s knees, bend your legs so that your knees are touching the ground.
knell: /nɛl/ : bell ring as in announcing death
knickers: /'nɪkɚz/ : trousers ending above the knee (short pants)
knight
knit: /nɪt/ : a fabric made by knitting
knob: /nɑb/ : a round handle
knoll: /nol/ : a small natural hill
knot: /nɒt/ : a unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour; a piece of string, rope twisted and tight and swollen
knuckle: /'nʌkl/ : a joint of a finger when the fist is closed.
- e.g. He would not knuckle down under their pressure.
mnemonic: /nɪ’mɑnɪk/ : a rhyme or acronym used to aid recall; a word, short poem, or sentence that is intended to help you remember things such as scientific rules or spelling rules.
autumn: /'ɔtəm/
column: /'kɑləm/
condemn: /kən’dɛm/ : (Vt) express strong disapproval of; declare or judge unfit; you say that it is very bad and unacceptable
damn
hymn: /hɪm/ : a song of praise (to God or to a saint or to a nation)
solemn: /'sɑləm/ : very serious rather than cheerful; dignified, humorless and somber

Silent P

psychology: /saɪ’kɑlədʒi/ : the scientific study of the human mind and the reasons for people’s behaviour
pneumonia: /nʊ’monɪə/ : a respiratory disease characterized by inflammation of the lung
pseudo: /'sʊdo/ : a person who makes deceitful pretenses --> pseudo code （伪代码）
psychiatrist: /saɪ’kaɪətrɪst/ : a physician who specializes in psychiatry
- psychiatry: dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders
- psychotic: /saɪ’kɑtɪk/ (silent p and silent h) : a type of severe mental illness; a person afflicted with psychosis
receipt: /rɪ’sit/ : a piece of paper that you get from someone as proof that they have received money or goods from you.

Silent T

debut: /'deibju:/ : the act of beginning something new
apostle: /ə’pɑsl/ : the apostles were the followers of Jesus Christ who went from place to place telling people about him and trying to persuade them to become Christians.
bristle: /'brɪsl/ : a stiff hair; rise up as in fear
bustle: /'bʌsl/ : a rapid active commotion; move or cause to move energetically or busily; in a hurried way
castle: /'kæsl/ : a large and stately mansion; a large building formerly occupied by a ruler and fortified against attack
fasten: /'fæsən/ : to fix firmly, to attach especially by pinning, tying, or nailing
glisten: /'ɡlɪsn/ : give off a sparkling. If something glistens, it shines, usually because it is wet or oily.
hustle: /'hʌsl/ : to crowd or push roughly, forcibly or hurriedly, to urge forward **precipitately **
- precipitate: to throw violently
jostle: /'dʒɑsl/ : to come in contact or into collision; to force by pushing
moisten: /'mɔɪsn/ : make sth moist which means slightly or moderately wet
mortgage: /'mɔrɡɪdʒ/ : a lien against property as for securing a loan, e.g. housing mortgage
nestle: /'nɛsl/ : 雀巢 to settle snugly or comfortably; to lie in an inconspicuous or sheltered manner
- conspicuous: obvious to the eye or mind; attracting attention
rustle: /'rʌsl/ : to act or move with energy or speed, a rustling sound: 沙沙声
soften: /'sɔfn/
thistle: /'θɪsl/ : a wild plant which has leaves with sharp points and purple flowers. 蓟
trestle: /'trɛsl/ : a braced frame of timbers, piles, or steelwork serving as a support
wrestle: /'rɛsl/ : to engage in deep thought, consideration, or debate, as if in a violent or determined struggle. e.g. wrestle with a difficult problem. Origional meaning: a kind of sport

Silent U

baguette: /bæˈgɛt/ : a type of long, thin loaf of white bread which is traditionally made in France.
biscuit: /'bɪskɪt/ : the small round bread leavened with baking-powder or soda
circuit: /'sɝkɪt/ : an electrical device that provides a path for electrical current to flow
disguise: /dɪs’ɡaɪz/ : the act of concealing the identity of something by modifying its appearance, misrepresenting the true nature of something
guess
guide
guild: /ɡɪld/ : a formal association of people with similar interests; an organization of people who do the same job.
- the Writers’ Guild of America; the Lawyers’ Guild; the Commerce Guild
guile: /ɡaɪl/ : being skilled in deception; crafty; fraud
guillotine: /'ɡɪlətin/ : 1. kill by cutting the head off with a device called guillotine; 2.closure imposed on the debate of specific sections of a bill
guilt; guilty
guise: /ɡaɪz/ : an artful or simulated semblance, e.g., under the guise of friendship he betrayed them
guitar
rogue: /roɡ/ : deceitful and unreliable, a rogue is a man who behaves in a dishonest or criminal way, a rogue element is someone or something that behaves differently from others of its kind, often causing damage.
silhouette: /,sɪlu’ɛt/ : the outline of an object. e.g. He drew the city in silhouette.

Silent W

sword: /sɔrd/
awry: /ə’raɪ/ : turned or twisted toward one side, not functioning properly/correctly. Go awry = fail
write
playwright: /'pleirait / : someone who writes plays
wrack: /ræk/ : n, the destruction or collapse of something, ruin. vt/vi, smash or break forcefully.
wrangle: /ræŋɡəl/ : to quarrel noisily, angrily or disruptively.
wrath: /ræθ/ : n, intense anger on an epic scale. .e.g. wrath of god
wreak: /rik/ : vt, to cause a great amount of disorder or damage, e.g., wreak havoc
wreath: /riθ/ : flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamental purposes, sometimes lying on the coffin.
laurel wreath: 桂冠
wreck: /rɛk/ : == wrack. shipwreck is an accident that destroys a ship at sea. A wreck is something such as a ship, car, plane, or building that has been destroyed, usually in an accident. The remains/debris is called wreckage.
wrench: /rɛntʃ/ : a hand tool that is used to hold or twist a nut or bolt
wrest: /rɛst/ : obtain by seizing forcibly or violently
wrestle: /'rɛsl/ : See above.
wren: /rɛn/ : kind of a bird
wretch: /rɛtʃ/ : poor soul, bad gay, adj: wretched
wriggle: /'rɪɡl/ : move in a twisting or contorted motion, especially when struggling
wring: /‘rɪŋ’/ : a twisting squeeze
wrinkle: /'rɪŋkl/ : a slight depression/crumpled/creased in the smoothness of a surface; a clever method of doing something
wrist: /rɪst/ : a joint between your hand and your arm ; elbow: 肘hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm
writ: /rɪt/ : (law) a legal document issued by a court or judicial officier that orders a person to do a particular thing.
writhe: /raɪð/ : to move in a twisting or contorted motion, especially when struggling. e.g. He was writhing in agony.
wrought: /rɔt/ : make sth happen or change. original meaning: shaped to fit (锻造、加工）
wrung： /rʌŋ/ : past tense of wring
wry: /raɪ/ : distort; bent to one side. If someone has a wry expression, it shows that they find a bad situation or a change in a situation slightly amusing.