Heteronyms
Have you ever heard of heteronyms? Perhaps not by name, but we use them all of the time.
Heteronyms are actually words that are spelled identically but have different meanings when pronounced differently. Sometimes the meanings are completely different, whereas other times they have somewhat related meanings. They can confuse people who are learning English as a second language because of these reasons.
A Few Examples of Heteronyms
Let’s look at the word “estimate”. Pronounced as EStimit, it is used as a noun, as in, “We need to get an estimate of what the costs will be.” Pronounced as Estimate, it is used as a verb, as in “Let’s estimate the time it will take to build the house.”
Another example is in the word “produce”. Said as “PROduce”, it is a noun meaning fresh fruits and vegetables, as in “Let’s buy some fresh produce at the supermarket.” Pronounced as “pruhDUCE”, it is a verb which means to bring into existence, as in, “The company will produce a new model car next year.”
There are a surprising number of heteronyms in the English language. This is a good website to help you discover more of these heteronyms and how to pronounce them. A few common examples are:
- Desert
- Excuse
- Number
- Object
- Perfect
- Present
- Subject
- Wind
Confusing the meaning and pronunciation of this word can lead to misunderstanding among your peers. It’s important to recognize the different meanings of words to have coherent conversations in your workplace and among your peers.
Are you still confused about heteronyms? Don’t worry – it takes a lot of practice to identify heteronyms when you’re learning the English language. I’m here to help! In my Accent Modification program, I’ll create a customized individual learning program for you based on the analysis of your speech. The customized program designed for you will address voice projection, grammar, intonation issues, and Standard American English pronunciation. Learn more about the program here. If you have any questions, reach out to me! I’d be happy to help.
About Derra Huxley, Speech and Language Pathologist
I am a California-licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in Los Angeles. I earned my Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Communicative Disorders from California State University, Northridge. I work as a Preferred Trainer with LDS & Associates – Accent Modification Program, and I am a member of CORSPAN (Corporate Speech Pathology Network). I collaborate with people of all ages to improve their communication and pronunciation skills in schools, hospitals, and private practice settings. To learn more or to contact me, complete this form or reach me at 818-421-7444 I look forward to hearing from you!