Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#31786 06/11/01 08:02 PM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1
T
stranger
OP Offline
stranger
T
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1
I, as resident linguaphile in my school, argue with everyone about proper use of words and pronunciation... it is my belief that the word "résumé" is pronounced with an acute accent over both 'e's. And while multiple dictionaries back me up on this, a friend of mine holds steadfastly to the belief that the dictionaries are wrong. He says that having an accent over both 'e's changes the pronunciation of the word. So my question is - aside from the dictionary, is there some definitive source I can use to prove my friend wrong?

Thanks,
Josh.


#31787 06/11/01 08:17 PM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
In French the accents have nothing to do with stress. The word is normally pronounced, in English, something like reh zuh may, or reh zoo may with stress on the first and third syllables and the second syllable somewhere sort of between the two pronunciations I gave. The primary stress would normally be on the third syllable where I come from. In French, the stress is pretty much equal on all syllables and the vowel sounds of the two és are the same, approximating the sound of the final syllable in English but without the final glide that makes it a diphthong in English.


#31788 06/12/01 09:28 AM
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
M
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
M
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
Nah. In Nenglund, it's pronounced seevee.


#31789 06/12/01 11:08 AM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,156
B
old hand
Offline
old hand
B
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,156
The primary stress would normally be on the third syllable where I come from.

I think, like many borrowed words, it has lost its "proper" spelling and pronounciation. I never see it spelled with accents here, and we all say REH-zoo-may. (The first syllable's e sound is like in chest.) (And we are supposed to be a bilingual country, but the practical upshot of that is that all the anglos, myself included, have developed our own way of pronouncing French words which is neither French nor English!)


#31790 06/12/01 02:52 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439
W
wow Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439
In my own case I have developed a personal way to distinguish between resume and Curriculum Vitae.
A resume has to do with education and work experience only.
A CV has more of "life experience" which may be applicable to the position sought.
CV being more lengthy than a resume.

Anyway, after years of dealing with applications, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!
wow




#31791 06/12/01 03:05 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
a CV might also include your date of birth, sex and marriage status-- all of which it is illegal to ask someone in US.
I have seen CV's with photo's attached, and ones that mention the persons religon.. again-- No-no's in US.

Many resume's for executive positions now also include a seperate sheet listing publications, honorary degree's, a list of charities/non profit organiziation that the person heads (or has founded)-- and of course-- a list of relevant URL's! On line resumes have active links.


#31792 06/12/01 03:11 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,156
B
old hand
Offline
old hand
B
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,156
a CV might also include your date of birth, sex and marriage status-- all of which it is illegal to ask someone in US. I have seen CV's with photo's attached, and ones that mention the persons religon.. again-- No-no's in US.

Really? I had a friend who was applying for a job in Florida (at a cancer centre), and they wanted all that info, picture and everything. We were shocked because you're totally not allowed to ask for that here. [confused-e]


#31793 06/12/01 03:17 PM
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
M
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
M
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
But they still try, sometimes. I once attended an interview where all the candidates were asked a completely innappropriate question, in order to deliberately test our ability to stand up for ourselves with dignity and firmness. Sneaky bastards - I declined the job on that hint of their pattern of behaviour.


#31794 06/12/01 04:21 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439
W
wow Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439
But they still try,
So true Maverick!

Oh, the tales I could tell ... starting from 1950!


#31795 08/10/01 01:17 PM
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 609
R
addict
Offline
addict
R
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 609
Since this is a short thread and this is vaguely on topic, I thought I'd post this here. Seen several like this poem before but not this one.
http://ehiggins.tripod.com/humrlang.htm#EnglishisTough
Even I had problems with a couple.
Rod


Page 1 of 2 1 2

Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics13,915
Posts230,127
Members9,198
Most Online4,270
Aug 30th, 2025
Newest Members
testawad, Bill_L, achz, MAGNVSTALSMA, Burlyfish
9,198 Registered Users
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 2,491 guests, and 1 robot.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days)
Top Posters
wwh 13,858
Faldage 13,803
Jackie 11,613
wofahulicodoc 11,032
tsuwm 10,542
LukeJavan8 9,968
AnnaStrophic 6,511
Wordwind 6,296
of troy 5,400
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2025 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5