A fabulous example of 19th century alliteration. - 11/29/00 05:38 AM
Hello to all of you linguaphiles out there in Cyberland (is that a toponym?)
During the course of my work, I came across a book called "Peter Piper's Practical Principles of Plain and Perfect Pronunciation", first published about 1830. The copy I read was a reprint of the 1911 edition. It contains one of the most "Pleasant" and "Peculiar" and almost "Perfect" alliterative "Prefaces" that I have read. There are also some rather "Pleasing" words included in it! So, without further ado, he it is:
"PETER PIPER'S PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES OF PLAIN AND PERFECT PRONUNCIATION"
Preface
Peter Piper, without pretension to precocity or profoundness, puts pen to paper to produce these puzzling pages, purposely to please the palates of pretty prattling playfellows, proudly presuming that with proper penetration it will probably, and perhaps positively, prove a peculiarly pleasant and profitable path to proper, plain and precise pronunciation.
He prays to parents to purchase this playful performance, partly to pay him for his patience and pains; partly to provide for the profit of the printers and publishers; but principally to prevent the pernicious prevalence of perverse pronunciation.
Published by Dover Publications, New York.
ISBN 0-486-22560-7
PS I sent this to Anu awhile back BEFORE I opened my eyes and discovered this forum. Please note that I will endeavor to keep future posts MUCH shorter!
During the course of my work, I came across a book called "Peter Piper's Practical Principles of Plain and Perfect Pronunciation", first published about 1830. The copy I read was a reprint of the 1911 edition. It contains one of the most "Pleasant" and "Peculiar" and almost "Perfect" alliterative "Prefaces" that I have read. There are also some rather "Pleasing" words included in it! So, without further ado, he it is:
"PETER PIPER'S PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES OF PLAIN AND PERFECT PRONUNCIATION"
Preface
Peter Piper, without pretension to precocity or profoundness, puts pen to paper to produce these puzzling pages, purposely to please the palates of pretty prattling playfellows, proudly presuming that with proper penetration it will probably, and perhaps positively, prove a peculiarly pleasant and profitable path to proper, plain and precise pronunciation.
He prays to parents to purchase this playful performance, partly to pay him for his patience and pains; partly to provide for the profit of the printers and publishers; but principally to prevent the pernicious prevalence of perverse pronunciation.
Published by Dover Publications, New York.
ISBN 0-486-22560-7
PS I sent this to Anu awhile back BEFORE I opened my eyes and discovered this forum. Please note that I will endeavor to keep future posts MUCH shorter!
Welcome, drum - what a great first post! I wonder now if anybody could find the assonance equivalent? Keep 'em coming!