Polyphonic Letter (Noun)
Meaning
A letter that has two or more pronunciations; "`c' is a polyphone because it is pronounced like `k' in `car' but like `s' in `cell'".
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The English language has many polyphonic letters, which can make pronunciation challenging for non-native speakers.
- The letter "g" is a polyphone because it is pronounced like a hard "g" in "go" but like a soft "g" in "gentle".
- In the word "bow", the letter "o" is a polyphonic letter, as it can be pronounced like "o" in "go" or like "o" in "show".
- The letter "x" is a polyphone because it is pronounced like "ks" in "tax" but like "z" in "excess".
- The polyphonic letter "c" can be pronounced like "k" in "cat" or like "s" in "circle".