Silent Letters At End of Root
The rule is expressed in spelling of the verbs, but is actually related to pronunciation. So if the spelled root ends in a silent letter, this letter should be ignored in applying the rule. This includes also the apostrophe ⟨'⟩ occurring in some verb spellings.
For example:
| Infinitive | Inf. pronunc. | Verb root | Past simple | Past simple pronunc. | Past participle | Past ptc. pronunc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| timen (to time) | /ˈtɑimə(n)/ | time | ik timede | /ˈtɑimdə/ | getimed | /ɣəˈtɑimt/ |
| racen (to race) | /ˈreːsə(n)/ | race | ik racete | /ˈreːstə/ | geracet | /ɣəˈreːst/ |
| deleten (to delete) | /diˈliːtə(n)/ | delete | ik deletete | /diˈliːtə/ | gedeletet | /ɣədiˈliːt/ |
| sms'en (to send a text message) | /ɛsɛmˈɛsə(n)/ | sms | ik sms'te | /ɛsɛmˈɛstə/ | ge-sms't | /ɣə(ʔ)ɛsɛmˈɛst/ |
| gsm'en (to phone using a mobile phone) | /ɣeːɛsˈɛmə(n)/ | gsm | ik gsm'de | /ɣeːɛsˈɛmdə/ | ge-gsm'd | /ɣəɣeːɛsˈɛmt/ |
| petanquen (to play pétanque) | /peːˈtɑŋkə(n)/ | petanque | ik petanquete | /peːˈtɑŋktə/ | gepetanquet | /ɣəpeːˈtɑŋkt/ |
Read more about this topic: 't Kofschip
Famous quotes containing the words silent, letters and/or root:
“It was reported their singing resembled
the flight of moths in moonlight.
Who can say? It is silent now.”
—Denise Levertov (b. 1923)
“How do we know, then, when a code’s been cracked? ... when we are right? ... when do we know if we have even received a message? Why, naturally, when, upon one set of substitutions, sense emerges like the outline under a rubbing; when a single tentative construal leads to several; when all the sullen letters of the code cry TEAM! after YEA! has been, by several hands, uncovered.”
—William Gass (b. 1924)
“And a man of tan engages
For the springtime of her pride,
Eats the green by easy stages,
Nibbles at the root beneath
With intimidating teeth.”
—Gwendolyn Brooks (b. 1917)