'English As She Is Spoke’ (Press, 11 November 1981)

In a new guide released on 11 November 1981, Dr Robert Burchfield, a New Zealander and chief editor of the Oxford English Dictionaries, offers his insights on spoken English to British audiences. Drawing from two years of monitoring BBC radio and listener feedback from Britain, New Zealand, and the United States, Dr Burchfield aims to clarify pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary elements that often spark debate. The guide provides a list of words with common pronunciation issues that can offend listeners if pronounced incorrectly. For instance, he suggests that “composite” should have the stress on the third syllable, while “contribute” should emphasise the second syllable. Other words include “deity,” which should be pronounced as dee-ity, and “government,” where the first ‘n’ should be fully pronounced. Dr Burchfield also advises on words like “jewellery,” where the pronunciation should align with “jewelry,” and the appropriate stresses for “research.” His recommendations extend to other words often mispronounced, including “spontaneity,” “temporary,” “apartheid,” and “harassment.” He suggests that common phonetic missteps involve using incorrect vowel sounds, stresses, or syllable emphasis. Dr Burchfield’s ideal speaker is described as someone raised in the English home counties and educated at a traditional southern university, but he acknowledges that not everyone will agree with his guidelines. He cites a commentator from Radio Carlisle who expressed concern that such pronunciations may alienate northern listeners. Dr Burchfield also critiques the use of clichés in broadcasting, recommending simpler expressions instead, such as using “rich” rather than “affluent” or “important” instead of “crucial.” He encourages avoiding overly formal constructs, advocating for more straightforward expressions and suggests that avoiding split infinitives is preferable, although not mandatory. In addressing potential resistance from BBC broadcasters regarding his suggestions, Ian McIntyre, controller of BBC Radio 3, reassured that there would be no punitive measures for ignoring the guidelines, labelling them as sensible advice that many would consider. Dr Burchfield admits that developing the guide has been challenging, sharing a personal anecdote of consulting with Sir Alec Cairncross about the pronunciation of “economic,” ultimately concluding that both pronunciations are acceptable as long as one is consistent. This guide aims to promote clearer and more relatable spoken English for BBC announcers and listeners alike, enhancing communication across diverse audiences.

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