| − | Some languages have fixed rules of pronunciation. For example, in [[French]], the same [[letter]]s and [[syllable]]s are almost invariably pronounced the same way whenever they occur. In [[English]], however, letters can be pronounced in many different ways. For example, there are approximately twenty-five different [[vowel]] sounds, which can be conveyed by only five vowels (or six if '''Y''' is counted), and the combination ''''ough'''' can be pronounced at least eight different ways.<ref>As in rough, through, bough, cough, thorough, thought, though, and hiccough.</ref> | + | Some languages have fixed rules of pronunciation. For example, in [[French]], the same [[letter]]s and [[syllable]]s are almost invariably pronounced the same way whenever they occur. In [[English]], however, letters can be pronounced in many different ways. For example, there are approximately twenty-five different [[vowel]] sounds, which can be conveyed by only five vowels (or six if '''Y''' is counted), and the combination ''''ough'''' can be pronounced at least eight different ways.<ref>As in rough, through, bough, cough, dough, thought, though, and hiccough.</ref> |