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How to pronounce the indefinite article 'a'?



 
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How to pronounce the indefinite article 'a'? #1 (permalink) Fri Feb 06, 2009 14:25 pm   How to pronounce the indefinite article 'a'?
 

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Hello everyone,

I just listened to the grammar lesson called 'Articles — both definite and indefinite' which was written by Alan and read by Brandee Sweesy. In this recording, Brandee Sweesy pronounced the indefinite article 'a' in two ways--[ei] and [ə]. I'd like to know if both pronunciations are acceptable? Is there any difference between them?

Many thanks,
Shi Weiqiang
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Infin1ty
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How to pronounce the indefinite article 'a'? #2 (permalink) Sun Feb 08, 2009 21:29 pm   How to pronounce the indefinite article 'a'?
 

I'm a native speaker and an EFL teacher. Both [ei] and [ə] are correct, although [ei] is usuaully used when refering to the letter while [ə] is generally used as an article.
MikeNolan
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How to pronounce the indefinite article 'a'? #3 (permalink) Mon Feb 09, 2009 3:50 am   How to pronounce the indefinite article 'a'?
 

Thank you very Mike. :D
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Infin1ty
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How to pronounce the indefinite article 'a'? #4 (permalink) Fri Aug 19, 2011 22:23 pm   How to pronounce the indefinite article 'a'?
 

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Hello Infin1ty,

I know Alan's essay . It is very good than the other ones. You are not the first who ask why the reader say "ei"
When she reads 'a' than a letter she can say "ei" but when it is indefinite article the most people say than Jennifer, and of course Alan also. Only unfortunately not him read out this very good essay.
Here Jennifer lessons about the article.


Bye:
Kati Svaby
Kati Svaby
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How to pronounce the indefinite article 'a'? #5 (permalink) Sat Aug 20, 2011 6:07 am   How to pronounce the indefinite article 'a'?
 

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Hello yesterday evening when I wrote this letter I couldn't remember the name of the "schwa". I wanted to write this word when I had spoken about the pronunciation of the indefinite article of "a". Today morning I didn't think of it and it came to my mind. It is interesting how our mind works.Isn't it?
Kati
Kati Svaby
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Joined: 26 Nov 2009
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