| @waterjoe -- I'm in the U.S., and I pronounce Ireland as two syllables. But I admit that that "r" syllables are difficult to classify. Are "hire" and "fire" one syllable each or two? I say one; others would say two (i.e., "hire" pronounced like "higher"). Then again, I know people from Brooklyn and Long Island who pronounce "cold" with two syllables: COH-uld. So whatcha gonna do?! @tbh444 -- I agree with you about Myanmar, but some people pronounce it as three syllables (me-AHN-mar). @everyone -- the 1-syllable vs. 2-syllable controversy about Laos will not end. The two extremes have their die-hard defenders, with the vast majority of us seeing merit in both sides. So-called "authorities" on both sides claim definitive knowledge of the correct answer, but it's just not a debate worth having. If asked, "Does the country Laos have one syllable or two?" the best answer is: "Yes." *steps down from soap box* |
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