"libry" for "library".

Guest   Sun Jul 19, 2009 4:22 pm GMT
For those who pronounce "library" as "libry", how is "librarian" pronounced?
Uriel   Sun Jul 19, 2009 6:40 pm GMT
Probably as "librarian". That word doesn't follow the same rules for dropping a syllable as "library" would. Just because they have the same basic root doesn't mean all derivatives will have the same pronunciation rules applied to them.
American   Sun Jul 19, 2009 7:23 pm GMT
Never heard "libry" before. Where do they pronounce it like that? Here it's pronounced as either lie-brerry or lie-berry.
Guest   Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:34 pm GMT
<<Never heard "libry" before. Where do they pronounce it like that?>>

Britain, Australia, New Zealand.
Jérémy   Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:20 pm GMT
The "a" in "library" can be dropped because in BrE (or dialects that are closer to BrE than to GenAm) "a" is totally unstressed; therefore it ought to be pronounced schwa, which often leads the syllable to be compressed or even totally deleted. Same thing in BrE with "secretary". However, "a" in "librarian" or "secretariat" in under primary stress (in all dialects of English), which is why, of course, it has to be pronounced.
K. T.   Mon Jul 20, 2009 12:19 am GMT
Is that syncope?
Uriel   Mon Jul 20, 2009 3:11 am GMT
Syncope is fainting.