Learn How to Pronounce boatswain
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How to pronounce:
boatswain
Definition:
(nou) a petty officer on a merchant ship who controls the work of other seamen
Phonetic Transcription:
ˈbəʊsən
Examples:
He is the boatswain of the 'Jolly Roger'.
Allen was the boatswain of John Paul Jones.
The boatswain lost his arm in the accident.
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Common mistakes of boatswain pronunciation
- Mispronouncing the first syllable: Many say "boatswain" as "boat-swain" with equal stress. The correct pronunciation is /ˈboʊ.sən/ in US English and /ˈbəʊ.sən/ in UK English. Tip: Focus on the first syllable and reduce the second.
- Ignoring the silent letters: Some pronounce "boatswain" as if all letters are vocalized, saying "boats-wain." The "t" is silent. Tip: Remember that the "t" in "boatswain" is not pronounced; it's /ˈboʊ.sən/ or /ˈbəʊ.sən/.
- Overemphasizing the second syllable: A common mistake is stressing the second syllable, saying "boat-SWAIN." The correct stress is on the first syllable. Tip: Practice saying "boʊ.sən" or "bəʊ.sən" with a clear emphasis on the first part.
- Using the wrong vowel sound: Some mispronounce "boatswain" with an incorrect vowel sound, saying "boat-swa-in." The correct vowel sound is a schwa. Tip: Listen for the schwa sound in "sən" to pronounce it correctly.
- Confusing with similar words: People often confuse "boatswain" with "bosun," thinking they are pronounced the same. While they are related, "boatswain" has a specific pronunciation. Tip: Remember that "boatswain" is /ˈboʊ.sən/ or /ˈbəʊ.sən/, while "bosun" is typically pronounced /ˈboʊ.sən/.