English Pronunciation Tip of the Day
Tip 43
Category: Word
endings
Author: JAM
<-ac> and <-ad>
If a word begins with <ac> and the first syllable is unstressed, it's very likely that the pronunciation will be /@k/ as in accept, acknowledge. However, if a word ends in <-ac> the pronunciation is nearly always /{k/. Examples: almanac cardiac cognac hypochondriac insomniac maniac paranoiac tarmac zodiac. None of these words is stressed on the final syllable, by the way. I can only think of one word ending <-ac> where the pronunciation is /@k/ and that is lilac. If you find any others, please let me know.
The situation is similar with <ad> --very often /@d/ at the beginning of a word when unstressed: address advantage, but /{d/ at the end of a word. There are not many words ending this way (except of course words ending <-ead> and <-oad> of which there are lots) and some of those that do are rather uncommon: gonad monad nomad olympiad triad. There are some exceptions where <-ad> is pronounced /@d/: ballad, salad. I think the word myriad is /"mIri@d/ for some speakers and /"mIri{d/ for others.