| The American Heritage® Book of English Usage. |
A Practical and Authoritative Guide to Contemporary English. 1996.
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7. Pronunciation Challenges: Confusions and Controversy
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| § 26. banal |
Here´s a word whose pronunciation vexes just about everyone, including our Usage Panel. In a recent ballot, 46 percent of the panelists preferred the pronunciation (b -n l´), rhyming with canal; 38 percent said they used (b ´nl), rhyming with anal; 14 percent said (b-näl´), second syllable rhyming with doll; and 2 percent used (bn´l), rhyming with panel. In this situation, there really is no right or wrong choice. Use any of the first three and you will have lots of company. | 1 |
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| The American Heritage® Book of English Usage. Copyright © 1996 by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
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