According to the audio pronunciation provided above, and mind you that’s only one source so I realize have not thoroughly researched this topic, Adam, you, me, everyone else in the world have been correctly pronouncing it plat-uh-puhs.

Let’s explore this hottly debated pronunciation of platypus under the lens of phonics. When a vowel is followed directly by a consonant, it generally makes the short sound so “a” for example would make the sound found in “apple” unless there is an “e” after said consonant or that consonant is a “y” as in “day.” Neither of those cases are evident in platypus. Now, if the word’s 3 syllables were divided differently, there is the possiblilty for that long “a” sound in the first syllable (Pla-ty-pus). With that example, it would have a long “a”, however pairing the t with the y would force the y to sound like long “i” because combining and consonant with a y in the same syllable gives it a long sound (for example “by” has a long “i” sound) The word would then be pronounced Play-tie-puhs. Unless Dick is suggesting that the second syllable have a long “i” sound, there is little chance, with the accepted spelling of platypus, that the first syllable can contain a long “a”.

Of course, there are exceptions to these rules, but I don’t think platypus is one of them

In Dick’s defense, the second entry for platypus on the page provided above does use the phonetic spelling for long a (a with a line over it) that would suggest the pronunciation of the first syllable would be “play” however the audio pronunciation found next to it is still “plat” with a short a.

Your phonics teacher friend,
Edna

Hugs,

~ Sam

As you’re aware, it’s really hard to stay focused in the face of my relentlessly over-scheduled existence. Luxuries like writing always tend to fall to the bottom of the priority list. Thanks for making reading my blog closer to the top of yours.

Here’s to changing the world, one rant at a time!

Cheers,

~ Sam

Thanks for the support! I had to start writing again. I could never let you down! By the way, I’m really pleased to see my repeated use of the word “crap” characterized as “insightful”. I’m going to have to incorporate more crap into my everyday speech. Then again, you know where I work. I guess I’m already writing plenty of crap as it is…

Best,

~ Sam