Questions about English used in New Zealand.
5
votes
1answer
160 views
Cardinal British Dates - A Kiwi Original?
I had never heard the use of cardinal numbers in dates when speaking until I moved to New Zealand. It seems particularly prevalent in TV and radio advertising, but doesn't seem to follow either ...
7
votes
1answer
291 views
Is “early mark” only used in Australia and New Zealand?
What countries is "early mark" used in? It means being let out of something, typically school, early.
onelook.com only reports it being mentioned in Urban Dictionary, and it doesn't have information ...
3
votes
6answers
316 views
Etymology of “choice” — New Zealand vernacular
One of the things that I hear all the time over here in NZ is the phrase 'Choice'. Which is used in a similar way to great or fantastic or awesome. For example,
That party was choice!
I can't ...
6
votes
3answers
557 views
Should pronunciation of the r in “heart” be the same as r in “rabbit”, in UK English?
My 5 yr old daughter was given a task by her teacher to "find as many things as she can that have the sound r" with examples of rabbit, barrow, and ruler (all r's were underlined in the 3 words).
...
5
votes
1answer
661 views
Why are almost all vowels pronounced “i” in New Zealand English?
One thing I always notice when I'm hearing Kiwis speaking English is the fact that almost every vowel turns into /ɪ/. Here's a video which illustrates the point (listen to them when they speak ...
15
votes
4answers
1k views
New Zealand pronunciation of “women” vs “woman”
I have read in a number of places that the NZ pronunciation of "women" must be rather peculiar. Quoting from just one such place:
For some years I've noted the tendency of Kiwis to pronounce ...
