Homographic Proper Names: On Peculiarities of Pronunciation Registration

Abstract

The article considers phonetic variants of English proper names that comprise homographic groups, and some impairments during their registration in pronouncing dictionaries. The authors present the results of lexicographic and comparative analysis of units extracted from two pronouncing dictionaries: "Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary" by D. Jones and "Longman Pronunciation Dictionary" by J. Wells using the continuous sampling method. Particular attention is focused on the methods of registration and completeness of phonetic notation of homographs pronunciation. A number of peculiarities are noted in recording semantics, phonetic-and-orthographic variations in some homogroups in British and American English. Clear inconsistency and insufficiency of lexicographic parametrization of both homographic proper names and their national and social pronunciation variants, as well as the meanings of common and proper names are revealed. The conclusion is made about the accuracy of "Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary" in terms of registering several British and American variants of onyms pronunciation, supplemented by additional comments on the phonetic variants and meanings of numerous types of proper names (anthroponyms, toponyms, ergonyms). The data obtained are required for differentiating the meanings of proper names, correct use of onyms and appellatives in oral speech, as well as for compiling dictionaries and reference books.