A question for you guys to discuss...

[Sarath]

how do you pronounce the article "the"? some pronounce 'DHI' and some pronounce 'DHA'...
i have some answer but i would like to see some discussion before that.. 

[Keo Somala]

how do you pronounce the article "the"? some pronounce 'DHI' and some pronounce 'DHA'...
i have some answer but i would like to see some discussion before that.. 

Hi Sarath,

As far as the little word 'THE' is concerned, there are two ways to pronounce it but it depends. The first way we pronounce it as 'DHE' is when 'THE' is used before a word which has a first consonant sound. The second way we pronounce it as 'DHI' is when 'THE' is used before a noun which has a first vowel sound.

THE book (pronounced as 'DHE')
THE old   (pronounced as 'DHI')

THE university (pronounced as 'DHE')
THE hour    (pronounced as 'DHI')

Are you trying to say that 'THE' is pronounced as 'DHA' which is 'DHE' in this example (the car)?

[Sarath]

how do you pronounce the article "the"? some pronounce 'DHI' and some pronounce 'DHA'...
i have some answer but i would like to see some discussion before that.. 

Hi Sarath,

As far as the little word 'THE' is concerned, there are two ways to pronounce it but it depends. The first way we pronounce it as 'DHE' is when 'THE' is used before a word which has a first consonant sound. The second way we pronounce it as 'DHI' is when 'THE' is used before a noun which has a first vowel sound.

THE book (pronounced as 'DHE')
THE old   (pronounced as 'DHI')

THE university (pronounced as 'DHE')
THE hour    (pronounced as 'DHI')

Are you trying to say that 'THE' is pronounced as 'DHA' which is 'DHE' in this example (the car)?

I forgot to exclude you initially... 
yes, i agree with you... the pronunciation varies from vowel (sound) to consonant (sound).. 

[Tdol]

You will also hear 'thee' before a consonant occasionally for emphasis. 

[prathna]

That's a good question, I think!
In my point of view, "DHE" and "DHA" are the same but some people tend to pronounce it differently. It depends on their style. That's no different at all.
However, "DHE" and "DHI" are real different, depending on the word after it whether it is consonant or vowel.
That's all for my idea (^_^)

[Keo Somala]

You will also hear 'thee' before a consonant occasionally for emphasis. 

Oh, really, Richard? I never knew it before. Thank you a lot for this new lesson. Anyway, is it an American or British style to pronounce 'thee' before a consonant for emphasis? 

[Kimlong]

You will also hear 'thee' before a consonant occasionally for emphasis. 

You will also hear 'thee' before a consonant occasionally for emphasis. 

Oh, really, Richard? I never knew it before. Thank you a lot for this new lesson. Anyway, is it an American or British style to pronounce 'thee' before a consonant for emphasis? 

That's true Nila! If my membry serves me right, this case seems also to appear in Upper or Advance Headway!

[-Loren-]

For me i'm not gonna concern too much about that as Cambodian speak english far better from the neighboring countries.

[Keo Somala]

For me i'm not gonna concern too much about that as Cambodian speak english far better from the neighboring countries.

Are you sure, Loren, that Cambodians speak English far better than our neighbours? I'm just curious to know. 

[-Loren-]

For me i'm not gonna concern too much about that as Cambodian speak english far better from the neighboring countries.

Are you sure, Loren, that Cambodians speak English far better than our neighbours? I'm just curious to know. 

Of course in term of accent cambodian is much better. I don't need to mention it but just think តិ​ តក់​ តូ អង់គ្លេស you'll recognize it.

[Pros_DingDong]

Are you sure Tdol?
I've paid attention to that. I've heard people enunciated "thee" in front of an emphasized noun. But i also have heard people enunciated "the" for the same purpose. If you know any reference to it, please share with us.

As the belief that Khmers can speak English better than our neighboring countries' people, it probably is true. Khmer language is monotone in speaking and has all kinds of sounds except "th =ts" sound. English native speakers have trouble saying "Tek" (water) because there's no "t" sound in English.

[Pros_DingDong]

correction: "I've never paid attention to that."

[Keo Somala]

As the belief that Khmers can speak English better than our neighboring countries' people, it probably is true. Khmer language is monotone in speaking and has all kinds of sounds except "th =ts" sound. English native speakers have trouble saying "Tek" (water) because there's no "t" sound in English.

You're absolutely right. They can pronounce the word 'Tek' (water) very clearly.