A friend reminded me that there was already some phonetic refinement of numbers associated with communications system where accuracy in comprehension was critical. Mostly, it seems is identical and summarised on page 40 Marine Operators VHF handbook.
It shows some tweeking of the English pronunciation presumably where difficulty has been found.
It will be interesting to hear what readers have to say, especially any particular diffuculties and there own experiences.
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Is there a need for more clarity over numbers?
Voice communication still a critical component of communication and it requires no imagination to realise that the importance of clarity of expression is especially critical when it comes to numbers. The phonetic alphabet provides this for letters but there seems to be none for numbers.
In a world where the racial, and therefore linguistic mix is increasing, accents can be troublesome and confusing. People are living longer and therefore hearing issues are on the increase. Increasing age tends to cause, in males at least, an increase in hoarseness of speech.
The spectrum of importance where numbers are spoken is from the inane to what could be life saving information so I believe that some way of reaffirming a number should at least be available.
I think the pronunciation of the numbers in the Latin manner would be a good start and, except for the number 6, one to ten are sufficiently different to their English counterparts and to each other, to avoid confusion. Sex reiterated for six is sufficient reinforcement for that number.
M mille (mihl - leh) one thousand
The Latin would be easily handled by much of Europe and Central and South America - this little to learn should be fairly easy for all.
The very fact that to date there nothing like this has come forth might indeed be speaking for the fact it has not been found necessary. The very fact that the numbers one to ten do sound quite different is probably the main reason. Any phonetic back-up system would at least have to demonstrate at least as good differences in sound.
(There is the issue too of address - just at what point would one try the phonetics - perhaps after one reiteration has failed?)
Despite the present system I personally find there can be confusion; I am quite aged and so are many of my friends who like me have croaky voices, poor hearing and and perhaps often not the best at using the latest phones.
I would like to know what problems, if any, people have or have had and how they think it could be solved.
Thank you.
In a world where the racial, and therefore linguistic mix is increasing, accents can be troublesome and confusing. People are living longer and therefore hearing issues are on the increase. Increasing age tends to cause, in males at least, an increase in hoarseness of speech.
The spectrum of importance where numbers are spoken is from the inane to what could be life saving information so I believe that some way of reaffirming a number should at least be available.
I think the pronunciation of the numbers in the Latin manner would be a good start and, except for the number 6, one to ten are sufficiently different to their English counterparts and to each other, to avoid confusion. Sex reiterated for six is sufficient reinforcement for that number.
| unus (oo-nus) | one | |
| II | duo (du-oh) | two |
| III | tres (trays) | three |
| IV | quattuor (kwuht-tu-ohr) | four |
| V | quinque (kween-kweh) | five |
| VI | sex (sehks) | six |
| VII | septem (sehp-tehm) | seven |
| VIII | octo (ohk-to) | eight |
| IX | novem (noh-wehm) | nine |
| X | decem (deh-kehm) | ten |
| L | quinquaginta (kween-kwah-gihn-tah) | fifty |
| C | centum (kehn-tum) | one hundred |
| D | quingenti (kween-gehn-tee) | five hundred |
| M |
M mille (mihl - leh) one thousand
The Latin would be easily handled by much of Europe and Central and South America - this little to learn should be fairly easy for all.
The very fact that to date there nothing like this has come forth might indeed be speaking for the fact it has not been found necessary. The very fact that the numbers one to ten do sound quite different is probably the main reason. Any phonetic back-up system would at least have to demonstrate at least as good differences in sound.
(There is the issue too of address - just at what point would one try the phonetics - perhaps after one reiteration has failed?)
Despite the present system I personally find there can be confusion; I am quite aged and so are many of my friends who like me have croaky voices, poor hearing and and perhaps often not the best at using the latest phones.
I would like to know what problems, if any, people have or have had and how they think it could be solved.
Thank you.
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