...writers on the subject of pronunciation. Dr. Johnson's general rule, that " those are to be considered as the most elegant speakers who deviate least from the written words," has been justly censured by Mr. Walker. It has already led to much innovation, and, in many cases,...

...guides in orthoepy. He has justly censured Dr. Johnson's general rule, that " those are to be considered as the most elegant speakers who deviate least from the written words."' If the learned lexicographer's principle were adopted, what strange changes in pronunciation would...

...guides in orthoepy. He has justly censured Dr. Johnson's general rule, that " those are to be considered as the most elegant speakers who deviate least from the written words." If the learned lexicographer's principle were adopted, what strange changes in pronunciation would...

...guides in orthoepy. He has justly censured Dr. Johnson's general rule, that "those are to be considered as the most elegant speakers who deviate least from the written words.'' If the learned lexicographers principle were adopted, what strange changes in pronunciation would be...

...by Dr. Johnson's laying down (Preface to Dictionary; cf. Ellis p. 627) as »the best general rule, to consider those as the most elegant speakers who deviate least from the written words ». As Koeppel points out 1. c. (referring to Miss Soames), this supremacy of orthography is at work...

...however, generally formed their tables according to the cursory speech of those with whom they happened to converse ; and concluding, that the whole nation combines...elegant speakers who deviate, least from the written ivords\ The existence of theoretical pronunciations can sometimes be proved by the lack of consistency...

...liebsten, welche dem Schriftbild am nächsten kommt. Er folgt hier seinem Freund Dr. Johnson, der sagt: 'For pronunciation, the best general rule is, to consider...elegant speakers who deviate least from the written words'1. So zieht er (in G) in merchant und clerk die dem Schriftbild entsprechende Aussprache mit...

...who seek to determine a standard of pronunciation ? Dr. Johnson laid down as " the best general rule, to consider those as the most elegant speakers who deviate least from the written words." ' This was entirely theoretical, and was penned in ignorance of the historical variations of the orthoepical...

...cannot ever be sure as to any particular word and we cannot by any means accept the view of Dr. Johnson "to consider those as the most elegant speakers who deviate least from the written words." w In addition to dependence upon the spelling as the basis for determining the proper sounds of words...

...tendency prevalent since his day is the dictum to be found in his Grammar: "For pronunciation the best rule is, to consider those as the most elegant speakers who deviate least from the written words." Quite consistent with this position is his attitude toward reforms in orthography. The arguments against...