Know Your English (Jan 2002)-8

Know your English

What is the correct pronunciation of the word ``harass"?

The manner in which you pronounce this word will, to a large extent, depend on which side of the Atlantic you are from. For example, if you are from England, then you would tend to pronounce the first "a" like the "a" in "cat", "bat" and "act". The second would be pronounced like the "a" in "China" and the main stress would be on the first syllable. If, on the other hand, you come from the U.S., then you would do the exact opposite. You would pronounce the first "a" like the "a" in "China" and the second "a" like the "a" in "cat". The stress in this case would be on the second syllable.

Source:

The Hindu daily, Tuesday, Jan 08, 2002