Wk 4 Uncommon Sounds

CC2040 English for Academic Skills (Health Care)

Uncommon Sounds (Medical & Health Care Terminology) The pronunciation of most medical terms follows the same rules that govern the pronunciation of most English words. Thus, approach the pronunciation of medical terms as you would any English words. However, it would make good sense to familiarize yourself with the relatively uncommon sounds, some examples of which are listed below: Letter ae (see oe) c

Pronunciation* gU-n_-kolcb-jT

Brief explanation study of diseases unique to women

sU-tolcb-jT

study of the cell

–

chronic

kroncik

pertaining to ill-health, lasting a long time

–

y

s (soft ‘c’) k (hard ‘ch’) i

Example gynaecology, gynecology cytology

dysfunction

dis-f\nkcsh\n

difficult or abnormal function

–

eu

yu

euphoria

yu-fbrcT-^

feeling of well-being, not well founded or exaggerated

“e”

g

j (soft ‘g’) n

gene

jTn

a part of a cell in living thing which controls heredity

–

gnathic

nathcik

relating to the jaw

amoeba, ameba pharmacy pneumonia ptosis rheumatic xenophobia

^-mTcb^

smallest living creature, with one cell

farcm^-sT noo-mbcnT-^ tbcsis roo-matcik zen-b-fbcbT-^

practice of preparing and dispensing drugs inflammation of the lungs sinking down of an organ relating to or characterized by rheumatism morbid fear of strangers

ch

gn oe (see ae) ph pn pt rh x

Sound _

T f n t r z

Silent letter –

“g” – – “p” “p” “h” –

* Pronunciation quoted from: Dirckx, John H., editor, Stedman's Concise Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions, Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 4th Edition, 2001

In case of the slightest doubt, consult a medical dictionary! William Tsang 2009