Should I use the clue by four?

[pecunium]

In a conversation on the way things are pronounced someone argued that the terminal 'x' in french plurals is silent.

I, from my (at this point ancient) french made the observation:


> It isn't silent in French. It slightly clips the end, when it is the
> terminal word, and it elides into a 'z' sound when it abuts a vowel, a la
> "les bureaux acadamique" (which is probably crappy grammar, but shows the
> function).


Their reply was:

True enough, but on its own, it's silent:)

I am going to leave it lie there (though someone else did note that "silent e" (the genesis of the discussion) is, by my way of thinking, not really silent either.

Comments

[faithhopetricks.livejournal.com]

So, "Yes, it's silent, except when it isn't" (i.e. "You're right, but I'm going to cling to my point")? Hunh.

[pecunium.livejournal.com]

No, it's the other way 'round. I say it isn't silent, in French, she says, "you're right", but I'm going to act like you aren't, and pretend I've refuted you.

They agree it isn't silent, then say it is.

TK

[faithhopetricks.livejournal.com]

Right, you know, that's what I meant only I haven't had any coffee today. -- That's most annoying.