Cowbells and Chocolate

Firstly, what in the world is a heteronym? Heter means different or other than usual and onym means word. Well, you’re probably more familiar with the word ‘homonym’ which are words that are spelled the same but have different meanings. An example of a homonym is bark; what a dog does and the skin of a tree. Simply put, like homonyms, heteronyms are words that are spelled the same and have different meanings. The difference is homonyms are pronounced the same and heteronyms are pronounced differently. Easy, right?

Intonation

I can imagine all the linguists out there will be shaking their heads at me putting intonation and heteronyms together. I think intonation fits into a general discussion of heteronyms nicely. It’s like a bridge between the homonyms and heteronyms. Words that are spelled the same and depending on which syllable the emphasis is put, have different meanings. In essence they are pronounced the same but the intonation is different. Once you start looking for these words, you will find lots.

Fun with Intonations

There is sort of a trick here. Almost always, if the stress falls on the first syllable it’s a noun. If it falls on the second syllable it’s a verb.

We will have to address (to talk about) the question of her address (where one lives) when she arrives.

I didn’t object to the object in the window.

The vacationer wanted to desert his tasty dessert in the desert.

There is no time like the present, so present a present to your best friend now.

Taking Intonation to Another Level

This is pretty cool, say this sentence out loud 7 times and emphasis a different word. Voilà, 7 different meanings!

I never said she stole my money.

I never said he beat his wife.

Other Languages

Of course, intonation that changes meanings or heteronyms aren’t only found in English. Although I didn’t find many, I did find some in German.

Umreissen (to tear down) and umreissen (to outline). Umfahren (to drive over something) and umfahren (to drive around something). They are pronounced the same, but the intonation makes the different.

Montage (Mondays) and Montage (from French, but used in German, to install). These are spelled the same but pronounced differently.

Fun with Heteronyms

What could probably be considered as a true heteronym are words that are spelled the same, have different meanings and are pronounced completely differently.

The bandage was wound around the wound.

The dump was so full that the workers had to refuse more refuse.

Our Polish help decided to polish the furniture.

He could lead if he would get the lead out.

A trophy of a bass he caught, fell off the wall while Count Bassie was playing the bass.

When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

The invalid’s parking permit had expired and was invalid, so he was fined.

The door didn’t close because we were too close to it.

We couldn’t wind the sail around the mast because the wind was too strong.

He moped around all day when he realized he didn’t have enough money to buy a moped.

So, think about it for a minute, with minute differences in how you say a word, you can alter the meaning. It may or may not be an emergency if you go to the doctor with a tear in your eye. Please excuse me, I have no real excuse for writing this post but language can be so interesting. It just caught my fancy. I hope it caught yours, too.