Hmm…it might be noun/verb usage: al-TER-nate might be like “alternative” (noun), while AL-ter-NATE might be a verb; the latter pcnuonriation (meaning, eg, red-then-white-then-red) is more commonly used here. Normally I’m a big fan of the Oxford English Dictionary, but I can’t agree with it on the subject of how Americans pronounce the noun and adjective versions of alternate. In my 35 years on Earth, I’ve never once heard anybody pronounce it with stress on the second syllable. AL-ter-NATE (first-syllable stress slightly stronger than third) is indeed how we say the verb, but AL-ter-nate (with the a in the last syllable squashed into a schwa) is the only way I’ve ever heard the noun or adjective spoken. Also, I detect a subtle but important difference between alternate and alternative as nouns in American English: alternate is a concrete noun, whereas alternative is abstract. When two outcomes or courses of action are possible, those are alternatives. When two people or objects might be selected for a particular purpose, those are alternates. The same distinction seems to apply in adjectival usage as well.
Nice work, I’m assuming its your own. Glad to find ahoentr lover of the worlds greatest band: Pink Floyd. You and I sound alike in small ways. I like the site, very professional, unlike mine. But I’m not going for that look yet. Someday. I hope to be as fluent in computer things (all different things) as you are. Stated simply, you rock.
CrazySySy @ MFC.
now she got fake boobs :(