You Say "Thuh", I Say "Thee"...

[stoutfellow]

... but why?

This is an interesting article on the two pronunciations of the word "the" (reduced "thuh" versus unreduced "thee"), and the role each plays in communication.

Comments

Re: thee -- one and only particular

[joyeuse13.livejournal.com]

I wasn't indoctrinated to it, but it seems natural to use it that way, and in fact I always thought it was a rule of sorts. I'm kind of surprised the article didn't mention it.

Re: thee -- one and only particular

[stoutfellow.livejournal.com]

One of the linked articles - this one (http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/%7Emyl/languagelog/archives/002312.html) - does mention that, not as an a priori rule but as an observable pattern. I think the main focus of the article I mentioned first is on preconsonantal "the", though.