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theäs

Dialect
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A regional dialect variation of the word "these"; in poetry, its use grounds the language in a specific locale, adding vernacular color and authenticity to dialogue or description.

Detailed Definition
The form imitates the speech of Hardy’s Dorset speakers and differs markedly from standard modern spelling. In the phrase “theäs oon,” it refers to one of the locally used demonstrative expressions.
Example
Example in poetry:
“And thik oon, and theäs oon, and t’other” uses theäs as a dialect form meaning “this”; “Theäs lane leads down to market” demonstrates its deictic, local speech; “Mind theäs kettle, it’s near boiling” gives it a domestic spoken context; In dialect poetry, theäs can preserve regional sound and a speaker’s social world.
Additional Notes
“Theäs” is a strongly regional spelling that many readers will not recognize in “theäs oon.”; Found in the poem, The Ruined Maid by Thomas Hardy
Also Known As
thee you thou
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