Since English is the evolved product of the assimilation of many languages, it is impossible to provide prescriptive and immutable rules for its spellings.

For instance, here I show “ch” demonstrating three sound values: ch (like tj) – chin/chop, k – chasm/chaos, sh – champagne.

I require:
1. The identification of a letter cluster group which can represent 7 different sounds (5 are pure vowel sounds).
2. At least one word to demonstrate the use of each of these sounds. [If a given word may not be in my solution, I will accept a rhyming word that uses the letter cluster].

Note: That my spelling orientation is generally based upon Oxford English, this challenge should present more effort for a phonetic speller than one who uses American spellings.

[This was presented to me in my primary school years, many years ago, as a demonstration that while native English users may have difficulty, how much harder for those using it as a second language. I have also been careful that the cluster is not in the body of this text]

(In reply to More than 7 (okay only 7) by Bob Smith)

add also Laugh (aff) and Stephen (v), at least most American pronounce it Steven

Posted by David on 2005-08-26 14:19:08