Pronouncers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A person who articulates words or phrases clearly for the purpose of correctness or teaching
2. An individual responsible for delivering proper pronunciation in a language or dialect
3. Someone engaged in providing speech guidance and clarity in verbal communication

Etymology: "Pronouncers" is the plural of "pronouncer," which is "pronounce" with the suffix "-er" attached. The noun names a person who speaks sounds or words in a particular way, and the chain behind it runs from Latin "pronuntiare," meaning "to announce or proclaim," through Old French "prononcier" into Middle English as "pronounce." The verb's oldest sense was public declaration rather than pronunciation. Latin "prōnūntiāre" combined "prō-," meaning "forth" or "before," with "nūntiāre," "to report," from "nūntius," a messenger. A Roman who pronounced something was announcing it aloud, and the sense of forming speech sounds came later, when the verb narrowed to the act of voicing words. The English agent suffix "-er" descends from the Old English "-ere," which attached to verbs to name the one who performs the action. Combining "pronounce" with it gives a straightforward label for someone who utters sounds, a role that spelling reformers and dictionary compilers have long been concerned with.

Synonyms: speakers, articulators, orators

Antonyms: listeners, hearers