Let's settle this once and for all, Part Deux

Merriam-Webster says one. I would have said two, but then, I am from Texas. Here's the phonetic pronunciation form M-W:
\ˈsmī(-ə)l\
The second part of the diphthong isn't quite pronounced enough to be its own syllable.
Definition of diphthong: "A gliding monosyllabic speech sound (as the vowel combination at the end of toy) that starts at or near the articulatory position for one vowel and moves to or toward the position of another."
Bottom line: while it's clearly a complex vowel sound with two distinct parts, according to the linguistic definition of syllables, "smile" is a one-syllable word. I admit, I'm slightly surprised.

Also, "clitorii" is ridiculous. The Latin form of the plural is clitores. Anglicized is clitorises. Clitorii? No fucking way. That's neither English nor Latin.

 

And I get that. And I'm not arguing with dooley, though he likes to think I am. I'm not saying the dictionary doesn't say that.

I'm asking how in the world you would actually say it in one syllable?

 

Seems the layman's definition of syllables is a bit off. Linguists must laugh at us in the same way that I laughed at a stringer long ago when I got a baseball story that referred to one team scoring "points."

 

I'll be damned if it doesn't sound like two damn syllables to me.

 

Sa-mile ... two syllables.

 

Third declension nominative plural.

The genitive plural is "clitorebus."

 

Clitorii is 3rd declension nominative plural? Why am I thinking clitores? I've forgotten the declensions. It's been over 20 years.

 

Nah ... more like "smy-uhl" for me.

 

Basic endings in the various declensions

Singular
Case 1 f. 2 m. 2 n. 3 mf 3 n. 4 m. 4 n. 5 f.
Nominative -a -us -um -us -u -es
Genitive -ae -i -i -is -is -us -us -ei
Dative -ae -o -o -i -i -ui -u -ei
Accusative -am -um -um -em -um -u -em
Ablative -a -o -o -e -e, -i -u -u -e
Locative -ae -i -i -i, -e -i, -e -i ? ?
Vocative -a -e -um -us -u -es
Plural
Case 1 f. 2 m. 2 n. 3 mf 3 n. 4 m. 4 n. 5 f.
Nom/Voc -ae -i -a -es -a -us -ua -es
Genitive -arum -orum -orum -um -um -uum -uum -erum
Dat/Abl/Loc -is -is -is -ibus -ibus -ibus, -ubus -ibus -ebus
Accusative -as -os -a -es -a -us -ua -es

From the above, looks like 3rd declension nominative plural is clitores. Vocative, too. "Hey, clitores!!!"

 

Lamest. Poll. (Other-than-those-started-by-ESPN's-HR-dorks.) Ever.

Jumpin' Jehoshaphat, dools. After three years, you'd think you could let this go. It's like you've morphed into He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

;D

 

Clitores is correct; I should've made that clearer. Stay on-topic and have a happy Illegitimis Non Carborundum Day. ;D

 

I voted for two syllables but my wife - a native drawling Southerner of all people - has proven to me it's only one.

1. The dictionary pronunciation - smahyl - doesn't have a sound break in between.

2. When I think of smile, I'm thinking of how I say it when I'm taking a picture: smy-ul. But in normal conversation most of us just say it in one syllable.

3. Look at similar words. Would you say while is two syllables? I wouldn't. Awhile? Sure. Wheel? No.

I hate to say I was wrong, but I was wrong. One syllable.