Syllable reduction occurs in all varieties of English. The word interesting is often pronounced with two syllables rather than three. However, syllable reduction is more extensive in British English than in American English.
Many speakers of British English pronounce medicine with two syllables. In American English, however, it is always pronounced with three syllables. Another example is the word extraordinary. In American English, it has six syllables. In British English, however, it can be pronounced with five syllables, or in casual speech, with only four. To pronounce extraordinary with only four syllables, one must omit the a in extra as well as the a in ordinary.
Other words which are often pronounced with syllable reduction in British English include dictionary, military and secretary. In American English they always have four syllables. However, in British English they are often pronounced with only three.
Though syllable reduction occurs in all varieties of English, it is especially common in British English. The result is that British English has a greater distinction between stressed and unstressed syllables. Syllable reduction is even more common in casual speech.
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