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Could someone please explain why almost every website says "trickling" has two syllables? Is tri-kel-ing a regional dialect? Is it two syllables when being written?

Sam
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  • That's so strange, I have always said and heard that word with 3 syllables, but can't find a single search result to back that up now. Looking at the descriptions given on some of the "how many syllables" type sites, it seems like they commonly use an algorithm to calculate number-of-syllables for a word. It is possible that this algorithm is getting tripped up by the fact that the middle syllable (of 3) is actually syllabic l**, which is a consonant that stands on its own with no vowel. – Quack E. Duck Dec 14 '23 at 05:43
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    A relevant quote from this site: https://sarahsnippets.com/syllable-division-rules/ : "The first thing to know is that every syllable must have a written vowel" (emphasis added). But, to syllabify "trickling" as [trick l ing] does not follow that rule. – Quack E. Duck Dec 14 '23 at 05:54
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    This dictionary does list the 3-syllable pronunciation as a variant (it transcribes it with an optional shwa sound instead of showing the syllabic "l"): https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trickle – Quack E. Duck Dec 14 '23 at 05:58
  • By the way, this is a great first question! Welcome to EL&U :) – Quack E. Duck Dec 14 '23 at 06:10
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    Where did you see it with 2 syllables? Were any in reliable, edited, sources from reputable publishers? Please provide references. (Don't trust what random strangers on the internet say; it's likely to be an oversimplification if it's not wrong.) – Stuart F Dec 14 '23 at 09:54
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    syncopation is not uncommon. In mid-Atlantic AmE, you hear both pronunciations. You can't rely on spelling. Spelling is no more than an approximate representation, and "eing" would be weird, given the history of spelling reform. – TimR Dec 14 '23 at 12:02
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    @QuackE.Duck Collins doesn't have IPA for trickling, only for trickle, but it does have audio that agrees with your (presumably, accents aside) and my pronunciation – Chris H Dec 14 '23 at 17:01

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The two pronunciations of this word are contained in the following LPD's phonetic notation (Longman Pronunciation Dictionary).

\ˈtrɪk ᵊl‿ɪŋ\

  1. \ˈtrɪk ᵊl ɪŋ\: 3 phonetic syllables — This is the uncompressed pronunciation (for example, when pronouncing the word in isolation).

  2. \ˈtrɪk lɪŋ\: 2 phonetic syllables — This pronunciation is the usual one (compressed).

LPD provides a guide on the use of these two pronunciations.

(LPD, p. 173) Generally the uncompressed version is more usual

  • in rarer words
  • in slow or deliberate speech¹
  • the first time a word is used in a given discourse

The compressed version is more usual

  • in frequently used words¹
  • in fast or casual speech¹
  • if the word has already been used in the discourse

¹user LPH's note: applies in the case of "trickling"

LPH
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