The pronunciation of most European languages has been studied on modern phonetic lines, and there is an abundance of reliable literature on the subject. Research into the phonetic structure of American, Asiatic and African languages is pro ceeding, and reference libraries of gramophone records of languages and dialects are being established in many universities.
Pronunciation of the mother tongue is taught in the principal centres of education in the countries of Europe and America. It has already been stated that the traditional pronunciation of Arabic, reputed to have been that used by Mohammed, is still regularly taught throughout the Mohammedan world.
In Europe we find, in the case of French, a traditional stage pronunciation taught at the Conservatoire in Paris, and used in the State Theatres and Opera House. In Germany an attempt has been made to standardize a form of German pronunciation suit able for the theatre throughout German-speaking countries.
No such attempt at standardization has been made in England or America. As far as England is concerned, the pronunciation current upon the stage is that used by the educated people in the south-eastern part of the country.
This pronunciation, with, however, a certain degree of latitude, is taught in England for use on the stage, in public speaking, and in singing. In the universities and public schools of England the
pronunciation is left to look after itself, but there is, however, a strong tradition as to what is and what is not permissible.
In the State schools there appears to be an awakening to the importance of equipping children with a form of pronunciation that will not prove a handicap in social life; and endeavours are being made to provide instruction.
1o. Conclusion.—It is difficult to forecast the future, for we are faced with a new set of conditions. Increased speed of transport has made the world smaller; the complication of mod ern life leads to an international vocabulary; increased travel and increased oral communication familiarize us with hitherto un familiar pronunciations ; the increase of education familiarizes millions with visual language, while wireless broadcasting tends to make the inhabitants of a widely spread linguistic area ac quainted with a selected form of pronunciation. It is possible that these combined forces may tend to prevent linguistic dis integration of the principal languages of the modern world.