[Kevin Rainbow]

That's normal for word-endings beginning with u (often Latin endings such as -uous, -ual, -uent, -uit, etc), just as it is with those beginning with "i", often taking a "y" sound.


conduit = cond"wit", cond"you"it, con"do"it
casual = cas"you"al, cas"w"al.
contiguous - contig"you"ous, contig"w"ous

Some may stick to a pronunciation because it is more common in their area, but ultimately it is optional.

In earlier poetry, usually the only way such a word fits the pattern correctly is by going by the shorter consonantal pronunciation, not the longer vocalic one. It makes sense to go for the shorter pronunciation, as you can fit more in your meter if you use up less space with unnecessary syllables.

"And add perpetual tenor to my rhymes"" (Dryden's translation of Metamorphosis)

Perpet"w"al


"With patriot sorrows swelling at his breast,
He sank upon a jaguar's hide to rest."

(William Lisle Bowles' The Missionary)

William Lisle Bowles was British, but is clearly using a two syllable pronunciation of "jaguar" in the above lines.

This is the approach I generally follow, not just in poetry but in everyday speech. Why waste breath pronouncing a word a longer way, when a shorter way is available?

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