How to pronounce plainsong
Say it like PLAYN-sawng. Plainsong has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PLAYN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce plainsong. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PLAYN
- sawng
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Plainsong pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PLAYNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- sawngGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of plainsong
American and British speakers say plainsong in essentially the same way: /ˈpleɪnˌsɔŋ/ in the US and /ˈpleɪnˌsɒŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: PLAYN-song.
What does plainsong mean?
- A form of monophonic chant in unison using the Gregorian scale, sung in various Christian churches.
- A cantus firmus or theme chosen for contrapuntal treatment; so called because often an actual fragment of plain-song.
- The simple notes of an air, without ornament or variation.
Where does plainsong come from?
From plain + song, calque of Latin cantus planus.
Questions about saying plainsong
How do you pronounce plainsong?
Say PLAYN-sawng. The American pronunciation is /ˈpleɪnˌsɔŋ/. In British English it is /ˈpleɪnˌsɒŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in plainsong?
Plainsong has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PLAYN). Broken into parts: PLAYN · sawng.
Do Americans and Brits say plainsong the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpleɪnˌsɔŋ/ and the British form is /ˈpleɪnˌsɒŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.