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'...he had once been Captain Gaskin, having taken orders and a diphthong...'
Daniel Deronda , George Elliot, Page 36.
I know what a diphthong is. But in this context don't understand the meaning. Elliot here is describing Gwendolen's father the rev Gascoigne.
I'm reading a free kindle version of the book so no notes...
Posted : 01/04/2017 9:45 pm
Gaskin to Gascoigne - taking a dipthong to accompany his holy orders...simply talking about the phonetic change in his surname.
Posted : 01/04/2017 9:48 pm
Well said, martinhutch. It's all a bit Derbyfield/d'Urberville.
Posted : 01/04/2017 9:51 pm
Topic starter
That was quick! Thanks, now I get it.
Posted : 01/04/2017 9:54 pm