TEL-uh-teyep
/ˈtɛləˌtaɪp/
teletype is pronounced TEL-uh-teyep (/ˈtɛləˌtaɪp/). Teletype refers to an electromechanical device or system used to send typed messages over a distance, historically via telegraphic or teletypewriter networks. It encompasses devices that print text automatically from telegraphic signals or computer programs, and it can also describe the machines and services used to exchange text-based communications. The term originated in early telecommunication and remains a historic reference in computing contexts.
Teletype refers to an electromechanical device or system used to send typed messages over a distance, historically via telegraphic or teletypewriter networks. It encompasses devices that print text automatically from telegraphic signals or computer programs, and it can also describe the machines and services used to exchange text-based communications. The term originated in early telecommunication and remains a historic reference in computing contexts.
"The newsroom still kept an old teletype machine as a nostalgic centerpiece."
"During the 1960s, journalists relied on teletype to receive breaking news from international bureaus."
"The new software simulates teletype output with a retro printer-style font."
Pronounce as te-LE- type, with primary stress on the second syllable: /ˈtɛlɪˌtaɪp/ (US) or /ˈtɛlɪˌtaɪp/ (UK). Start with /t/ + /ɛ/ (as in ‘tell’), then /lɪ/ in a quick, light syllable, followed by /taɪp/ as in ‘type’. The middle syllable is unstressed in many speakers, but you may feel a mild secondary emphasis. Mouth position: tip of the tongue near the alveolar ridge for /t/, light lip rounding for /ɪ/, and a high front tongue for /aɪ/ in /taɪp/. Audio reference you’ll hear in tech histories demonstrates a crisp, mechanical cadence.”,
Common errors: treating /ˈtɛlɪˌtaɪp/ as /ˈtɛlɪˈteɪp/ by turning the /taɪ/ into /teɪ/; misplacing stress between syllables and producing /ˈtɛlɪˌtaɪp/ with uneven intonation; or running the /t/ directly into /e/ creating /ˈtɛlIRTaɪp/. Correction: keep /t/ at the start, ensure the second syllable carries light stress or is unstressed, and articulate /taɪ/ as a clear diphthong with tongue high fronting for the /aɪ/ sound. Practice with slow, deliberate syllable separation then blend.” ,
In US and UK, teletype is generally /ˈtɛlɪˌtaɪp/ with similar vowel qualities; rhoticity doesn’t change the word itself. Australian speakers tend to reduce the /ɪ/ in the second syllable slightly and may exhibit a more centralized vowel in unstressed syllables. The /taɪp/ portion remains a tight diphthong; non-rhotic accents won’t alter /taɪp/. Overall, the main variation is subtle vowel quality and stress, with tempo and clarity influenced by regional speech patterns. IPA guides remain a reliable reference across accents.
The difficulty comes from the consonant cluster at the start /t/ followed by /ɛ/ in /tɛl/ and the /t/ onset of the final /taɪp/ syllable; the rapid transition between alveolar stops and the rapid diphthong /aɪ/. Additionally, the sequence /lɪ/ with a light, quick /l/ can present a challenge in blending. Focus on clear syllabic separation early on, then gradually conjoin the segments to achieve a smooth /ˈtɛlɪˌtaɪp/.
There are no silent letters in teletype; it is a two-to-three syllable word with primary stress typically on the first syllable and a possible secondary rise on the second, depending on speaking tempo. The spelling aligns with its pronunciation: te-le-type. The challenge lies in coordinating the /t/ onset and the /aɪ/ diphthong in the final syllable rather than silent vowels.”]}],
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- US: rhotic /ɹ/ is not present in teletype; the vowels tend toward clear /ɛ/ in the first syllable. The /taɪp/ is a tight diphthong; keep the /ɪ/ before /l/ short. - UK: similar to US, but may feature slightly more clipped vowels in casual speech; ensure /ˈtɛlɪˌtaɪp/ with crisp /t/ and a precise /aɪ/ glide. - AU: vowels can be a touch more centralized; the /ɪ/ may be reduced slightly toward schwa in rapid speech. Maintain IPA accuracy: /ˈtɛlɪˌtaɪp/. - General: emphasize the first syllable without overextending; the middle /lɪ/ should be light; the final /aɪp/ should be clear and pointed. - Reference IPA: /ˈtɛlɪˌtaɪp/ across accents, with minor vowel quality differences.
Teletype combines the Greek prefix tele- meaning ‘far’ with the English word type, from Greek typos ‘impression, a blow, form’. The tele- element denotes distant transmission, while ‘type’ points to typographic output. The term emerged in the early 20th century as electromechanical telecommunication systems integrated type-printing capabilities. First used in technical literature around the 1900s-1910s, teletype devices evolved from telegraphy—transforming coded signals into human-readable printed text. By the 1920s–1950s, teletypewriters (TTY) became standard equipment in newsrooms and offices, enabling real-time, remote text transmission. Over time, the brandings and specific implementations (e.g., Teletype Corporation) popularized the shorthand “teletype,” eventually, as digital computers supplanted teletypewriters, the term persisted mainly in historical and nostalgic references. The evolution reflects a shift from mechanical-printing teleprinters to electronic and later digital text transmission, with the core concept of far-away text communication maintaining relevance across decades. First known use is documented in early 20th century technical manuals and industry catalogs describing teleprinters capable of typing from distant signals.
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Words that rhyme with "teletype"
-ype sounds
-ipe sounds
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