Audio Pronunciations FAQ


How can I hear the pronunciation of the Word of the Day?

Click on the red audio icon Audio icon next to the IPA pronunciation. A pop-up window will open, and in most cases the audio pronunciation will play automatically. Click on the "hear it again" link in the pop-up window to replay the pronunciation. When you are done, close the pop-up window.

If the pronunciation does not play automatically when the pop-up window opens, click on the "Click here to listen with your default audio player" link. This will open your default audio player application and play the pronunciation. Netscape 6 and 7 users will need to click on the link in the pop-up window to hear the pronunciation.

What hardware and software is required?
Your computer must have a properly configured sound card and a set of speakers or headphones. You'll also need a Web browser that is JavaScript enabled and supports playing of WAV sound files.

We also recommend that you have a stand-alone audio player application that supports WAV sound files (e.g. Windows Media Player) installed on your computer in the event that the pronunciation does not play automatically when you click on the audio icon. Most newer operating systems come bundled with an audio player. Your browser should be configured to automatically associate WAV sound files with your audio player. (Netscape 6 and 7 users, please click here.)

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Can I hear pronunciations with JavaScript disabled?
No. The pronunciation pop-up window is a JavaScript window, and the pronunciation will not play unless the pop-up window opens.

Does the audio feature work with Netscape 6 and 7?
Yes, but the audio will not play automatically when you click on the audio icon. Follow these steps to play an audio pronunciation in Netscape 6 and 7:

1. Once the pop-up window opens and loads fully, click on the link: "Click here to listen with your default audio player".

2. Select the "Open using..." option and click the OK button. This opens the default audio player used by Netscape 6 and 7 and plays the audio pronunciation.

The beginning of the audio pronunciation is clipped. What can I do?
Click on the "hear it again" link to replay the pronunciation until it no longer sounds clipped. You may have to replay the pronunciation more than once. If this doesn't help, try clicking on the "Click here to listen with your default audio player" link.

What can I do about the audio skipping?
Click on the "hear it again" link to replay the pronunciation until it no longer skips. You may have to replay the pronunciation more than once. If the pronunciations skip consistently try clicking on the "Click here to listen with your default audio player" link. If they are skipping with your default audio player, you may have to change your default audio player.

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