The -ture in nature, creature, forfeiture, etc., is generally pronounced [tʃə][60]; the pronunciation [tjə] or [tjü] sounds affected in ordinary speech. Venture is usually [ventʃə], sometimes [venʃə], [ventjə], or [ventjü]. Censure is always [senʃə].
In allude, *allusion, lute, lucent, luminous, *flute, salute,*absolute, *absolution, dissolute, *dissolution, *superstition, *Susan both [uw] and [juw] may be heard; [uw] is probably more common in the words marked with an asterisk. Precise speakers prefer [juw] in all the words given. In assume, presume [juw] is regularly heard. As a rule [j] is not inserted after [r], [ʃ], [ʒ], or consonant plus [l].
Notice the pronunciation of casual [kæʒuəl] or [kæʒwəl], sensual [senʃuəl], usual [juwʒuəl] or [juwʒəl], visual [vizjuəl]. Educate is [edjukeit] or [edʒukeit]; careful speakers prefer the former.
As the "long u" begins with a consonantal sound it is correct to say a uniform, a university, a union, a European, a eulogy. To write an before such words is a gross mistake.
We find the element changed in unstressed syllables; thus value becomes [væljü], regular becomes [regjülə, regjələ], and, very colloquially, [reglə].
We are now able to give the whole series of vowels from to [ɑ] occurring in standard English:
ü close u (diagram, p. [124])
/
open ᴜ
/
close o (diagram, p. [124])
/
ö middle o
/
open ɔ (diagram, p. [125])
/
dark ɑ
Practise this series, as was suggested in § 42, in connection with the to [ɑ] series.