Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

I raised the question of clues relying on pronunciation for their solution a couple of crosswords ago. The clue for 17ac of the 1141 Cryptic Jumbo is, to my mind, another dodgy one:
"Take great pleasure when speaking language" (6).
The answer, " BASQUE" , had me stumped until I got the "U" from the down clue.
As my daughter, who speaks with RP, pointed out, she pronounces "Basque" and "bask" differently. To me, who does not have RP ,they
sound the same. Perhaps the setter, like me, is a northerner....

I pronounce them the same (Lancashire).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9vH8dpSav8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9vH8dpSav8

Setters' use of homophones has to be supported by the pronunciation guide in a dictionary. Chambers supports BASQUE sounding like BASK.

Gwladys, are you a bluenose?

Thank you Mamya, but I wasn't asking for help in pronunciation. I was merely stating that all such clues are dodgy, and good setters avoid them.
Sorry, Bernie, you will have to parse "bluenose" for me.

I knew you weren't asking for help - apologies for the link.

'I was merely stating that all such clues are dodgy, and good setters avoid them. '

Thank you for your expert advice, gwladysstreet.

Manners, rambler!