Why does tion say shun?

The pronunciation of "tion" as "sh" in English is a result of the way the combination of letters functions in certain contexts. The "tion" ending is pronounced as "shun." Here's why:

  • Historical Evolution: The pronunciation of "tion" as "shun" has historical roots. The "tion" combination is derived from Latin words that ended in "-tio" or "-tium." When these words were adopted into English, the pronunciation evolved, and the "-tion" ending retained the "shun" sound.

  • Phonetic Evolution: The sound change from "ti" to "sh" is a result of the phonetic evolution of the English language. The combination "ti" is pronounced as "sh" in many words to maintain a smoother flow of speech.

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When does c say s or ch in English?