Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Black Leaf · 02-23-2006, 10:12 PM

Inspired by David Vestal's "What's the Last Word You Misspelled?" thread (inspired by Lamma's "Poor Spelling" thread), what word do you routinely mispronounce or are otherwise unable to say? In other words, what's your equivalent of Bush's "nuclear?"

I can't pronounce "philanthropy." I can pronounce "philanthropic" though, so I just usually rearrange my sentences when it comes up.

Kassiana · 02-23-2006, 10:15 PM

I pronounce all of the words I use correctly. I have no doubt, however, that I would be unable to pronounce Bushman dialect, as I have never been able to make that popping noise they use.

Tenuous · 02-24-2006, 05:22 AM

Solemnly (which made for much hilarity at my wedding

).

Enai · 02-24-2006, 05:26 AM

Elizabeth (in English; in German I have no problem). Thank dog I know no English native speaker of that name.

Enai

Naruto · 02-24-2006, 05:26 AM

When I was little, I couldn't say "binoculars."

Gooch's dad · 02-24-2006, 05:28 AM

Right now I can't prounounce the Mandarin word for "understand". I have no problems with any English words. Except "commitment", that is.

I need to find a good source for Mandarin pin-yin, and figure out whether it is "ming pai" or "nin pai" or something entirely different.

Unbeatable · 02-24-2006, 05:32 AM

I'm fine with English, but I can't do the trilled rr sound in Spanish.

Plognark · 02-24-2006, 05:33 AM

For some reason hyperbole gives me problems.

I always pronounce it hyper-bowl. Probably because I had never heard it spoken aloud, and never looked to closely at the pronunciation key in the dictionary.

VoodooHooligan · 02-24-2006, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gooch's dad

Right now I can't prounounce the Mandarin word for "understand". I have no problems with any English words. Except "commitment", that is.

I need to find a good source for Mandarin pin-yin, and figure out whether it is "ming pai" or "nin pai" or something entirely different.

It's mingbai.

NZSkep · 02-24-2006, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plognark

For some reason hyperbole gives me problems.

I always pronounce it hyper-bowl. Probably because I had never heard it spoken aloud, and never looked to closely at the pronunciation key in the dictionary.

holy shit. I thought that too up until i read your post and then had to go and check for myself

02-23-2006, 10:12 PM	#1
Black Leaf Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: United States Posts: 1,983	What Word Can't You Pronounce? Inspired by David Vestal's "What's the Last Word You Misspelled?" thread (inspired by Lamma's "Poor Spelling" thread), what word do you routinely mispronounce or are otherwise unable to say? In other words, what's your equivalent of Bush's "nuclear?" I can't pronounce "philanthropy." I can pronounce "philanthropic" though, so I just usually rearrange my sentences when it comes up.

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02-23-2006, 10:15 PM	#2
Kassiana Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: USA Posts: 5,046	I pronounce all of the words I use correctly. I have no doubt, however, that I would be unable to pronounce Bushman dialect, as I have never been able to make that popping noise they use.

02-24-2006, 05:22 AM	#3
Tenuous Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 461	Solemnly (which made for much hilarity at my wedding ).

02-24-2006, 05:26 AM	#4
Enai Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Germany Posts: 1,479	Elizabeth (in English; in German I have no problem). Thank dog I know no English native speaker of that name. Enai

02-24-2006, 05:26 AM	#5
Naruto Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NC Posts: 2,059	When I was little, I couldn't say "binoculars."

02-24-2006, 05:28 AM	#6
Gooch's dad Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Madison WI USA Posts: 3,508	Right now I can't prounounce the Mandarin word for "understand". I have no problems with any English words. Except "commitment", that is. I need to find a good source for Mandarin pin-yin, and figure out whether it is "ming pai" or "nin pai" or something entirely different.

02-24-2006, 05:32 AM	#7
Unbeatable Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: United States Posts: 4,303	I'm fine with English, but I can't do the trilled rr sound in Spanish.

02-24-2006, 05:33 AM	#8
Plognark Contributor Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 14,952	For some reason hyperbole gives me problems. I always pronounce it hyper-bowl. Probably because I had never heard it spoken aloud, and never looked to closely at the pronunciation key in the dictionary.

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