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What is the English pronunciation of “pain au chocolat”?
The Next CEO of Stack OverflowPronunciation of GUI in British EnglishAmericans stereotype Canadian pronunciation of “about”?How did the pronunciation of the word “derby” evolve?Pronunciation of “twenty” in US EnglishThe pronunciation of ending “s”Pronunciation of luxury'Controversy' PronunciationWhat is the English pronunciation of “nougat”?Pronunciation of Middle EnglishAmerican pronunciation of Versailles
How do Brits and Americans pronounce pain au chocolat?
pronunciation french foreign-phrases
edited Mar 21 at 14:29
L. F.
1054
asked Mar 21 at 4:09
arisaris
15714
add a comment |
How do Brits and Americans pronounce pain au chocolat?
pronunciation french foreign-phrases
edited Mar 21 at 14:29
L. F.
1054
asked Mar 21 at 4:09
arisaris
15714
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– tchrist♦
Mar 27 at 10:49
add a comment |
How do Brits and Americans pronounce pain au chocolat?
pronunciation french foreign-phrases
edited Mar 21 at 14:29
L. F.
1054
asked Mar 21 at 4:09
arisaris
15714
How do Brits and Americans pronounce pain au chocolat?
pronunciation french foreign-phrases
pronunciation french foreign-phrases
edited Mar 21 at 14:29
L. F.
1054
asked Mar 21 at 4:09
arisaris
15714
edited Mar 21 at 14:29
L. F.
1054
asked Mar 21 at 4:09
arisaris
15714
edited Mar 21 at 14:29
L. F.
1054
edited Mar 21 at 14:29
L. F.
1054
edited Mar 21 at 14:29
L. F.
1054
1054
asked Mar 21 at 4:09
arisaris
15714
asked Mar 21 at 4:09
arisaris
15714
asked Mar 21 at 4:09
arisaris
15714
15714
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– tchrist♦
Mar 27 at 10:49
add a comment |
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– tchrist♦
Mar 27 at 10:49
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– tchrist♦
Mar 27 at 10:49
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– tchrist♦
Mar 27 at 10:49
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
In the UK it depends on the speaker but I would say the most common way is "pan oh sho-coh-la", with the stress on the "la".
With foreign words I use the nearest English sound. I don't try to make foreign sounds when speaking English - I think it's pretentious.
In coffee shops, you sometimes hear pain au chocolat or pain aux raisins pronounced as if the last word is the corresponding English one - especially in one chain which spells the second one "pain au raisin". I think what's happening there is that the staff are mistaking it for the original English word, rather than recognising it as part of the borrowed name of the pastry. They will confirm your order by saying "a panno chocolate".
edited Mar 21 at 20:35
wjandrea
1258
answered Mar 21 at 5:02
MintyMinty
3716
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– tchrist♦
Mar 27 at 10:48
add a comment |
In Britain, I think it's normal to use (at least an approximation of) the French pronunciation.
To address your point about why many more people anglicise "croissant", I think there's a distinction between words adopted from other languages, which often get anglicised, and phrases, which tend not to. Since none of the words in "pain au chocolat" has passed into English individually, it's still a French phrase.
answered Mar 21 at 8:51
Especially LimeEspecially Lime
88947
I think the "Au Bon Pain" chain of restaurants in the US is well known enough that people will generally pronounce those words semi-correctly. (May vary by region) "Chocolat" was a recent movie that won a bunch of awards, so that might also be well known enough.
– Darrel Hoffman
Mar 21 at 13:55
7
We can't pronounce croissant the way the French do. The /kʁw/ at the beginning and the nasal /ɑ̃/ at the end aren't things that occur in English, whereas /pænoʊːʃɔːkəˈlɑː/ is pretty good approximation of the French.
– Peter Shor
Mar 21 at 15:42
add a comment |
French speaker here, living on the US East coast. It varies: they usually try to say it the French way, which is close to "pen" or "pan". I heard once "pain" as in "painful" and it was hilarious.
It should be something like "pen/pan oh shockohlah". Americans like to emphasize the "shock" instead of the "lah".
Americans don't seem to mind or be offended if you try to pronounce it the French way.
edited Mar 21 at 22:08
psmears
13.1k14659
answered Mar 21 at 14:02
NicolasNicolas
1013
2
So the "au" should be pronounced as in "Oh, what a suprise" and not as in "Aw, what a cute puppy."? If so, I've been doing it wrong for years.
– cobaltduck
Mar 21 at 15:28
I have to hear you saying "aw" to know. To be sure you can say "au" like you would say "eau" (water) in french, if that makes it easier.
– Nicolas
Mar 21 at 17:00
Aw as in with paw, saw, maw (mouth), straw, etc. In other words, yes, I have been saying it wrong.
– cobaltduck
Mar 21 at 17:06
1
Haha yeah that kind of "aw" is not great, there is too much emphasize on the "w" which might sound funny in french. The french "o", like the "on" is very difficult for english people. Train with "eau" or saying "oh" (ilke "oh really") with almost no emphasis on the "h" letter. The closest sound I know on an english word is the "o" from "cold".
– Nicolas
Mar 21 at 17:35
3
@Szabolcs That “some reason” is that neither /e/ nor /o/ exists as a monophthong in English. Most people have more trouble pronouncing sounds that don’t exist in their own language.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
Mar 21 at 23:11
|
show 7 more comments
As an American expat in the U.K., my experience has been pretty well in line with the other answers here. One interesting addition I might make is that Americans as often as not just won’t try to pronounce French words. Foreign language words that cannot be replaced easily become an Americanized replacement.
If you do encounter an American who makes the effort to properly pronounce this (or any other foreign language word), another American will hear it as either
- incredibly pretentious (if pronounced correctly) or
- comically wrong (if pronounced wrongly)
For my part it took me some time to acclimate to ordering a “pain au chocolat” after I moved to London. I only ever ordered a “chocolate chip pastry” as a child, even when I was visiting Versailles, PA (pronounced Ver-sales) or Des Plaines, IL (pronounced dess planes).
answered Mar 22 at 9:27
Peter VandivierPeter Vandivier
1627
2
It's the same in every language though. If you want to say "computer" in Japanese you don't suddenly switch to the English pronunciation. In fact I think you are obligated to use the Japanese pronunciation. In my experience in all languages, foreign words are pronounced with sounds and accents approximating the language in which you are speaking, unless the intention specifically is to highlight the foreignness of the word or concept.
– aris
Mar 22 at 16:50
@aris Yes, people in general tend not to use sounds that don't exist in their native language. That tendency is certainly not unique to native speakers of English.
– reirab
Mar 22 at 21:49
add a comment |
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
In the UK it depends on the speaker but I would say the most common way is "pan oh sho-coh-la", with the stress on the "la".
With foreign words I use the nearest English sound. I don't try to make foreign sounds when speaking English - I think it's pretentious.
In coffee shops, you sometimes hear pain au chocolat or pain aux raisins pronounced as if the last word is the corresponding English one - especially in one chain which spells the second one "pain au raisin". I think what's happening there is that the staff are mistaking it for the original English word, rather than recognising it as part of the borrowed name of the pastry. They will confirm your order by saying "a panno chocolate".
edited Mar 21 at 20:35
wjandrea
1258
answered Mar 21 at 5:02
MintyMinty
3716
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– tchrist♦
Mar 27 at 10:48
add a comment |
In the UK it depends on the speaker but I would say the most common way is "pan oh sho-coh-la", with the stress on the "la".
With foreign words I use the nearest English sound. I don't try to make foreign sounds when speaking English - I think it's pretentious.
In coffee shops, you sometimes hear pain au chocolat or pain aux raisins pronounced as if the last word is the corresponding English one - especially in one chain which spells the second one "pain au raisin". I think what's happening there is that the staff are mistaking it for the original English word, rather than recognising it as part of the borrowed name of the pastry. They will confirm your order by saying "a panno chocolate".
edited Mar 21 at 20:35
wjandrea
1258
answered Mar 21 at 5:02
MintyMinty
3716
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– tchrist♦
Mar 27 at 10:48
add a comment |
In the UK it depends on the speaker but I would say the most common way is "pan oh sho-coh-la", with the stress on the "la".
With foreign words I use the nearest English sound. I don't try to make foreign sounds when speaking English - I think it's pretentious.
In coffee shops, you sometimes hear pain au chocolat or pain aux raisins pronounced as if the last word is the corresponding English one - especially in one chain which spells the second one "pain au raisin". I think what's happening there is that the staff are mistaking it for the original English word, rather than recognising it as part of the borrowed name of the pastry. They will confirm your order by saying "a panno chocolate".
edited Mar 21 at 20:35
wjandrea
1258
answered Mar 21 at 5:02
MintyMinty
3716
In the UK it depends on the speaker but I would say the most common way is "pan oh sho-coh-la", with the stress on the "la".
With foreign words I use the nearest English sound. I don't try to make foreign sounds when speaking English - I think it's pretentious.
In coffee shops, you sometimes hear pain au chocolat or pain aux raisins pronounced as if the last word is the corresponding English one - especially in one chain which spells the second one "pain au raisin". I think what's happening there is that the staff are mistaking it for the original English word, rather than recognising it as part of the borrowed name of the pastry. They will confirm your order by saying "a panno chocolate".
edited Mar 21 at 20:35
wjandrea
1258
answered Mar 21 at 5:02
MintyMinty
3716
edited Mar 21 at 20:35
wjandrea
1258
edited Mar 21 at 20:35
wjandrea
1258
edited Mar 21 at 20:35
wjandrea
1258
1258
answered Mar 21 at 5:02
MintyMinty
3716
answered Mar 21 at 5:02
MintyMinty
3716
answered Mar 21 at 5:02
MintyMinty
3716
3716
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– tchrist♦
Mar 27 at 10:48
add a comment |
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– tchrist♦
Mar 27 at 10:48
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– tchrist♦
Mar 27 at 10:48
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– tchrist♦
Mar 27 at 10:48
add a comment |
In Britain, I think it's normal to use (at least an approximation of) the French pronunciation.
To address your point about why many more people anglicise "croissant", I think there's a distinction between words adopted from other languages, which often get anglicised, and phrases, which tend not to. Since none of the words in "pain au chocolat" has passed into English individually, it's still a French phrase.
answered Mar 21 at 8:51
Especially LimeEspecially Lime
88947
I think the "Au Bon Pain" chain of restaurants in the US is well known enough that people will generally pronounce those words semi-correctly. (May vary by region) "Chocolat" was a recent movie that won a bunch of awards, so that might also be well known enough.
– Darrel Hoffman
Mar 21 at 13:55
7
We can't pronounce croissant the way the French do. The /kʁw/ at the beginning and the nasal /ɑ̃/ at the end aren't things that occur in English, whereas /pænoʊːʃɔːkəˈlɑː/ is pretty good approximation of the French.
– Peter Shor
Mar 21 at 15:42
add a comment |
In Britain, I think it's normal to use (at least an approximation of) the French pronunciation.
To address your point about why many more people anglicise "croissant", I think there's a distinction between words adopted from other languages, which often get anglicised, and phrases, which tend not to. Since none of the words in "pain au chocolat" has passed into English individually, it's still a French phrase.
answered Mar 21 at 8:51
Especially LimeEspecially Lime
88947
I think the "Au Bon Pain" chain of restaurants in the US is well known enough that people will generally pronounce those words semi-correctly. (May vary by region) "Chocolat" was a recent movie that won a bunch of awards, so that might also be well known enough.
– Darrel Hoffman
Mar 21 at 13:55
7
We can't pronounce croissant the way the French do. The /kʁw/ at the beginning and the nasal /ɑ̃/ at the end aren't things that occur in English, whereas /pænoʊːʃɔːkəˈlɑː/ is pretty good approximation of the French.
– Peter Shor
Mar 21 at 15:42
add a comment |
In Britain, I think it's normal to use (at least an approximation of) the French pronunciation.
To address your point about why many more people anglicise "croissant", I think there's a distinction between words adopted from other languages, which often get anglicised, and phrases, which tend not to. Since none of the words in "pain au chocolat" has passed into English individually, it's still a French phrase.
answered Mar 21 at 8:51
Especially LimeEspecially Lime
88947
In Britain, I think it's normal to use (at least an approximation of) the French pronunciation.
To address your point about why many more people anglicise "croissant", I think there's a distinction between words adopted from other languages, which often get anglicised, and phrases, which tend not to. Since none of the words in "pain au chocolat" has passed into English individually, it's still a French phrase.
answered Mar 21 at 8:51
Especially LimeEspecially Lime
88947
answered Mar 21 at 8:51
Especially LimeEspecially Lime
88947
answered Mar 21 at 8:51
Especially LimeEspecially Lime
88947
answered Mar 21 at 8:51
Especially LimeEspecially Lime
88947
88947
I think the "Au Bon Pain" chain of restaurants in the US is well known enough that people will generally pronounce those words semi-correctly. (May vary by region) "Chocolat" was a recent movie that won a bunch of awards, so that might also be well known enough.
– Darrel Hoffman
Mar 21 at 13:55
7
We can't pronounce croissant the way the French do. The /kʁw/ at the beginning and the nasal /ɑ̃/ at the end aren't things that occur in English, whereas /pænoʊːʃɔːkəˈlɑː/ is pretty good approximation of the French.
– Peter Shor
Mar 21 at 15:42
add a comment |
I think the "Au Bon Pain" chain of restaurants in the US is well known enough that people will generally pronounce those words semi-correctly. (May vary by region) "Chocolat" was a recent movie that won a bunch of awards, so that might also be well known enough.
– Darrel Hoffman
Mar 21 at 13:55
7
We can't pronounce croissant the way the French do. The /kʁw/ at the beginning and the nasal /ɑ̃/ at the end aren't things that occur in English, whereas /pænoʊːʃɔːkəˈlɑː/ is pretty good approximation of the French.
– Peter Shor
Mar 21 at 15:42
I think the "Au Bon Pain" chain of restaurants in the US is well known enough that people will generally pronounce those words semi-correctly. (May vary by region) "Chocolat" was a recent movie that won a bunch of awards, so that might also be well known enough.
– Darrel Hoffman
Mar 21 at 13:55
I think the "Au Bon Pain" chain of restaurants in the US is well known enough that people will generally pronounce those words semi-correctly. (May vary by region) "Chocolat" was a recent movie that won a bunch of awards, so that might also be well known enough.
– Darrel Hoffman
Mar 21 at 13:55
7
7
We can't pronounce croissant the way the French do. The /kʁw/ at the beginning and the nasal /ɑ̃/ at the end aren't things that occur in English, whereas /pænoʊːʃɔːkəˈlɑː/ is pretty good approximation of the French.
– Peter Shor
Mar 21 at 15:42
We can't pronounce croissant the way the French do. The /kʁw/ at the beginning and the nasal /ɑ̃/ at the end aren't things that occur in English, whereas /pænoʊːʃɔːkəˈlɑː/ is pretty good approximation of the French.
– Peter Shor
Mar 21 at 15:42
add a comment |
French speaker here, living on the US East coast. It varies: they usually try to say it the French way, which is close to "pen" or "pan". I heard once "pain" as in "painful" and it was hilarious.
It should be something like "pen/pan oh shockohlah". Americans like to emphasize the "shock" instead of the "lah".
Americans don't seem to mind or be offended if you try to pronounce it the French way.
edited Mar 21 at 22:08
psmears
13.1k14659
answered Mar 21 at 14:02
NicolasNicolas
1013
2
So the "au" should be pronounced as in "Oh, what a suprise" and not as in "Aw, what a cute puppy."? If so, I've been doing it wrong for years.
– cobaltduck
Mar 21 at 15:28
I have to hear you saying "aw" to know. To be sure you can say "au" like you would say "eau" (water) in french, if that makes it easier.
– Nicolas
Mar 21 at 17:00
Aw as in with paw, saw, maw (mouth), straw, etc. In other words, yes, I have been saying it wrong.
– cobaltduck
Mar 21 at 17:06
1
Haha yeah that kind of "aw" is not great, there is too much emphasize on the "w" which might sound funny in french. The french "o", like the "on" is very difficult for english people. Train with "eau" or saying "oh" (ilke "oh really") with almost no emphasis on the "h" letter. The closest sound I know on an english word is the "o" from "cold".
– Nicolas
Mar 21 at 17:35
3
@Szabolcs That “some reason” is that neither /e/ nor /o/ exists as a monophthong in English. Most people have more trouble pronouncing sounds that don’t exist in their own language.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
Mar 21 at 23:11
|
show 7 more comments
French speaker here, living on the US East coast. It varies: they usually try to say it the French way, which is close to "pen" or "pan". I heard once "pain" as in "painful" and it was hilarious.
It should be something like "pen/pan oh shockohlah". Americans like to emphasize the "shock" instead of the "lah".
Americans don't seem to mind or be offended if you try to pronounce it the French way.
edited Mar 21 at 22:08
psmears
13.1k14659
answered Mar 21 at 14:02
NicolasNicolas
1013
2
So the "au" should be pronounced as in "Oh, what a suprise" and not as in "Aw, what a cute puppy."? If so, I've been doing it wrong for years.
– cobaltduck
Mar 21 at 15:28
I have to hear you saying "aw" to know. To be sure you can say "au" like you would say "eau" (water) in french, if that makes it easier.
– Nicolas
Mar 21 at 17:00
Aw as in with paw, saw, maw (mouth), straw, etc. In other words, yes, I have been saying it wrong.
– cobaltduck
Mar 21 at 17:06
1
Haha yeah that kind of "aw" is not great, there is too much emphasize on the "w" which might sound funny in french. The french "o", like the "on" is very difficult for english people. Train with "eau" or saying "oh" (ilke "oh really") with almost no emphasis on the "h" letter. The closest sound I know on an english word is the "o" from "cold".
– Nicolas
Mar 21 at 17:35
3
@Szabolcs That “some reason” is that neither /e/ nor /o/ exists as a monophthong in English. Most people have more trouble pronouncing sounds that don’t exist in their own language.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
Mar 21 at 23:11
|
show 7 more comments
French speaker here, living on the US East coast. It varies: they usually try to say it the French way, which is close to "pen" or "pan". I heard once "pain" as in "painful" and it was hilarious.
It should be something like "pen/pan oh shockohlah". Americans like to emphasize the "shock" instead of the "lah".
Americans don't seem to mind or be offended if you try to pronounce it the French way.
edited Mar 21 at 22:08
psmears
13.1k14659
answered Mar 21 at 14:02
NicolasNicolas
1013
French speaker here, living on the US East coast. It varies: they usually try to say it the French way, which is close to "pen" or "pan". I heard once "pain" as in "painful" and it was hilarious.
It should be something like "pen/pan oh shockohlah". Americans like to emphasize the "shock" instead of the "lah".
Americans don't seem to mind or be offended if you try to pronounce it the French way.
edited Mar 21 at 22:08
psmears
13.1k14659
answered Mar 21 at 14:02
NicolasNicolas
1013
edited Mar 21 at 22:08
psmears
13.1k14659
edited Mar 21 at 22:08
psmears
13.1k14659
edited Mar 21 at 22:08
psmears
13.1k14659
13.1k14659
answered Mar 21 at 14:02
NicolasNicolas
1013
answered Mar 21 at 14:02
NicolasNicolas
1013
answered Mar 21 at 14:02
NicolasNicolas
1013
1013
2
So the "au" should be pronounced as in "Oh, what a suprise" and not as in "Aw, what a cute puppy."? If so, I've been doing it wrong for years.
– cobaltduck
Mar 21 at 15:28
I have to hear you saying "aw" to know. To be sure you can say "au" like you would say "eau" (water) in french, if that makes it easier.
– Nicolas
Mar 21 at 17:00
Aw as in with paw, saw, maw (mouth), straw, etc. In other words, yes, I have been saying it wrong.
– cobaltduck
Mar 21 at 17:06
1
Haha yeah that kind of "aw" is not great, there is too much emphasize on the "w" which might sound funny in french. The french "o", like the "on" is very difficult for english people. Train with "eau" or saying "oh" (ilke "oh really") with almost no emphasis on the "h" letter. The closest sound I know on an english word is the "o" from "cold".
– Nicolas
Mar 21 at 17:35
3
@Szabolcs That “some reason” is that neither /e/ nor /o/ exists as a monophthong in English. Most people have more trouble pronouncing sounds that don’t exist in their own language.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
Mar 21 at 23:11
|
show 7 more comments
2
So the "au" should be pronounced as in "Oh, what a suprise" and not as in "Aw, what a cute puppy."? If so, I've been doing it wrong for years.
– cobaltduck
Mar 21 at 15:28
I have to hear you saying "aw" to know. To be sure you can say "au" like you would say "eau" (water) in french, if that makes it easier.
– Nicolas
Mar 21 at 17:00
Aw as in with paw, saw, maw (mouth), straw, etc. In other words, yes, I have been saying it wrong.
– cobaltduck
Mar 21 at 17:06
1
Haha yeah that kind of "aw" is not great, there is too much emphasize on the "w" which might sound funny in french. The french "o", like the "on" is very difficult for english people. Train with "eau" or saying "oh" (ilke "oh really") with almost no emphasis on the "h" letter. The closest sound I know on an english word is the "o" from "cold".
– Nicolas
Mar 21 at 17:35
3
@Szabolcs That “some reason” is that neither /e/ nor /o/ exists as a monophthong in English. Most people have more trouble pronouncing sounds that don’t exist in their own language.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
Mar 21 at 23:11
2
2
So the "au" should be pronounced as in "Oh, what a suprise" and not as in "Aw, what a cute puppy."? If so, I've been doing it wrong for years.
– cobaltduck
Mar 21 at 15:28
So the "au" should be pronounced as in "Oh, what a suprise" and not as in "Aw, what a cute puppy."? If so, I've been doing it wrong for years.
– cobaltduck
Mar 21 at 15:28
I have to hear you saying "aw" to know. To be sure you can say "au" like you would say "eau" (water) in french, if that makes it easier.
– Nicolas
Mar 21 at 17:00
I have to hear you saying "aw" to know. To be sure you can say "au" like you would say "eau" (water) in french, if that makes it easier.
– Nicolas
Mar 21 at 17:00
Aw as in with paw, saw, maw (mouth), straw, etc. In other words, yes, I have been saying it wrong.
– cobaltduck
Mar 21 at 17:06
Aw as in with paw, saw, maw (mouth), straw, etc. In other words, yes, I have been saying it wrong.
– cobaltduck
Mar 21 at 17:06
1
1
Haha yeah that kind of "aw" is not great, there is too much emphasize on the "w" which might sound funny in french. The french "o", like the "on" is very difficult for english people. Train with "eau" or saying "oh" (ilke "oh really") with almost no emphasis on the "h" letter. The closest sound I know on an english word is the "o" from "cold".
– Nicolas
Mar 21 at 17:35
Haha yeah that kind of "aw" is not great, there is too much emphasize on the "w" which might sound funny in french. The french "o", like the "on" is very difficult for english people. Train with "eau" or saying "oh" (ilke "oh really") with almost no emphasis on the "h" letter. The closest sound I know on an english word is the "o" from "cold".
– Nicolas
Mar 21 at 17:35
3
3
@Szabolcs That “some reason” is that neither /e/ nor /o/ exists as a monophthong in English. Most people have more trouble pronouncing sounds that don’t exist in their own language.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
Mar 21 at 23:11
@Szabolcs That “some reason” is that neither /e/ nor /o/ exists as a monophthong in English. Most people have more trouble pronouncing sounds that don’t exist in their own language.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
Mar 21 at 23:11
|
show 7 more comments
As an American expat in the U.K., my experience has been pretty well in line with the other answers here. One interesting addition I might make is that Americans as often as not just won’t try to pronounce French words. Foreign language words that cannot be replaced easily become an Americanized replacement.
If you do encounter an American who makes the effort to properly pronounce this (or any other foreign language word), another American will hear it as either
- incredibly pretentious (if pronounced correctly) or
- comically wrong (if pronounced wrongly)
For my part it took me some time to acclimate to ordering a “pain au chocolat” after I moved to London. I only ever ordered a “chocolate chip pastry” as a child, even when I was visiting Versailles, PA (pronounced Ver-sales) or Des Plaines, IL (pronounced dess planes).
answered Mar 22 at 9:27
Peter VandivierPeter Vandivier
1627
2
It's the same in every language though. If you want to say "computer" in Japanese you don't suddenly switch to the English pronunciation. In fact I think you are obligated to use the Japanese pronunciation. In my experience in all languages, foreign words are pronounced with sounds and accents approximating the language in which you are speaking, unless the intention specifically is to highlight the foreignness of the word or concept.
– aris
Mar 22 at 16:50
@aris Yes, people in general tend not to use sounds that don't exist in their native language. That tendency is certainly not unique to native speakers of English.
– reirab
Mar 22 at 21:49
add a comment |
As an American expat in the U.K., my experience has been pretty well in line with the other answers here. One interesting addition I might make is that Americans as often as not just won’t try to pronounce French words. Foreign language words that cannot be replaced easily become an Americanized replacement.
If you do encounter an American who makes the effort to properly pronounce this (or any other foreign language word), another American will hear it as either
- incredibly pretentious (if pronounced correctly) or
- comically wrong (if pronounced wrongly)
For my part it took me some time to acclimate to ordering a “pain au chocolat” after I moved to London. I only ever ordered a “chocolate chip pastry” as a child, even when I was visiting Versailles, PA (pronounced Ver-sales) or Des Plaines, IL (pronounced dess planes).
answered Mar 22 at 9:27
Peter VandivierPeter Vandivier
1627
2
It's the same in every language though. If you want to say "computer" in Japanese you don't suddenly switch to the English pronunciation. In fact I think you are obligated to use the Japanese pronunciation. In my experience in all languages, foreign words are pronounced with sounds and accents approximating the language in which you are speaking, unless the intention specifically is to highlight the foreignness of the word or concept.
– aris
Mar 22 at 16:50
@aris Yes, people in general tend not to use sounds that don't exist in their native language. That tendency is certainly not unique to native speakers of English.
– reirab
Mar 22 at 21:49
add a comment |
As an American expat in the U.K., my experience has been pretty well in line with the other answers here. One interesting addition I might make is that Americans as often as not just won’t try to pronounce French words. Foreign language words that cannot be replaced easily become an Americanized replacement.
If you do encounter an American who makes the effort to properly pronounce this (or any other foreign language word), another American will hear it as either
- incredibly pretentious (if pronounced correctly) or
- comically wrong (if pronounced wrongly)
For my part it took me some time to acclimate to ordering a “pain au chocolat” after I moved to London. I only ever ordered a “chocolate chip pastry” as a child, even when I was visiting Versailles, PA (pronounced Ver-sales) or Des Plaines, IL (pronounced dess planes).
answered Mar 22 at 9:27
Peter VandivierPeter Vandivier
1627
As an American expat in the U.K., my experience has been pretty well in line with the other answers here. One interesting addition I might make is that Americans as often as not just won’t try to pronounce French words. Foreign language words that cannot be replaced easily become an Americanized replacement.
If you do encounter an American who makes the effort to properly pronounce this (or any other foreign language word), another American will hear it as either
- incredibly pretentious (if pronounced correctly) or
- comically wrong (if pronounced wrongly)
For my part it took me some time to acclimate to ordering a “pain au chocolat” after I moved to London. I only ever ordered a “chocolate chip pastry” as a child, even when I was visiting Versailles, PA (pronounced Ver-sales) or Des Plaines, IL (pronounced dess planes).
answered Mar 22 at 9:27
Peter VandivierPeter Vandivier
1627
edited Mar 22 at 9:32
answered Mar 22 at 9:27
Peter VandivierPeter Vandivier
1627
answered Mar 22 at 9:27
Peter VandivierPeter Vandivier
1627
answered Mar 22 at 9:27
Peter VandivierPeter Vandivier
1627
1627
2
It's the same in every language though. If you want to say "computer" in Japanese you don't suddenly switch to the English pronunciation. In fact I think you are obligated to use the Japanese pronunciation. In my experience in all languages, foreign words are pronounced with sounds and accents approximating the language in which you are speaking, unless the intention specifically is to highlight the foreignness of the word or concept.
– aris
Mar 22 at 16:50
@aris Yes, people in general tend not to use sounds that don't exist in their native language. That tendency is certainly not unique to native speakers of English.
– reirab
Mar 22 at 21:49
add a comment |
2
It's the same in every language though. If you want to say "computer" in Japanese you don't suddenly switch to the English pronunciation. In fact I think you are obligated to use the Japanese pronunciation. In my experience in all languages, foreign words are pronounced with sounds and accents approximating the language in which you are speaking, unless the intention specifically is to highlight the foreignness of the word or concept.
– aris
Mar 22 at 16:50
@aris Yes, people in general tend not to use sounds that don't exist in their native language. That tendency is certainly not unique to native speakers of English.
– reirab
Mar 22 at 21:49
2
2
It's the same in every language though. If you want to say "computer" in Japanese you don't suddenly switch to the English pronunciation. In fact I think you are obligated to use the Japanese pronunciation. In my experience in all languages, foreign words are pronounced with sounds and accents approximating the language in which you are speaking, unless the intention specifically is to highlight the foreignness of the word or concept.
– aris
Mar 22 at 16:50
It's the same in every language though. If you want to say "computer" in Japanese you don't suddenly switch to the English pronunciation. In fact I think you are obligated to use the Japanese pronunciation. In my experience in all languages, foreign words are pronounced with sounds and accents approximating the language in which you are speaking, unless the intention specifically is to highlight the foreignness of the word or concept.
– aris
Mar 22 at 16:50
@aris Yes, people in general tend not to use sounds that don't exist in their native language. That tendency is certainly not unique to native speakers of English.
– reirab
Mar 22 at 21:49
@aris Yes, people in general tend not to use sounds that don't exist in their native language. That tendency is certainly not unique to native speakers of English.
– reirab
Mar 22 at 21:49
add a comment |
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