concierge=kon-see-erzh. Why say kon-see-air?

[Threehearts]

After staying in many different hotels using the concierge service, can anyone tell me why the WDW CMs pronounce the word concierge, kon-see-air? I was taught that the correct pronounciation was kon-see-erzh. Who knows the definitive answer? Really, I'm just curious, not looking to start an unpleasant debate. Have a good one! Threehearts

 

[PCFriar80]

Here's what I have to offer:
con·cierge (kôN-syârzh') pronunciation
n.

1. A staff member of a hotel or apartment complex who assists guests or residents, as by handling the storage of luggage, taking and delivering messages, and making reservations for tours.

 

[msteddom]

I agree with you on the pronunciation Threehearts, and it bugs me to hear it pronounced the other way. Disney World CMs aren't the only ones who make that mistake. It shouldn't, I know, but it does. Now if I could ever afford to stay concierge maybe the pronunciation of the word would bother me a little less.


Melissa

 

[ksoehrlein]

I was going to pipe up and say that I had been taught to pronounce it "kon-see-air" but then realized that since I had NO experience with it in my childhood or college years, I must have first heard it pronounced when I was a WDW CM. So I'm no help there. Maybe it's to make the word sound more French?

The mispronunciation doesn't extend to the rest of the Disney Company, however. Remember in Lilo and Stitch where Nani is looking for a job? She says, not-so-convincingly, "Con-see-er-zhe-ry is my life." Knowing how I often stumble over the word, her delivery of the line just cracks me up!

 

[declansdad]

I was going to pipe up and say that I had been taught to pronounce it "kon-see-air" but then realized that since I had NO experience with it in my childhood or college years, I must have first heard it pronounced when I was a WDW CM. So I'm no help there. Maybe it's to make the word sound more French?

The mispronunciation doesn't extend to the rest of the Disney Company, however. Remember in Lilo and Stitch where Nani is looking for a job? She says, not-so-convincingly, "Con-see-er-zhe-ry is my life." Knowing how I often stumble over the word, her delivery of the line just cracks me up!

Actually "kon-see-air" is anglicized. "Kon-see-erzh" if pronounced properly, would be French.

 

[Robinrs]

This bugs me, also, like people who say "ayg-ner" instead of "ahn-YAY" when pronouncing Aigner's name... ugh...

I was a concierge (with an URGE) for a year and never heard anyone pronounce it with the AIR. Strange.

 

[Dan Murphy]

May be regional linguistic variations. I know some folks say I talk like I am from Chicago.

 

[Laura]

Just people who don't understand French that well. Like those who name their daughters Renée but spell it Reneé or Renee'.

 

[MyGoofy26]

Bugs me too, but I never vocalize it. LOL! I think I'm just being too nitpicky and I'll get the "oooh, miss I had 7 years of French . ." reaction, LOL.

I got the DVC DVD not too long ago. . . they even pronounce is the wrong way on there!

Another one I heard a bunch of people mispronouncing (my mom included) is Le Cellier. She, and others (even CMs when we were making ADRs at the resort for another meal) pronounce is "luh sell-ee-air" instead of "luh-sell-ee-ay" (and to get even more technical that's still an "american" pronunciation of it since it would be said so fast it would sound more like "luh-sel-yay" -not sure if my phonetics make sense, LOL)

 

[VSL]

I thought that the correct French pronunciation was 'kon-see-arzh'.

No idea why people would say 'kon-see-air' though - the 'ge' isn't silent (well, maybe the 'e', but that's there for us to pronounce the 'g' out loud!).

 

[Diva of Dragons]

LOL!! this one gets me too!! Another one that bugs me is when people who actually work in Starbucks or, any coffe place, call espresso ~ eXpresso! There's no X, people!!!

 

[MrsJackSparrow]

What about the people who insist on pronouncing accessories as assessories? Where did that come from?

And LOL at sounding a bit like your from Chicago, Dan Murphy! I can so relate to that one!

In California getting a haircut, "Where are you from?" "Chicago." " Say it again! " "Chicago." "Hey, come here. You have to hear her say this. Say it again! "

 

[princess pooh]

I thought that the correct French pronunciation was 'kon-see-arzh'.

I always pronounced it the French way which is con-see-air-ge (with a soft g at the end. My mom is francophone so I'm guessing that's the proper way to say it. It's funny because here the caretaker of a building is called a concierge.

 

[VSL]

I always pronounced it the French way which is con-see-air-ge (with a soft g at the end. My mom is francophone so I'm guessing that's the proper way to say it.

I didn't know any other way to express a soft 'g' (I was going to use a 'j', but that still wouldn't have been quite soft enough)

 

[princess pooh]

I totally knew what you meant VSL . I was just trying to point out that I pronounce it with an air sound instead of ar. I think I'm just going to make my life easier from now on and refer to the concierge as the helper person!

 

[MouseWorshipin]

May be regional linguistic variations. I know some folks say I talk like I am from Chicago.

......That's Chicago, Illinoiz, right?

 

[Holly]

LOL!! this one gets me too!! Another one that bugs me is when people who actually work in Starbucks or, any coffe place, call espresso ~ eXpresso! There's no X, people!!!

 

[MAKmom]

I'm surprised Disney does not have another name for Concierge.
Example: employee = cast member. They are so much more then your standard Concierge. They are wonderful.