Pronunciation Question

[All Aboard]

This has nothing to do with trip planning, but I knew I could get an answer here.

Whenever I read a post with the word "whilst" in it, I never know exactly how to pronounce it (and I'd like to pronounce it properly.) Is "i" long, as in "while" or short as in "wilt"? Thanks so much.

 

[CarolDel]

it is long like "why"(lst)

 

[KayleeUK]

Just popped this over too Community Board for you

 

[KayleeUK]

Whoops meant to put this on UK Community - Doh

 

[Nutsy]

Not to worry Kaylee

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have always pronounced it short, as in will. I will have to change to the correct way, long. Thanks, good question, gcurling.

 

[edie w]

My colleague, who is from somewhere between Wakefield and Barnsley, pronounces it with a short "i", although I would never do so, being from the other side of the Pennines.

The Collins dictionary uses a long "i". The Oxford English Dictionary would be definitive, but I don't have one to hand.

 

[BONZO]

This may (or may not) assist: -


Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993.

whilst (conj.)


.....meaning “while,” is mainly British, although some Americans use it too; pronounce it either HWEILST or WEILST, not with the short vowel of will.

 

[All Aboard]

Thanks for the replies. I had forgotten I had asked this question until today - roughly 4 weeks later. I checked back and, of course, an answer was waiting.

 

[mickg7dyd]

Hi,
Talking of pronounciation how often do you here Brits call Kissimmee.. Kissymee.?
The locals think that is so funny.

Mick.

 

[WDWfan uk]

LOL Mick - I've never heard anyone call Kissimmee Kissymee Although I do hear some folk stress the sim and some stress the mee ...... hey ho! You say tomAto and I say tomahto

 

[Dimplenose]

This thread has reminded me of a comedy I saw on TV years and years ago. It was a televised stage show (I don't remeber what, maybe Secret Policemans Ball).

One of the actors pretended an act hadn't turned up and he'd been left to sing their song instead but he had to read the lyrics as he didn't know the words. The song was "You say Tomato" and he pronounced every pair of words the same and pretended to be very confused. I found it very funny ...... but then again it was probably funnier to watch than describe.

Libby

 

[marlouwrig]

OK so how do you pronounce Kissimmee? I admit I belong to the Kissymee brigade and would be grateful for an electrocution lesson.

 

[edie w]

ki - SIM - mee, with the emphasis on the middle syllable. It's a native American word, like many place names in Florida.

I think just about everyone who hasn't been calls it Kissy-mee.

Libby I know the sketch you mean - hilarious! Can't remember who it was though.