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Help[Opinions] One very bad mispronunciation
I was watching TV and I saw an American guy on it called Bjorn. Not a bad name, I was thinking, until I heard how he pronounced it.
BID-JORN, the English way. I didn't know whether to laugh or to cry, it's that bad. And I thought before that everyone knew how to pronounce Bjorn (like Byorn).
BID-JORN, the English way. I didn't know whether to laugh or to cry, it's that bad. And I thought before that everyone knew how to pronounce Bjorn (like Byorn).
This message was edited 5/6/2009, 9:34 AM
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Wait, what?
I've never ever heard Bjorn pronounced or mispronounced that way. That's not a legitimate English pronunciation at all. It's still Byorn. And it's not like you don't see/hear it around, so I don't get how they could mispronounce it like that. Ugh, I don't know whether to laugh or cry either!
I've never ever heard Bjorn pronounced or mispronounced that way. That's not a legitimate English pronunciation at all. It's still Byorn. And it's not like you don't see/hear it around, so I don't get how they could mispronounce it like that. Ugh, I don't know whether to laugh or cry either!
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People in my area of the U.S. seem to have a lot of trouble pronouncing j as y. It aggravates me. I know a Sonja who pronounces it SAHN-jah and a few Tanjas who pronounce it TAN-jah.
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Out of interest....
Out of interest, do people not learn foreign languages in America? Even Spanish, maybe, as there are lots of Spanish speaking countries near you? Where I live, aside from English, almost everyone can speak Irish, since we all learn it in school.
Out of interest, do people not learn foreign languages in America? Even Spanish, maybe, as there are lots of Spanish speaking countries near you? Where I live, aside from English, almost everyone can speak Irish, since we all learn it in school.
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Generally people do not learn foreign languages in America. Most states required students to take a year or two of a foreign language (usually French or Spanish) before they can graduate high school, but it's just not enough for any real learning to occur. And it's typically started too late, not until at least 14 or 15 years old, at which point the brain is not as capable of aquiring new language skills. Basically the system is very screwed up. In California, where I live, most people have a pretty basic grasp of Spanish due to the large amount of Spanish-speakers living here. But a vast majority of Americans beleive that the US is and should remain a one-langage country. They are not very tolerant of non-English speaking immigrants. They think people should essentially learn English or get out. And of course they wouldn't dream of learning another language! It's all very ignorant and annoying.
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That's interesting. I feel the same as you about people not wanting to learn another language. I'm very intolerant of any Gael who can't speak Irish, and doesn't want to learn how. I'm only 14, so I don't claim to be completely fluent in it (I will be, someday), but some people can't go much further than "Conas atá tú?" (How are you?) It's like you can't speak your own language. (Que my signature!) Plus, I think Irish is far more beautiful that English. I don't know why we don't speak it all the time, as a first language rather than a second one. Many people can also speak basic French over here, too. I love learning languages!
This message was edited 5/6/2009, 12:42 PM
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There isn't much of a need in the US to learn other languages. I majored in Russian and spent a summer in Moscow. My biggest problem there was that once people hear your accent, they automatically start speaking English. How can I learn their language if the native speakers won't use it with me when I use it. Also, there's a difference between Spanish and Norwegian. Most people can say Spanish names the way they should be said, probably because there are so many Mexican (Hispanic) immigrants and a neghboring country speaks it. As for Norwegian, not many people know it here. I can see how they can be confused. I hate when they pronounce the j too.
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There seems to be a general ignorance of other languages and cultures in America which is embarrassing. Even if you don't study the language you'd think you would at least pick up on a few things (i.e. do not order a "kay-sa-dill-ah"). But yeah the foreign language programs in US public schools are severely lacking. I had to do three years of French 1 because each school I transferred to wouldn't accept the fact that I might already be able to say 'banana' in French. Sigh.
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I'm American and I've never heard it pronounced that way. Ever. I really can't imagine someone looking at it and pronouncing it like that--especially the bearer himself!
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That is pretty awful. I'd feel a bit embarrassed if I were him.
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Oh, gosh. That is bad.
It reminds me of the Bajorans from Deep Space Nine.
It reminds me of the Bajorans from Deep Space Nine.
This message was edited 5/6/2009, 9:43 AM
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Blergh. I hate Björn enough as it is, never mind that pronunciation. Now I wonder how he pronounces Björk. ;P
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I don't think people know what to do with the combined "Bj" sound - especially in north America where we rarely hear other languages. We're just too Anglo for our own good!
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I knew a guy named Bjorn, but he pronounced it B-YORN. I've never heard it pronounced any other way, so that is pretty weird.
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