My mate Dave once made a terrible spelling mistake at work when trying to test my knowledge of Capital Cities. He spelt Switzerland without a z (i.e. Switerland)! I know what you're thinking...that's outrageous!
Our whole workforce then had an argument for the rest of the day about how the first syllable "Swit" is pronounced. Does it:
a) rhyme with white (i.e. swhite - er - land); or
b) rhyme with wit (i.e. swhit - er - land)?
There was a 50 / 50 split so we need your brains to help us reach a decision and settle this matter once and for all.
2006-11-17 05:55:29 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
In England, it rhymes with wit. Its pronounced swit-ser-land.
2006-11-17 06:05:54 · answer #1 · answered by epbr123 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
In standard english, it would have to be (b), because the 'e' can't be part of two different syllables at the same time.
The combination 'rl' doesn't exist on its own in english; these letters only appear after a vowel. So the 'ite' (as in 'shite') can only operate by 'stealing' the 'e' from 'er' or 'erl'.
Either 'swit - erl - and' or 'swit - er - land'. Short 'i' either way.
(just like you'd say 'nitwit', not 'nitewite'; or then again...)
2006-11-17 06:22:07 · answer #2 · answered by Fitology 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The English word "Switzerland" is pronounced so the first syllable rhymes with "wit".
However, what they say there is "die Schweitz", which sounds like sh-vites (as in "invites" - short for "invitations"), so I guess saying the first syllable so it rhymes with "white" is closer to the original pronounciation.
2006-11-17 07:43:10 · answer #3 · answered by lillielil 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is absolutely 100% pronounced swhite-er-land! It would have to be spelt with two T's (switter-er-land) to be pronounced that way. And it ain't! Case closed. Great question marra!
2006-11-17 07:03:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are saying Switzerland in English , Switz- rhymes with mitts.
In German, Switzerland is die Schweitz, which rhymes with
whites.
P.S. Who is the pusillanimous cretin who keeps giving thumbs down for correct answers? Maybe you are from Nit-witzerland.
2006-11-17 06:09:51 · answer #5 · answered by True Blue 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would vote for the rhyme with wit
2006-11-17 05:59:38 · answer #6 · answered by SteveT 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well.. I was there two times and THEY pronounce it as I would and that is:
Switzerland
Switz (like swits)
er (like errrrr)
land (like land)
2006-11-17 06:31:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
B) Wit with a Z after, then erland....
2006-11-18 04:36:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
definately the rhyme with wit!!
2006-11-17 06:04:12 · answer #9 · answered by martinharrild 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i read it like rhymining with "wit" - if it had a H in like white then it wud be pronounced swhiterland! hehe funny stuff
2006-11-17 05:59:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋