Please don't just argue one way or the other - give a reliable source. History Channel just said gil-o-teen, which is why I ask (I've always heard gee-o-teen).
2007-10-28 17:12:47 · 9 answers · asked by lizzy208_ayla 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
The first thing I did when I heard it the other way was go on m-w.com. I am looking more for the history behind either pronunciation and why one would be more correct or more used over the other - again with a reliable source.
2007-10-28 18:17:40 · update #1
"Guillotine" is a French word...as this method of execution was invented and made popular in France. IE Marie Antoinette.
In French, when you have "ill", it makes a sound that is closest to the sound of a long "a" (like in the word "mate"), quickly followed by the sound of "ee". Then, the transition between the "ill" to the "o" sounds like "yu" like in "yuck!"
So: G(hard) + a+ ee+ yu +tin
or try this: Gay+ee+yu+tin ....ya that's more like it.
The English adaptation is pronounced Gil+U+teen
Update: Whoever gave me a thumbs down is obviously not a native French speaker. It's NOT simply Gee+o+tine. If it DID sound like that it would be spelled guiotine. There would be no point in putting the double L. The double L has a distinct sound, almost like a double e, but NOT EXACTLY.
2007-10-28 18:34:33 · answer #1 · answered by Mr.Jim Lahey 4 · 8⤊ 2⤋
Guillotine Pronunciation
2016-10-28 20:13:09 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
How to pronounce guillotine?
Please don't just argue one way or the other - give a reliable source. History Channel just said gil-o-teen, which is why I ask (I've always heard gee-o-teen).
2015-08-25 17:43:59 · answer #3 · answered by Ina 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The pronounciation that you've commonly heard is the french pronunciation of guillotine, where they don't pronounce the 'll', and instead make it sound like 'y'. In english, the 'll' is pronounced, and it's most commonly pronounced as 'gil-uh-teen'. It should be pronounced 'gil-oh-teen' (like your History Channel example), but when speaking, the 'oh' tends to become 'uh'.
2007-10-28 17:24:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/guillotine
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guillotine
^ Two different dictionary links with pronunciation guides. They both list both pronunciations you mention, so I assume either is acceptable.
2007-10-28 17:22:11 · answer #5 · answered by N 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ghee-yo-teen
2007-10-28 17:24:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
According to MSN Encarta, it is pronounced gil-o-teen. If you go onto the MSN Encarta site, they even have a button that you click and it is pronounced for you. I always pronounced it gee-o-teen, but I guess I was wrong.
2007-10-28 17:24:08 · answer #7 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 5⤋
google merriam-webster on line. They will have a pronunciation and pronunciation guide.
2007-10-28 17:18:37 · answer #8 · answered by dogpatch USA 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yup, gee-o-teen.
I think only the english say it with the "L's"
2007-10-28 17:21:32 · answer #9 · answered by Agnostic 4 · 4⤊ 4⤋
gee-yo-teen
2007-10-28 22:59:31 · answer #10 · answered by Dori 6 · 7⤊ 3⤋