Vote of the week: Pronouncing 'Caribbean'?
My family and I got into a little bit of a fight last week when we visited Disneyland.
Specifically, over how to pronounce the name of the ride Pirates of the Caribbean.
So we decided... to milk it for a vote of the week!
Defend your choice in the comments, or just jabber about whatever your want....
Replies (11)
I think so too but I think here in the states we may tend to pronounce things as they appear to be spelled, like at first learning a new word & sounding it out, then figuring it out & thinking, well, this MUST be right! I still say it as Care-uh-BEE-in just coz it's easier to say & think of quickly, & it sounds more 'southern', lolol. Plus that's really the way I've ALWAYS heard the title pronounced & it just 'sounds' right. Now, if we're in a conversation about the actual CARIBBEAN ocean, then I say Cah-rib-ee-in (the other way) because that's the way I've heard the actual Ocean's name pronounced which I think IS correct from what I've heard, like in school, etc. Confused yet?? lol.
What's funny is I just realized I say it both ways but under different context. If it's the movie and the ride, it's CARE-Uh-Bee-an but if it's the islands in the context of a vacation or cruise, I say Cuh-RIB-bee-an. LOL
Wow ... is this actually worth voting on? No offense ... just a bizarre topic.
What can I say? I'm in a bizarre and trivial mood today....
When I'm on vacation I say Car-Ib-ee-un but I call the attraction Care-uh-bee-ann. Its wierd.
I say it both ways depending on which way it comes out at the time. I'm sure if I've had a few drinks I would even find some other way to pronounce it.
Robert, go ahead and poll us on anything...it's your site.
(not sucking up, I just like polls about any topic)
I'm the same as Don--I say Care-uh-be-an for the ride/movies, but in reference to the cruiseline or the islands I say cuh-rib-e-an.
Well, that's what families are for!
I vote the second answer.
If I’m not mistaken Care-uh-bee-ann is how it was pronounced when Disney designed and introduced the ride – might have been one of those Americanized words. Over the years, the word has been changed and is pronounced as Cuh-rib-ee-uhn. But out of respect for Disney, I think it should be said in the original way – p.c. or not!
Alright, I cracked -
"Care-uh-bee-in"
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Funny thing is, both are supposedly correct. But correct me if I'm wrong, only America uses both? I'd think people in the actual Caribbean pronounce it 'kah-RIH-bee-an', or 'Cuh-rib-ee-uhn'