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ArchivesQuestion:the pronunciation of "Irene" ?
Hi:
What is the English pronunciation of the name "Irene", especially the accent?
Should it be:
/EYE-reen/
or
/eye-REEN/
or
/eye-REE-nee/
or
/eye-REE-ni/
Could anyone help me to answer this question? Thanks!
What is the English pronunciation of the name "Irene", especially the accent?
Should it be:
/EYE-reen/
or
/eye-REEN/
or
/eye-REE-nee/
or
/eye-REE-ni/
Could anyone help me to answer this question? Thanks!
1
Replies
Here in Britain the usual pronunciation is EYE-reen with the stress on the first syllable. The only time I've heard eye-REEN is the character in the Australian soap Home and Away. I've not personally heard anyone pronounce it with 3 syllables but I'm sure there's a few.
This message was edited 7/16/2009, 5:10 AM
1
eye-REEN has been the normal pronunciation in the USA for a couple of centuries.
eye-REE-nee used to be the common pronunciation in England. However, many in England now use the two syllable pronunciation after it was introduced into the UK through American plays and films.
eye-REE-nee used to be the common pronunciation in England. However, many in England now use the two syllable pronunciation after it was introduced into the UK through American plays and films.
1
Agree with this, except in England the first syllable is normally stressed: EYE-reen.
1
I've always heard it pronounced eye-REEN.
However, on British television, I've heard it said eye-REE-nee.
However, on British television, I've heard it said eye-REE-nee.
1
Thanks:)
But what is the stress of this name in USA?
Should it be /EYE-reen/ or /eye-REEN/ ? (the stress is different)
But what is the stress of this name in USA?
Should it be /EYE-reen/ or /eye-REEN/ ? (the stress is different)
1
Stress on the second syllable is standard in the U.S.: eye-REEN.
1
Then is it different in USA comparing with Britain?
Because Lethe said in Britain the usual pronunciation is EYE-reen with the stress on the first syllable.
So is it true that in U.S. the more common one is /eye-REEN/ with the Stress on the second syllable, and not /EYE-reen/?
Because Lethe said in Britain the usual pronunciation is EYE-reen with the stress on the first syllable.
So is it true that in U.S. the more common one is /eye-REEN/ with the Stress on the second syllable, and not /EYE-reen/?
1
Yes, that's right, and this also applies to other names with the same ending such as Maureen, Doreen, etc. The stress is generally on the first syllable in Britain and the second in the USA.
1
Thanks very much!
1
The stress is on the last syllable "ir-ENE" in American pronunciation, but it's still considered wrong if you look back at how it's supposed to be pronounced in original Greek. It is pronounced "ee-rEE-nEE"in Greek. It means "peace".
1
The stress is on the last syllable "ir-ENE" in American pronunciation, but it's still considered wrong if you look back at how it's supposed to be pronounced in original Greek. It's is pronounced "ee-rEE-nEE"in Greek. It means "peace".
1