Part 2: 25 (More) Commonly Mispronounced Words – Malaysia Edition
Hey there! If you came from part 1 of the 25 Commonly Mispronounced Words (Malaysia Edition), you might be thinking “What, there’s more?” or “What other word have I been mispronouncing all my life?” or “Is my life a lie?”. Well, good news and bad news. The bad news is that yes, here are 25 OTHER words that you may or may not have been mispronouncing, and the good news is that fear not, we are here to correct those mistakes! Here’s to better English proficiency!
P.S. If you have not read par 1 of the 25 Most Commonly Mispronounced Words (Malaysia Edition), check it out here.
#1. Aisle
How most Malaysians pronounce this word: /ai-sel/
How it should be pronounced: /ile/
The next time you see someone walking down a church or a supermarket aisle, remember that they are walking down the aisle with a silent s.
#2. Pronunciation
How most Malaysians pronounce this word: /pro-naun-si-a-syen/
How it should be pronounced: /pro-nun-si-a-syen/
Ironic, isn’t it? Be sure to get your pronunciation of the word pronunciation right the next time! Though the spelling of the word looks similar to the word pronoun, vare in mind that the word pronounciation does not exist.
#3. Archive
How most Malaysians pronounce this word: /aa-cheev/, /aa-keev/
How it should be pronounced: /aa-kive/
The word archive, when pronounced correctly, rhymes with the words why and sky. Once again, we see the case of Malaysians being influenced by their mother tongues; the Malay translation of the word archive, is indeed arkib.
#4. Congrats
How most Malaysians pronounce this word: /kon-gra-tes/
How it should be pronounced: /kawn-grats/
This pleasantry commonly used to celebrate someone else’s victory and success, also the child of congratulations is actually a two-syllable word, not three! The next time you wish someone, make sure to do it the right way.
#5. Sword
How most Malaysians pronounce this word: /s-wor-d/
How it should be pronounced: /sawd/
When pronouncing this word hat spells a strong weapon used by our ancestors to fight off their enemies, the w in the sword is to be forgotten. There is also no need to emphasize on the r too.
#6. Coup
How most Malaysians pronounce this word: /koop/, /ku-ohp/
How it should be pronounced: /koo/
The p in the coup is silent! Hmm, why not spell it as coo then?
#7. Espresso
How most Malaysians pronounce this word: /ex-pres-so/
How it should be pronounced: /ehs-preh-so/
Coffee, tea or me? Well yes, getting your morning coffe at Starbucks can be a rather ‘express’ experience, but the next time you order an espresso double shot, remember to practice pronouncing the drink right!
#8. Vineyard
How most Malaysians pronounce this word: /vein-yard/, /wine-yard/
How it should be pronounced: /vin-yard/
The vine in vineyard does look similar to the word wine, but they do not have the same pronunciation. The e in vineyard is actually a silent one. Oh come on, who made these rules? Why are they so confusing?
#9. Quay
How most Malaysians pronounce this word: /kway/
How it should be pronounced: /kee/
Once again, another word originating from the beautiful and sophisticated French. The correct pronunciation of the word quay rhymes with the key you use to unlock your doors.
#10. Plumber
How most Malaysians pronounce this word: /plum-beh/
How it should be pronounced: /plu-muh/
I’m guilty for this one! When calling the guy that fixes your broken pipes, remember to leave the b out, it’s a silent one!
#11. Menu
How most Malaysians pronounce this word: /muh-new/, /meh-noo/
How it should be pronounced: /meh-nyoo/
You probably did not see this one coming. The nu in the menu rhymes with the word new when pronounced correctly.
#12. Quinoa
How most Malaysians pronounce this word: /kee-nu-ah/, /kee-no-ah/
How it should be pronounced: /keen-wah/
This nutritious grain is a two-syllable word, not three! Did you know, that quinoa is very high in fiber, much higher than most grains!
#13. Niche
How most Malaysians pronounce this word: /neexh/
How it should be pronounced: /neesh/
This word that represents the comfortable or suitable position in one’s life or employment, does not rhyme with the pesky blood-sucking leeches you get on your legs after a muddy hike in the jungle.
#14. Gauge
How most Malaysians pronounce this word: /gorge/, /gouge/
How it should be pronounced: /geij/
A gauge, is an instrument that measures and gives a visual display of the amount, level or contents of something. To gouge, can mean to make a hole or dent in something. So don’t mispronounce, or you might end up with a hole in your wall.
#15. Children
How most Malaysians pronounce this word: /chew-ren/
How it should be pronounced: /chill-dren/
What is it that you want to chew? Malaysians better write it in our to-do-lists to stop this mispronunciation once and for all, or else our chew- I mean children can never tell the difference.
#16. Excuse Me
How most Malaysians pronounce this word: /es-kew mee/, /cuse me/
How it should be pronounced: /ex-skewz mee/
Excuse me, please get your pronunciation right.
#17. Mayonnaise
How most Malaysians pronounce this word: /mah-yo-niss/, /mei-yoh-nees/
How it should be pronounced: /mei-uh-neiz/
What I like to do to make sure that I’m pronouncing this word right is to pretend I was a fancy princess. Neiz sounds fancier than niss, don’t you think?
#18. Invitation
How most Malaysians pronounce this word: /in-vai-ta-syen/
How it should be pronounced: /in-vuh-tei-shun/
Unlike the word invite, invitation does not have an e at the end. So the next time you send an invitation, remember to get it right!
#19. Genre
How most Malaysians pronounce this word: /jen-ra/, /jen-rei/
How it should be pronounced: /zhon-ruh/
Once again, another word from the beautiful French! This word that means sort, can be hard to pronounce.
#20. Forte
How most Malaysians pronounce this word: /fort/
How it should be pronounced: /for-tei/
Surprise, surprise, it’s a two-syllable word. Oh, the e in the forte is not a silent one. Soon enough, pronunciation would be your forte.
#21. Pizza
How most Malaysians pronounce this word: /pee-za/
How it should be pronounced: /peet-za/
1300-888-333, Domino’s Pizza anyone?
#22. Often
How most Malaysians pronounce this word: /off-tun/
How it should be pronounced: /off-en/
More often than not, we mispronounce the word often. The t in often is silent.
#23. Debut
How most Malaysians pronounce this word: /bee-bute/
How it should be pronounced: /dei-byoo/
Calling all kpop fans out there! The next time your kpop idol comes out with a new debut, remember to keep the t silent.
#24. Meme
How most Malaysians pronounce this word: /mee-mee/, /meh-meh/
How it should be pronounced: /meem/
The hilarious images and gifs you see online are actually known as meems, not your cat Mimi.
#25. Debris
How most Malaysians pronounce this word: /deh-brees/
How it should be pronounced: /dei-bree/
Here we go again, a silent s.
So, how many (more) words have you been mispronouncing? Don’t worry, plenty of us mispronounce tons of words in the English dictionary. Remember, practice makes perfect!