How to Pronounce Wikipedia
Wikipedia is a free collaborative online encyclopedia created by users of the site. But how do you correctly say the word? There is a lot of controversy over that topic, actually. However, there are generally two acceptable ways to say “Wikipedia.”
Using the First Acceptable Pronunciation
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Break the word into its syllables. It will be easier to pronounce that way. “Wikipedia” has five syllables.
- It’s how the first and second syllables are pronounced that generates the controversy. As for Wikipedia itself? It suggests two versions as acceptable, both presented here.
- The bottom line is that sometimes a word's pronunciation shifts because so many people deviate in how they say it that the new version becomes the most common. That’s happened here.
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The most common American pronunciation is generally believed to be “Wi-KI-pee-dee-ah.” You will sometimes see this written as “Wick-IH-pee-dee-ah” with the emphasis on the second syllable. The key point is that the “i” in “wi” and the "i" in “ki” sound like the “i” in “sit.”
- However, Wikipedia itself presents that version as only one correct option, and it flies in the face of the word’s Hawaiian etymology.
- There is a great deal of confusion over how to pronounce “Wikipedia” but the “wi-ki” version is the most commonly used in America and in dictionaries.
Using the Second Acceptable Pronunciation
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Understand regional differences. The British and American English pronunciations of Wikipedia are similar, but they are not exact. The British version is, ironically, more similar to the native Hawaiian.
- Although the American English version is “Wi-KI-pee-dee-ah,” the British version pronounces the first and second syllable differently.
- Instead of “wi” and “ki,” the first syllable is pronounced “wee” and the second syllable is pronounced “kee” in British English. So, Brits say “Wee-kee-PEE-dee-ah" (or "we-key-PEE-dee-ah.) Brits also put the emphasis on the third syllable.
- Some Australians and UK speakers will say this word more like “wi-kee-PEE-dee-ah” but they still elongate the second syllable more than most American speakers.
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Pronounce wiki correctly. What confuses people sometimes is that some believe the proper pronunciation of “wiki” is “we-key” or "wee-kee," not “wick-ee” when it stands on its own. However, “whicky” or “wi-ki” is a term preferred by some big brands, including when added to another word.
- ”We-key” matches the British pronunciation of the first two syllables of “Wikipedia” but it’s different from the American version.
- There are many other words that start with “wiki” in addition to Wikipedia, such as (obviously since you’re reading it), wikiHow, and wikileaks.
Determining the Roots of the Word
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Say it as Hawaiians would. If you want to be a purist, you should know that those who argue the word should be pronounced “we-key” or “wee-KEE-pee-dee-ah” say they are basing that on the Hawaiian language. And they have a point.
- Wiki is a Hawaiian word. It means “quick.” When you repeat the word, such as saying “wiki wiki," you are saying “very quick” in Hawaiian.
- The developer of the first wiki decided to use the word after discovering a “wiki wiki” shuttle bus on a trip to Hawaii. He thought it would work for what he was considering the “quick Web.” In Hawaiian, the proper pronunciation of the word is “we-key” or “wee-kee.” However, “wick-ee” or “wi-ki” has widely taken over that usage with many people.
- It’s become so common that most dictionaries now present the “correct” pronunciation as “wick-ee" or "wi-ki" when used with "Wikipedia."Bottom line: To be a purist, say "we-key-PEE-dee-ah" but realize that many people won't think you are saying it right and that "wi-KI-pee-dee-ah" is also now considered correct usage, especially in America.
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- People with different accents will pronounce the word differently when speaking English.
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