Re: Pronunciation of "Helvetica"

Jukka K. Korpela wrote:

Farooq W <farooq.w@xxxxxxxxx> scripsit:

Helvetica Chimica Acta is a very famous Swiss chemistry journal (so
named in World War days to show neutrality). I used to pronouce this
"Hell-veti-ka Kemika Akta", until someone claimed that it is
"Hell-feti-ka Shemika Acta". He said a native German corrected him.

The name is neo-Latin, so everyone and his brother pronounces it in his own
way, depending on one's cultural background (especially native language) and
knowledge about Latin. Pronouncing the "v" as [f] is a striking Germanism,
though, and suggests lack of understanding of Latin, or willingness to
please fellow citizens who know no Latin either. And I suppose by "Shemika"
you refer to pronouncing the "ch" as in German (rather than as "sch" in
German, "sh" in English), which would also be a strong Germanism.

If he meand /x/ rather than /S/, why would he spell it with <sh>?
--
Peter T. Daniels grammatim@xxxxxxx
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Pronunciation of "Helvetica"
    ... The name is neo-Latin, so everyone and his brother pronounces it in his ... please fellow citizens who know no Latin either. ... German, "sh" in English), which would also be a strong Germanism. ...
    (sci.lang)
  • Re: Qvi?
    ... Latin was spoken in Rome. ... I think the Italians pretty much know how to pronouce there own bloody ...
    (rec.music.opera)