Babbel, a language-learning app has released its list of the top 10 mispronounced words of 2019! (have you been guilty of misspelling any of them…)
- Chernobyl (chair-nOHble)
The site of the biggest nuclear disaster in human history in 1986 and subject of a critically-acclaimed HBO series that aired from May to June - Eliud Kipchoge (EL-yood kip-chOHg)
● The Kenyan long-distance runner who, in October, became the first man in history to run a marathon in under two hours - Flygskam (flEEg-skam)
● A Swedish term translated as ‘flight shame’, which has been used in conjunction with efforts to reduce carbon emissions
○ Pronunciation notes: The ‘y’ in flygskam is pronounced similarly to the ‘ee’ in ‘bleed’, but with slightly rounded lips. This vowel pronunciation doesn’t exist in English. - Greta Thunberg (grAY-tah tOOn-bairk)
● A teenage environmental activist who led global school strikes and sailed the Atlantic over two weeks in August to speak at the UN climate summit
○ Pronunciation notes: The final ‘g’ in ‘Thunberg’ is typically softened by Swedish speakers into something like ‘yeh’ in English: ‘tOOn-bairyeh - Joaquin Phoenix (hwah-kEEn fEE-nix)
● A Puerto Rican-born American actor who impressed audiences with his eponymous role in Todd Phillips’ ‘Joker’ in October - Notre Dame (nOH-truh dAHm)
● Famous medieval cathedral in Paris, France, which partially burned down in April
○ Pronunciation notes: The ‘r’ in ‘Notre’ is articulated near the back of the mouth, and is nearly silent - Rami Malek (rAH-mee mA-lik)
● An American actor and producer who won the Academy Award for Best Actor in February for his portrayal of Freddie Mercury in ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’
○ Pronunciation notes: The actor himself pronounces the vowel in ‘Malek’ like the ‘a’ in ‘bat’ - Tekashi 6ix9ine (te-kAH-shee siks naYn)
● An American rapper and songwriter who in February pled guilty to charges related to racketeering in one of the most high-profile court cases of the year - Tokimeku (toh-kee-mE-koo)
● A Japanese word literally translated as “to flutter” popularized by organizing guru Marie Kondo as an expression of the joy one feels when things are neat and orderly - Typhoon Hagibis (tai-fOOn hah-gEE-bis)
● A category five hurricane that hit Japan in October, causing widespread destruction and resulting in numerous fatalities which interrupted the Rugby World Cup and Japanese F1 Grand Prix
Also be sure to check out Google Top Search of 2019
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