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How to pronounce Z?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Per Hansson, Jan 27, 2004.

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  1. Per Hansson TS Server Guru Posts: 1,796   +66

    When talking to The Planet tech support around 6 months ago I got introduced to saying the letter Z to an American...

    I have been in Ireland and pronounced it as "Zed" and people understood me, and that was how they pronounced it also...

    But Americans pronounce it as "Zee" now where my problem is is how to make the letters C and Z sound different...

    In School you get thaught English as secondary language but it's the U.K English, not American...

    So how do I pronounce it? Anyone dare to upload a wavefile? ;-)
    Per Hansson, Jan 27, 2004
    #1

  2. Didou Bowtie extraordinair! Posts: 5,898

    Zat is zee question.:D

    It makes you sound like Drakula.
    Didou, Jan 27, 2004
    #2

  3. StormBringer Newcomer, in training Posts: 2,871

    easiest way is to use words to associate the sound of the letter. I find myself having to do this when taking on the phone to people all the time.

    A-Alpha
    B-Beta
    C-Charlie
    Z-Zebra

    You just use a word that is easily associated with that letter.

    To try and explain the C and Z sounds, the C(See) would sound a bit like a hissing. The Z(Zee) is more of a zipping sound.
    StormBringer, Jan 27, 2004
    #3

  4. somekid007 Newcomer, in training Posts: 369

    "Zed"
    somekid007, Jan 27, 2004
    #4

  5. schizoid77 Newcomer, in training Posts: 124

    Z's buzz....

    C's hiss....

    Zed's dead baby, Zed's dead.
    schizoid77, Jan 27, 2004
    #5

  6. TS | Thomas Newcomer, in training Posts: 1,327

    Zed, but I'm from Ireland ;) My wifes american & she does indeed say "zee". Just stick with Zed ;)
    TS | Thomas, Jan 27, 2004
    #6
     

  7. vassil3427 Newcomer, in training Posts: 822

    I've never heard of anyone saying Zed instead of Zee....I'm american...So I guess thats all i've ever heard...
    vassil3427, Jan 27, 2004
    #7

  8. Arris TechSpot Evangelist Posts: 4,308   +17

    xyZee..

    Hmm doesn't sound right.

    xy Zed :D
    Arris, Jan 28, 2004
    #8

  9. Phantasm66 Newcomer, in training Posts: 6,504

    ZED
    Phantasm66, Jan 28, 2004
    #9

  10. LNCPapa TS Special Forces Posts: 3,948   +120

    I'm an American who lived in the UK for a few years - I think it really depends on current company. When I'm around anyone who has lived in or currently lives in Europe I pronounce it Zed. I work with several Irish folk here so it's Zed for them and Zee for my US associates.
    LNCPapa, Jan 28, 2004
    #10

  11. MrGaribaldi TechSpot Ambassador Posts: 2,802

    Just adding my vote for Zed...

    It's not your fault those americans never learned how to pronounce the words properly ;) :D
    MrGaribaldi, Jan 28, 2004
    #11

  12. vassil3427 Newcomer, in training Posts: 822

    Na come on guys, you're all backwards..Its zeeeeeeeeee :D
    vassil3427, Jan 28, 2004
    #12

  13. Nic TechSpot Paladin Posts: 1,926

    Zed here. Now just try pronouncing that old BBC TV series 'Z Cars' ('Zed' Cars). It just just doesn't sound right with a 'Zee'. Unless maybe you are french. :D
    Nic, Jan 28, 2004
    #13

  14. Per Hansson TS Server Guru Posts: 1,796   +66

    Alright, now you have really cleared up my confusion, thanx allot guys!

    Zee(d) out ;-)
    Per Hansson, Jan 28, 2004
    #14

  15. ptitterington TechSpot Maniac Posts: 376

    So now we progress to the letter H, Some say aitch some say haitch

    you say potato............:grinthumb
    ptitterington, Jan 28, 2004
    #15

  16. Goofy Newfie Newcomer, in training Posts: 211

    zed.........

    Must be a British Empire thingy.
    Goofy Newfie, Jan 28, 2004
    #16

  17. StormBringer Newcomer, in training Posts: 2,871

    Z is a letter, Zed is the old man who lives down the road, sits on his front porch cleaning his toenails with a hunting knife :p
    StormBringer, Jan 28, 2004
    #17

  18. RealBlackStuff Newcomer, in training Posts: 8,165

    You guys ever heard how the name "America" came into being?
    About a thousand years ago, some vikings discovered land at the other side of the ocean.
    They found some natives on the beach, who started jumping and shouting when they saw this big ship. So the Viking's chief, Eric, climbed onto the railing of the ship, and also started jumping, while shouting "I'm Eric, I'm Eric". Then his foot slipped, and the shout sounded like "I'm Eric, Aaaaggghhh".


    PS: Zed for me (Irish), Zee for my wife (American)
    RealBlackStuff, Jan 29, 2004
    #18

  19. SubKamran Newcomer, in training Posts: 303

    IINM, it's "Zed" but Americans (like me) pronounce it "Zee".

    In Pakistan, since they use British english, it's "Zed", and it's "Zeb-ra" not "Zee-bra".

    It's cool :grinthumb
    SubKamran, Jan 29, 2004
    #19

  20. SNGX1275 TS Special Forces Posts: 11,893   +117

    The little ABC's song you hear on kids shows in the US has lots of rhymes in it, and if you say Zed it just doesn't fit the rhyme of the rest of the song.
    SNGX1275, Jan 29, 2004
    #20
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