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Same with pret-a-manger in London. Everyone pronounces 'pret' to rhyme with 'let', although most people know the correct pronunciation (more like pray). No-one
by soVeryTired 9y ago
Same with pret-a-manger in London.
Everyone pronounces 'pret' to rhyme with 'let', although most people know the correct pronunciation (more like pray). No-one even attempts the 'manger' part.
Apparently in Germany it's just the opposite: they go out of their way to pronounce things the 'correct' way, as they're pronounced in the native language.
- donkeyponcho 9y agoRegarding “prêt.” You are correct when the word is isolated. However, in the locution “prêt à manger,” the word is followed by a vowel sound, so the “t” is indeed pronounced, a phenomenon known as enchaînement. This gives some logic to the common English pronunciation of the fast food chain.
- FeteCommuniste 9y agoThe pronunciation of the "t" in this case is a result of liaison, not enchaînement. Enchaînement has to do with the syllabification of French phrases, e.g. "seize heures" is pronounced like "sê zeur," "moving" the word-final "z" to the start of the following vowel-inital word.
- wazoox 9y agoActually, in proper French you're suppose to "link" the words ("faire la liaison"), so it's perfectly correct to make the "t" heard.
- tincholio 9y agoThe correct pronunciation of "prêt" is nowhere near that of "pray" (there's no y-like sound at the end).