Is it just me or is it funny that some people can't even accept that there is more than one proper pronunciation for the word "ukulele?" There are words for people like this, but I am too polite to use them... so I'll just refer to those words and let you assign them yourself!
Language is fluid, ever-changing, and varies greatly between locales. It is a fascinating subject.
In England there is an accent which, according to The Oxford English Dictionary, is the standard pronunciation for English words in Britain. It is known as Received Pronunciation, and is sometimes referred to as "the Queen's English." Interestingly, recordings show that even the Queen herself no longer pronounces certain words the same way she did 50 years ago! Thus, the Queen's English has evolved. Neat, huh?
Phonetic variation has been introduced to the pronunciation of every single word we speak with the passage of time and the separation of distance... including the word "ukulele." This variation contributes to the birth of local dialects and eventually even to the birth of entirely new languages! It is a testament to the great diversity and adaptability of mankind, and it is essential to the continuous development of one of our most important tools: language!
So--don't knock those who say it the other way. Instead, embrace the flexibility and utility of human linguistics. It is a miracle perhaps unparalleled by any other human trait.
Language is fluid, ever-changing, and varies greatly between locales. It is a fascinating subject.
In England there is an accent which, according to The Oxford English Dictionary, is the standard pronunciation for English words in Britain. It is known as Received Pronunciation, and is sometimes referred to as "the Queen's English." Interestingly, recordings show that even the Queen herself no longer pronounces certain words the same way she did 50 years ago! Thus, the Queen's English has evolved. Neat, huh?
Phonetic variation has been introduced to the pronunciation of every single word we speak with the passage of time and the separation of distance... including the word "ukulele." This variation contributes to the birth of local dialects and eventually even to the birth of entirely new languages! It is a testament to the great diversity and adaptability of mankind, and it is essential to the continuous development of one of our most important tools: language!
So--don't knock those who say it the other way. Instead, embrace the flexibility and utility of human linguistics. It is a miracle perhaps unparalleled by any other human trait.