• @Varyk@sh.itjust.works
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    1311 months ago

    I understand that some people feel very strongly about pronunciations. So be angry about the correct pronunciation, heck, don’t use the correct pronunciation, who cares?

    But Wilhite made it, so he gets to name it, regardless of the popularity of later pronunciation debates that largely take place in a forum where you can’t actually pronounce the word because we’re all typing. It’s pretty funny.

    • @bustrpoindextr@lemmy.world
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      711 months ago

      Gerrymandering was named after Elbridge Gerry, but his name is pronounced Gary: https://youtu.be/Rp0Qz19nlG4

      Popularity of pronunciation does actually matter, regardless of origin.

      There are plenty of pronunciations that have changed from the original and are now generally accepted as correct. Here are some examples

      https://linguisticus.wordpress.com/2014/12/07/10-words-whose-pronunciation-has-changed-over-time/

      Anywho, if you have any recommendations for birthday jifts for kids, lemme know

    • Cryptic Fawn
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      11 months ago

      So be angry about the correct pronunciation

      I’m not angry about the correct pronunciation, since I and most people already do pronounce it correctly. As Gif, not Jif.

      But Wilhite made it, so he gets to name it

      You’re right about one thing; he named it. But he doesn’t get to dictate how it’s pronounced many years later after the majority had already been pronouncing it a certain way. If he wanted it called Jif, then he should have said so from the very beginning. Why wait till 2013? Doesn’t that seem odd to you? Dude likely doesn’t even care and only declared that in 2013 to start an argument over it.

      regardless of the popularity of later pronunciation

      I’m sorry but the popularity of how a word is pronounced does in fact actually matter. Plus, the English language is changing all the time and how we pronounce certain words also changes. People will say what feels most natural to them.

      that largely take place in a forum where you can’t actually pronounce the word because we’re all typing. It’s pretty funny.

      I’ve used the word Gif in real life, multiple times. Everyone I know pronounces it the same way. 🤷🏻‍♀️

      • @Varyk@sh.itjust.works
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        11 months ago

        However you want to pronounce it is fine, but it doesn’t make it correct.

        I don’t think there’s a time limit on announcing the way a creator prefers to pronounce the name of his creation.

        It became an internet sensation, people asked him about the correct way to pronounce gif, he specified how he prefers to pronounce it.

        I prefer to pronounce it that way as well, as the original pronunciation by the creator. That’s more correct to me, but nobody’s forcing you to pronounce it any particular way.

        • Cryptic Fawn
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          311 months ago

          but it doesn’t make it correct

          Except it does. This isn’t the first time to happen with the English language, and it won’t be the last.

          I don’t think there’s a time limit on announcing the way a creator prefers to pronounce the name of his creation.

          Sure, but the most popular way to pronounce a word wins, and it isn’t his way.

          people asked him about the correct way to pronounce gif, he specified how he prefers to pronounce it.

          Yea I’m aware, I read all about it back in 2013 as well.

          That’s more correct to me, but nobody’s forcing you to pronounce it any particular way.

          That’s nice. Now you know why the majority continue to pronounce it as Gif and not Jif, because it’s the most popular and comfortable way to pronounce it. The creators opinion on the matter is inconsequential.

          Cheers!

          • @Varyk@sh.itjust.works
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            11 months ago

            This is interesting, you’re kind of proving yourself wrong. If “The most popular way to pronounce a word wins”, as you say, then why are you and others still so ardently supportive of one pronunciation(deemed correct by the inventor) or the other(deemed incorrect by the inventor)? Seems like if you had won, there wouldn’t be any debate.

            It just sounds like you’re making the case that coba-bola should be the new name for Coca-Cola. That can definitely be your name for it, and you can try to convince as many people as you want of a name that you prefer. But it doesn’t change the original and correct name of that beverage.

            Sure, follow the majority. While majority rule often turns out to be incorrect and it doesn’t seem like the right way for me to make decisions or judgments, it’s certainly your prerogative to pronounced jif the same way many other people do.

            For you, a hard g is more popular and comfortable, and that’s great. Doesn’t make it correct, but it’s still great.

            • @bustrpoindextr@lemmy.world
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              211 months ago

              For you, a hard g is more popular and comfortable, and that’s great. Doesn’t make it correct, but it’s still great.

              Actually that’s exactly what makes it correct, language is democratic. The more popular way to convey ideas is the correct way, as that is the entire purpose of language (to convey ideas to other individuals) and that’s why language changes over time.

            • Cryptic Fawn
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              211 months ago

              I got to be honest with you, but I’m already over this topic, so I’m not even going to read your latest response to me. There really isn’t anything new either of us have to share; you pronounce it one way, the majority pronounce it another. The end. Have a good evening/night/morning/etc.