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From: kingscrusher
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  • Those of you who criticizing kingcrusher on pronunciation must leave earth immediately and go find a deferent galaxy to live in. Because on earth there is a level of stupidity that is tolerated and you have way pass that.

  • I try to pronounce Pirc correctly to avoid group think, but I appreciate your passion. I've been playing chess since 1968. Is that as long as you? Mebbe I should come to London again and we can argue about fianchetto over a pint. ;-)

  • i often find kingscrusher pronounces the sound "th"(as in think) and "f" interchangeably. i don't know if this is common in certain british dialect.

  • @penguinb4u so often "think" sounds like "fink". is there anyone else who agrees with me on this?

  • some of the sounds are interchangeable in a language, or sometimes a set of different sister languages. from linguistic point of view, the perception of something being "right" or "wrong" in a language is very different from the perception of the common people. no one single pronunciation can be claimed "the right", whereas all other variants completely wrong. its an entirely different topic of discussion, and i believe its beyond the topic of this video. i will go on if anybody is interested..

  • Your pronunciation of "pronunciation" is wrong. It is not, as you say, pro NOUN ci a tion but, rather, pro NUN ci a tion....tweaking you. Your analysis is as always top notch. I think you get upset about things you should ignore, however. Thanks for sharing your passion for chess with all of us.

  • @ledgeleaper a linguist would say any pronunciation of a word from a native speaker is not wrong, its a variant, a dialect. the "correct" pronunciation is also a variant or a dialect - the dialect that is considered "standard". "correct" means the one thats standardized, but others are definitely not wrong.

  • @penguinb4u My attempt at irony has failed. At the end of KC's video he said not to bother him with such things. And the word "pronunciation" being said in his way was too much for this American to pass up on. But you are right, of course, unless you are denying that there are not ways to mispronounce. Pronunciation, like mispronunciation, is a judgment. The moral of the video is: Don't be judgmental.

  • @ledgeleaper ah, so you are an american! may be its just an example of a word that the british pronounces differently. may be another native british will confirm this. the catch word being "native speaker".

    obviously a non native speaker can not exactly imitate the sounds of a foreign language, and thats why the foreign accent exists. speaking with an accent is not the exact way to represent a natural language, but it does not make much sense to say that its completely wrong..cntd

  • @penguinb4u to speak with a foreign accent, but a foreign speaker should try to get as close to the native speaker as possible

    speaking a languages has many layers. the very first layer is comprehensibility. the second layer is speaking proper/standard/right. sometimes when a foreign word is borrowed the sound might get a little modified here and there in a native language. often both the original and new versions are acceptable. similar word: pronounce "chelate."

  • @penguinb4u i have heard both ch and k version of chelate...linguistically ch/k are interchangeable sounds, hence the mix up.

  • @penguinb4u Natural language? And are you suggesting that I'm a non-native speaker? Clearly there are ways to mispronounce. Ways that are not ambiguously confused with accents. BTW, my criticism of KC's pronunciation of "pronunciation" is, I think correct. As evidenced by the phonetic spelling of his "mispronunciation" of "pronunciation."

  • @ledgeleaper no you misunderstood me completely. i never suggested you are a non native speaker. an amarican is a native english speaker, so is a british and an australian. but there are obvious differences in certain ways some of the common words are pronounced. your way might well not be the only right way -if that makes any sense.

  • @ledgeleaper

    and, phonetic spelling is never an "evidence" of a pronunciation being right or wrong. i will drop the issue coz you don't seem to be able to understand me.

  • @penguinb4u You are right, you are completely unintelligible.

  • @ledgeleaper i know, its not an easy topic, a complete layman will find it hard to understand

  • The world is going to shit, but we must sort out this Fianchetto pronunciation problem.

  • some say tomato, some say tomaato, who gives a shiz

  • The 'ch' in Fianchetto is not pronounced like the 'ch' in the word 'chess'. Its pronounced like the 'ch' in the name 'Michael'.

  • @nitbot Diplomatic Immunity - OED - I claim Diplomatic Immunity - Oxford English Dictionary (OED)- 1st way and main way of pronouncing Fianchetto in English is Fian-Chetto. You cannot arrest or pull up any English speaker when the OED has this as the main way of pronouncing the word. Sorry but you cannot. Diplomatic Immunity!

  • @kingscrusher For some reason this comment reminded me of when you shouted "Moral win! I claim moral win!"

  • Go on KC KC! Dont get frustrated, you create all this content for us for FREE! I will happily hear you say anything you want any way you want for the service you provide this community. My biggest fear is that one day you may stop, please dont! You are changing lives

  • I gotta dislike this video. Seriously, pronounce words whatever you want. I look at your videos because I like them. I don't wanna see a pronounciation course, I just wanna see violent chess with fun commentaries. Please KC, just don't give a damn about negative commentaries. What you do takes a lot of time and is entertaining, so MASSIVELY HUGE thumbs up for you KC!

  • KC - yeah, I saw the OED comment in the Pronunciation 2 vid! :-). If the 'ch' sound is the correct one then I suppose the precedent is that when a word is borrowed from another language then rules in the language that has borrowed it (in this case English from Italian) is the corrent way to say it. In that case I have been saying FianKETto wrong! Oh ... bollocks (which is anglo-saxon word with no disputed pronunciation dispute! :-)

  • I love it!

  • loving the hd video!

  • Kingscruser, I think you're right. Maybe I didn't get everything because my english isn't as good as I want to, but I see the main idea. All these stuff with "nicer words" stinks. This "positive" psychological people made them not humans anymore. Instead - blind beings who think that they play chess well.

    My best wishes for your, you're good player, I've get many interesting things from you're videos. Good luck.

  • LOL! KC sounds really annoyed in this video.  Its almost funny lol

  • At our chess club the Pirc is generally referred to as the prick. Not sure why.

  • There is a new video in this series available now - check reply video :)

  • :))

  • It's 'PRO-NUN-SEE-ATION' not 'PRO-NOWN-SEE-ATION'.

  • @chickenbrad Congratulations! You are the 3rd person to have picked up on that clearly deliberately "Pro-Nun-See-Ation" issue put into the video just to further stir up the already controversial debate. I think we can all safely agree, especially in the interests of promoting GM John Nunn and his excellent endgame books, one of which has become book of the year, that we should definitely say "Pro-Nunn-See-Ation". Thank you for clearing this one up. We have this one nailed!

  • @kingscrusher at the beggining of the vido you mispronounced pronunciation. The correct pronunciation is pru-nun-see-ation not pro-now-ciation.

  • Ahhahaha! This is amazing. This beats Vyvyan's rant about 'The Good Life' in The Young Ones...

  • First of all, as an American, I never argue pronunciation with an Englishman as Jimmy Carr stated on stage "To most of you it may seem as though I have an accent..of course I don't have an accent, this is just how things sound when they're pronounced properly". Anyway I love this video, humor and all, and now you've got me thinking about cello-ing my bishops. haha

  • Great video.

  • dont sweat it bro, ignore the retards

  • at least u got Cello right, Dude :D

  • I don't say "...keto" or "pierce" either. Pronunciation changes from language to language, and that's okay. I'm glad we don't say "thou" or "thee" anymore, otherwise, my nose would hurt from sticking it up all the time.

  • I LOVE IT!!!!!!

  • Hi, I'll have 6000 chicken fajitas

  • Uhmm... what's the big deal...? Uh yeah.... it's OKAY

  • Right On Bro! Pronunciation of English versions of foreign words is done with latitude. Communicate rather than adhere to awkward usages from other languages. Here in California, a few years back, a couple had returned from a trip abroad and were talking about the World Cup pronouncing it "Fooot Bowl" So I said No. It's "soccer." They said, We were in country xyz, and they say "Foooot Boowwl." A bit peeved I said, "We are in Palm Springs CA in America" WE say Soccer! Correct yourself!

  • @Mathview Word soccer was introduced to distinct between 2 different sports. I see no problem when Americans use the word soccer, NFL football is completely different from "european" football. Personally (and I am European) I enjoy watching it even more than our version.

  • @OiSuzy55 NFL "football" is not football. Its clearly "handegg".

  • @nitbot It's an improved version of football :)

  • here's another funny one "Ruy Lopez"...English speaking people pronounce it like ROY-LOW-PEARS without the "r" and with the stress in the in the fruit..those are actually two Spanish last names and they are pronounced ROOI LOPEZ with the stress in the particle LO...I'm only bringing the topic as I find it amusing, as KC probably does and as this video certainly was...Great stuff! Keep them comming...cheers!

  • why you all offended???? you're vids are great,,, dont get mad if we give you crap about pronounciations

  • Are you nominalist or not? I'm not. Do you believe in relativism of language or not? I don't. I think it's a controversial issue, philosophically speaking, but I think, as well as many others, that language is important and if fianchetto is an Italian word you have to pronounce it in the right way if you know how to pronounce it.

    Anyway, nice vid.

  • @tallinus Another philosopher! As far as relativism, keep in mind the distinction in liguistics between prescriptivism and descriptivism. 'Is' language relative? Looking around at language-use geographically and historically, I'd have to say, yes. Should language be relative? Maybe it'd be more effiecient if we all spoke a universal langauge with an absolute standard, probably based on logic or something (though, I'm suspicious about that, what with Frege and Russell and all).

  • @ThisSentenceIsFalse So standardization of any language is pointless? If language is relative, then how would you learn one? Using hands and a few phrases? Every language has rules (grammar, pronunciation...). The fact that people are raping languages (eng. ex:wanna, gonna, aKsed...) is something to be frowned upon and not waved away as irrelevant.

  • @OiSuzy55 Oh hi. Sorry, it's hard for me to be more precise in such a short space. Because language is observably relative doesn't mean that standardization is pointless or irrelevant. As Wittgenstein said there are no "private languages", but he also argued quite rigorously that language is not cut and dry either. I think you'd like David Foster Wallace's essay on prescriptivism and descriptivism. He's more of a prescriptivist like yourself. I envision a balance and a continnum myself.

  • @ThisSentenceIsFalse Hello to you, too. Of course I agree that languages evolve. But, here is a bit of a silly situation. Fianchetto isn't an English word and Pirc is a Slavic surname. So, the English really can't evolve this language. English recognizes phonemes of both. And by this logic, evolution of languages is driven by those who didn't master them in the first place.

  • @OiSuzy55 Yes, I know, and you're right in that we ought to respect other languages. I just personally like our mispronunciation of both those terms. Just an ear thing. But if I was speaking with an Italian or Slav in their languages, I'd follow their rules. But as an aside, another funny mispronunciation is the name Jesus, which comes from Jeshua, which ought to be translated as Joshua, but the Greeks contracted it, which means the best translation of Jesus is 'Josh'--but pronounced 'Yosh'.

  • @OiSuzy55 Why should it be frowned upon? Language is flowing, ever-evolving. Even Shakespeare invented words and usages to suit his own purpose. P.S. if you have a problem with "wanna" and "gonna" you are fighting a losing battle.

  • this video is so funny :D I guess noone cares if he pronounces pirc as pork or fianchetto as "chello" :D still, I think the official names of these are much cooler sounding :)

    

  • Ah, the Mauler Defence against the Roy Lopes. This was a favourite of former world champion Allistair "Ally" King, the inventor of Ally King's Shattered Attack against the Friend's Defence.

  • love this video a lot.

    got a lot of dislikes, the truth hurts. Good job KC, i love when you speak your mind, even when people get offended.

  • a lot of UK chess players do say fianCHetto...but they're wrong! fianchetto is an italian word and is pronounced fianKetto, the same way that one of the most famous players in italian football, Giacinto Facchetti, name is correctly pronounced faketti. fianchetto doesnt even have a direct english translation, its only in the dictionary under the chess definition. however the dictionary does acknowledge both pronunciations but this is due to common usage in britain which is incorrect!

  • Hah! Great Video. Imagine how boring it would be if we all pronounced everything the same way. We'd all still be speaking Latin and there'd be no regional dialects. Blech! Hey all you Fian-Ketto critics, how do you'all say Paris, or Munich or Louisville? Three cheers for KC!

  • Thank you so much, I lol (soooo loud!)

  • Comment removed

  • I somehow knew you'd make this video :D

    Just to make it clear, I wasn't criticizing you, I just told you how it was pronounced because I wasn't sure if you knew it.

    Who would unsubscribe if you said a word differently?

  • Anyhow, you tell em KC. It's funny 'cause they can complain all they want, but they won't unsubscribe, they need you lol. If only your videos weren't so damn interesting hehe. So, yeh, do whatever the hell you want.

  • Oh my god, KC you have so many trolls!!!

  • I don't know what to make of this. First of all, yeh, you've been playing chess probably way before I was born. I'm a spanish speaker, not an italian speaker, so I don't know if I should care much about this fianchetto thing. But I can relate this video a little bit with americans and how they don't think they should learn any other language. Maybe if you learned some italian you'd find fianketto nicer to hear. Do you speak any language that's not your own KC?

  • KC, it seems one of the disadvantages of gaining a large audience is that you also collect a number of folks who enjoy drama. I don't care how you pronounce these names as long as you continue making videos.

  • You say toMAYto I say toMAHto.... Ah let's call the whole thing off!

  • Lots of Sartre, Sidgwick and Plato in your thoughts.

  • Pirc is a name, and I think it should be pronaunced correctly. The name of the opening is " pircova odbrana"- Pirc defence, not Prk defence ..... it like saying Smilly variation, and not Smislov variation cause you like better ....

  • I think KC's sentiment is more accessible to intellect than to ridicule. Good for you KC; off with their heads!

  • This is probably what happened with the meaning of the word "irony". Alanis Morissette misused it, now 90% of people can not use it properly, UNI graduates including. A user below me misused "political correctness". So no need to take a well-meant correction as a personal attack.

    p.s. I really enjoy your videos and would like to think that they gave me wider perspective to the game of chess.

  • @OiSuzy55 The thing about language is that if 90 % of people use something in a certain way, then that is by definition the correct usage, even though that usage may have been incorrect in a different time or place. How do you think dictionaries are written? Through observation of how 90 % of people use a word.

  • @tantzer If 90% of people are wrong than they have to be right? I cannot believe you're a chess player.

  • @tantzer insertion of democracy in languages... I don't think I want to debate you anymore. What's next? If 90% of people can't tell the difference between percent and percentage point, then this two categories become a synonym?

  • @OiSuzy55 How do you think lexicographers write dictionaries? Their criterion is usage rather than etymology. Many of the English words we use today meant something very different in the past.

  • @tantzer Fianchetto is not an English word (somebody mispronounce it the sheep followed and made it a "rule"), Pirc is a surname. And English language recognizes phonemes that are in the fianchetto and Pirc.

  • I don't give a monkeys uncle how you pronounce things ,lols

  • i believe that fian-khet-o is also an incorrect english pronunciation. i'm no expert in italian but i'd imagine it originally sounded more like fiii'An khet'ttoo! and please don't get me started on the german pronunciation of zugzwang or zwischenzug. the point is: you don't need to switch languages for saying just one word

  • FianCHetto and Perk ftw .

  • Fight political correctness, pronounce things the way you want.

  • I'm with you mate, go for it!

  • Only those that set the auto tell "Thank You" disagree with this.

  • Sounds like somebody's having a bit of nervous breakdown on Youtube. But while we're on the subject can I just point out that the word "pronounciation" as you've put it in the title is actually spelt "pronunciation" and is also pronounced "pro-NUNN-seeyashon" (the NUNN part being pronounced as in the name John Nunn) and not "pro-NOUN-ceeyashon"!

  • @EIDuderinoDude Hey thats a very good point, and not something I noticed before! I have adjusted the video title.

  • This is the funniest video ever!

  • @EIDuderinoDude Yes I am still finding it quite amusing - also I didn't realise it would generate such a reaction on Youtube. Perhaps we can choose 2 or 3 new words each Sunday to go over as a new series.

  • @kingscrusher I vote for ZUGZWANG : )

  • That's why they say " A person is intelligent, people are stupid." lol

    I truly never thought about how you did say fianchetto or pirc defense. Thanks for the video, KC.

    This was quite funny!!

  • KC, pronounce the foreign words however you like. You'll be following the long tradition of the Brits mangling foreign names (Peking, Rangoon, Bombay, etc.).

  • "Oh dear, I'm haunted by bunnies disliking my videos." :)

  • :O

  • Funny discussion, since Italian is my mother tongue I can tell you the original word fianchetto comes from fianco (side) and etto (a diminutive suffix), the literal meaning being small side (the bishop is developped to the second to last column hence to the "small side") and is pronounced "fianketto".

    If this however doesn't sound good in English and many people instinctively use fiancetto then I don't see the problem, languages evolve.

  • What the heck brought this up? Who cares how you pronounce things? Sure, you get most of the Russian and German names wrong, but you are a chess player, not a language genius (I think).

  • I loved this little rant of yours

  • Btw. seems to be some requests for your favourite personal game(s).

  • @Ep1cure ....meaning games that you played.

  • Love this rant. Sometimes you've just gotta get it off your chest!

  • What's interesting about this debate is that depending on WHERE you are, one or the other are correct or wrong! Like spelling for example, depending on where/when a word can either be spelt with an "s" or a "z" with or without an "e" whichever, whatever... all, each, or either are exceptable and should not be under scrutany just because it may not fit with ones own verbage or upbringings.... unfortunate that it got to this point, people in general just need to get over it, it is no big deal!

  • Comment removed

  • I think if it comes to pronounce a name of a person (PIRC), you have to at least try to pronounce it right in some occasions (more official occasions). Anyway i don't care if Kingscrusher keeps saying something wright or wrong. I'm watching these videos because, it helps to be better at chess not to be better at pronouncing something right. Keep doing good stuff KC as You always do! Kind regards.

  • By the way.... "Please don't go about any pronounciation issues, i've been playing chess longer than most of you."

    Yes, because playing longer somehow gives you authority over how words should be said... Not your best video at all.

  • Having played chess all his life, KC knows how the chess community pronounces the words. If 90 % of people pronounce or use a word in a certain way, then by definition that's the correct pronunciation/usage, even if in some other time or place the correct usage may be different. KC is an authority on the correct pronunciation of terms within the English-speaking chess world. It doesn't matter if the Italians pronounce the word differently. That's a different context.

  • Fianchetto is actually pronounced like Fianketto in ITALIAN, where the word comes from originally. Cello is pronounced like "Chello" in itialian indeed, so using that analogy just makes you look stupid. Even in spanish (Where the usual Ch tones come from) people pronounce it as Fianketto. Stop being such a baby KC, Pronouncing it that way is ACTUALLY WRONG.

    I hadn't even thought about this nor did it bother me until I saw this pedantic clip.

  • I meant sorry, not sport. This phone likes to put its own words in.

  • Btw, I know this has nothing to do with chess, but many English speakers will go their entire lives without saying the word Paris correctly. Can someone please tell me why we will put a "ce" in the middle of Worcester or Gloucester then totally ignore it when we say the word? Sport, had to get that off my chest. Rant over. Back to chess.

  • As a person with a little understanding of the Italian language, I would like to argue with you about the word fiancetto. But to each his own. I am with you when it comes to proper pronunciation of Maroczy bind. I will just go with the phonetic form of Alekhine. I know in Evolution of Style, you tried to pronounce his name correctly, but it always sounded like you were struggling with it. Antsy, as the saying goes, I say tomato, you say tomahto.

  • Also the old "passante" became "en passant" please do not change "fianchetto" in "fiancetto"

  • KC, with all due respect, you are a great person (not to mention you're my chess guru), but the presentation of your argument here is absolutely rubbish and you're making no sense. Of course you are entitled to speak like you wish and probably few people will unsubscribe based on your whim to pronounce fianchetto wrong. This is not such a big issue--why do you get so worked up about it? And pronunciation is not a matter of popular vote but of cultural tradition, which you choose to disregard :)

  • @barsorrro It's OK to pronounce foreign words in a different manner than in the original language. This happens all the time. So, KC's pronunciations are not wrong just because in the original language the words are pronounced differently.

  • I'm not sure I get the notion of "it's OK to..." as used here. As has been pointed out already, it doesn't really matter so much how KC will choose to say--it's certainly not a crime against humanity :). Personally, I'm partial to the beauty of languages to the variety of sounds and pronunciations of human speech and I'm an eager follower to the notion of giving respect to other cultures by showing a modicum of readiness to yield to something foreign.

  • @barsorrro We do not pronounce "Jesus" as "Yeshua," which is the original spelling. The list of such transformations in language can fill volumes.

  • I mean "Yeshua" is the original pronunciation, not spelling.

  • That's not exactly the same thing. We don't pronounce "Yeshua" as "Jesus" because they are two separate words--even if they refer to the same person, or even to the same original name. It's like with many words, not to mention proper names, in history of a language: they gradually get adapted. This process was particularly intensive at the times languages lived in relative separation. Today, nations live in more proximity, so more mutual appreciation could be expected.

  • @barsorrro You can do that already in chess by playing openings which relate to particular countries - e.g. "French Defence", "Dutch defence" "English Opening" etc.

  • @kingscrusher Well, that's bringing the thing to another extreme, I'm afraid, KC :). It's just too much to ask of anybody. Let's see... I love the English and I equally favour the English Opening. I know French only a little, and such is my familiarity with the opening. I'm a little afraid of Sicilians, but never hesitate to play that defense. And I am a Pole, but -- please, don't make me adopt the Polish Opening! :)

  • @tantzer this was my argumen to.:) you put it better.

  • FianCHEto gets my vote. ;)

  • I thought this was really funny.

  • Hey if you found this video amusing which I hope you do and the discussion it causes quite fun - then please thumb up this video. We still have some sad trolls around Youtube who seem to be quite "petty" and dont have any sense of humour. If you want to give them the good old "2 fingered salute" then "Like" this video :)

  • @kingscrusher (begin sarcasm) Dear KC, I regret to inform you that you have incorrectly spelled the word "humor". I also believe you meant "1 finger salute". Further, I have not heard or read anyone else who goes on about magical "fawn pawns" like you do, and I one time heard you incorrectly pronounce the word "router". I am taking very explicit notes to forward to YouTube HQ... (end sarcasm) :D I love your videos, sir. Please pronounce things any way you please. Trolls be hanged!

  • Thanks for your vids and your comments KC, don't worry about pronounciation, no one on earth can pronounce everything right, because Names are in every languages of the world and no one can speak all languages. Do what you do, you are the best for it, people annoying you are just jealous people. Be happy.

  • I recommend the channel link in the description of this video by AnnieK for pronouncing Chess player names.

  • Why so many dislikes?

  • @TreuloseTomate I don't know - I had a good laugh doing the video and the discussion seems a lot of fun here anyway. Also I put a quality pronounciation youtube channel link in the description of the video by AnnieK for those wanting to know how pronounce chess player names.

  • You are doing a great job. I always look forward to your work each day. I've studied chess watching your videos and improved my level from 1750 to 1900+ in six months. I sometimes share your videos with Alexandra Kosteniuk and she always likes them.

  • It's pronounced fianchetto with a k- sounds. Get it right KC!

    That was a joke ;P

    I agree with the main point in the video. And it's true not only of chess jargon. One way of pronouncing some word isn't more "correct" than any other. It can just be more common, or established according some dictionary or committee. Although I don't think you need to discuss the flaws of group-thinking to establish that point. You could ask those who criticize you yo pronounce "Ruy Lopez" like a Spaniard :P

  • Hahaha, great video KC. When it comes to chess a dictatorship is the way to go :)

  • I don't know, but I think you are pronouncing fianchetto wrong...

  • But KC politics is team voting - which is why democracy is such an inherently flawed system :-)

  • Unwarranted or maybe unnecessary criticism (or cheapshots) seem to be one of the ills of social media and the internet in general. Rather than be thankful that a strong player is taking the time and effort to put together quality instruction, there are some players who seize the opportunity to show they may be able to correct someone. I suppose it helps their big ego. The biggest reason why chess in America is dying is due to the participants' egos! As a club TD I see it quite often.

  • BTW - I really don't mind how you pronounce anything, really. I thought this vid was funny, actually. In general, the three years I have been glued to this channel has improved my chess beyond measure. I can follow even some of your deeper ideas now! Sometimes I can anticipate them! I am amazed how much you taught me. But if you stray from making vids about chess, then the debate is going to stray from it too..

  • @beatroot09 Yes I was laughing quite a lot already shortly after uploading this video. I am glad you found it quite funny.

  • I've been watching your videos for awhile, and I love them.

    But if you say fianchetto one more time, so help me kingcrusher, I will strike you down where you stand.

  • @AndyMH182 Fian-chetto. "Chello" "Chetto" "Chello" "Chetto" Sounds good doesn't it?! You know it makes a lot of sense.

  • @kingscrusher i don't like the cello comparison, it's got no "h". I thought fianchetto was italian, so it would be fianchetto, not fianketto? "en prise" being french...rhymes with cheese...

    A criticism of group think is valid, but similarly, pronouncing words "incorrectly" in light of contrary evidence can also be considered ignorant. There are lots of foreign words which have english pronunciations (i always say homage with the "h", paris with the s, and call deutschland germany)

  • @mahoolahoo oops i got the italian the wrong way round, would be fianketto not fianchetto...

  • @kingscrusher anyways, what is the feminine of fianchetto, fianchetta? fiancheetah? fettucine?

  • @AndyMH182 If he says or spells "pronunciation" as "pronounciation" one more time I'll join you!

  • @EIDuderinoDude I think I will buy into that one as I am a fan of GM John Nunn. He awarded me my Lloyds Under 18 chess champion trophy in 1989.

  • @kingscrusher Out of curiosity, how old were you exactly when you won the U-18 championship?

  • @EIDuderinoDude I think I was 17 - on the border....

  • I hear Nigel Short called a lot of things (not all complimentary) but I don't hear him regularly referred to by a nickname (Shortypants?). It's only the foreigners with exotic (to the English) sounding names that get the nicknames...

  • Come on...those nicknames arose from English players to lazy to try and say the names properly.

  • @beatroot09 I thought those nicknames were globally used ?! "Chucky" is used a lot by Chessbase, etc - as with most of those nicknames.

  • @beatroot09 I gotta say you come across as a total arse mate .

  • I think the general rule would be that if words are borrowed from another language then the pronounciation is going to adapt to the new language. But, please, let's try and get living players' names right. I mean, is Hikaru Nakamura soooo difficult?

  • @beatroot09 You can just call the top 10 players by their nickname - "Naka" works here I think quite well. Or "Chucky" for Ivanchuk. Etc.

  • Everyone in the UK pronounces 'pirc' as 'perk' - it surprised me there was a different way. LOL interesting philosophical point about individuality vs group mentality. To borrow some proverbs you get 'in the multitude of councilors is wisdom' But you also get 'a narrow way that leads to life and few that find it' compared to a broad way leading to destruction that the majority are on.

    'Many hands make like work' vs 'too many cooks spoil the broth'

  • @xlinearoperator Yes it sounds weird to have "Peee - errr -- zzz" The first bit is like peeing. The Second bit is like umming and erring. And the 3rd bit is like falling asleep. These pronounciation gurus really need to keep things in context. Anyway, wer'e having a fun debate here - all good fun :)

  • haha KC! nice one .. we have the same problem in mathematics with pronunciation of theorems names there is always a little debate made by someone on how to pronounce one correctly.. but the common rule is that noone cares. I dont have a problem with it since most of the time I am unable to remember theorems names lol. Keep doing what you do, the way you choose to do it: you do it very well. cheers

  • So is it "keckmate" instead of checkmate, and "vite" for white?

  • This video is the most ridiculous thing I've witnessed on youtube!

  • @smarnold22 Have you seen any of my bullet warzones - just uploaded a new one of those!

  • I agree with you. The language belongs to the people and to the free man. Period.

    Here is another Norwegian to agree with you; watch "Kulturuke" on you tube :D

  • Not long ago I took part on chess com in a game opposing two IMs and several hundred unranked players. The IMs lost pretty convincingly. Group think can win.

  • @saintsaens21 You mean several hundred unranked players + Houdini lol?

  • @RoboPimp3000 I hardly think so. What would be the f'n point?

  • Fianketto sounds absolutely horrible and I'm glad you don't pronounce it like that. Same with peerts defence. Perk sounds so much more natural. What's so important about it anyway? We have our own ways of pronouncing words. The important thing is that people understand us which is perfectly achieved in this case.

    Keep the fianchettos and perks going. Dare to be yourself!

  • Ok, so if names are different then we have some work to do. Example: t