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Posted by Rachel V. in
4 Responses to “forte”
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I agree with all the pronunciation comments listed bar this one, ‘forte’. I would like to add to Darran’s comment, noting that the English language (certainly British English), is a flexible language, with new words being added (and deleted) constantly. Whatever the majority of people use, is exactly what is ‘correct’. If you said ‘for-TAY’ in an interview, nobody would bat an eyelid. Many words in the OED are themselves a corruption of other words, or archaic versions. Do you think we pronounce ‘spaghetti’ correctly? I think not.
This particular mispronunciation, of which I too am guilty, has become so commonplace, that I believe if someone used the correct pronunciation, they would be look at as being a dummy. Probably best not to use this word during an interview so that you don’t have to explain the correct pronunciation to your interviewer after she corrects you. Thanks for the information. I never knew.
I agree with all the pronunciation comments listed bar this one, ‘forte’. I would like to add to Darran’s comment, noting that the English language (certainly British English), is a flexible language, with new words being added (and deleted) constantly. Whatever the majority of people use, is exactly what is ‘correct’. If you said ‘for-TAY’ in an interview, nobody would bat an eyelid. Many words in the OED are themselves a corruption of other words, or archaic versions. Do you think we pronounce ‘spaghetti’ correctly? I think not.
This particular mispronunciation, of which I too am guilty, has become so commonplace, that I believe if someone used the correct pronunciation, they would be look at as being a dummy. Probably best not to use this word during an interview so that you don’t have to explain the correct pronunciation to your interviewer after she corrects you. Thanks for the information. I never knew.
Your band instructor was correct. The “forte” you see on music is the Italian word, which means “loud” and is pronounced “FOR-tay”.
I thought this word was also used in musical terms when you want musicians to play louder.My band instructor use to pronounce it as for-tay!