Post # 91
Member
506 posts
Busy bee
viridianx: That’s the point though, if it has to be it-alian because of the way it is said in the Italian language then that’s an unfair standard not put on other other language’s pronunciations of their own words. It is solely up to interpretation of your own language and how you were raised to pronounce the word.
It has nothing to do with being educated/uneducated or being degrading. Like the sk-edule shed-ule thing, who determines that one way is correct? Are 99% of americans uneducated because we pronounce the word differently based solely on how it is said where we live?
I don’t say eye-talian. My family is Italian and I have heard plenty of people in my life say eye-talian. Until today on the bee I have NOT ONCE in my life heard anyone say it was an intentionally offensive pronunciation of the word. To me that is just going way to far and people looking for ways to be offended. Growing up people trying to offend us used dago and whop not eye-talian.
Also, I feel completely ridiculous putting this much thought into the word Italian 🙂
Post # 92
Member
382 posts
Helper bee
BalletParker: See in my parts of the UK, we say IKEA, ‘Eye-Key-ah’. I remember the first time I saw their add and it was pronounced the Swedish way, I was like ‘eh? When did they change it?’ haha
Post # 93
Member
416 posts
Helper bee
acsweetpea: ha, me too. I was actually agreeing that people who are not pronouncing certain words the way native speakers do are not necessarily saying it wrong, especially if that is how it is pronounced on their country. The eye-Italian thing, I’m glad to hear is sometimes just a regional difference. In my experience, however, I have only heard it used in a derogatory way and usually as part of a statement that expresses a desire to not have Italians in their neighborhoods, schools, etc. I’m really glad to hear this is the exception.
Post # 94
Member
660 posts
Busy bee
i say it-alians
my grandmother, whose family hails from naples, says they’re from “it-ly”. makes me laugh every time. she was born in the us so i have no clue where that one comes from.
Post # 95
Member
1341 posts
Bumble bee
Fiance is italian. parents born in italy. It’s Italian. 
Post # 96
Member
2542 posts
Sugar bee
Hilarious – my Husband is “IT’alian” and it drives him nuts everytime my Step Mom says “Eye” talian. I have no idea really why anyone would ever say ‘Eye’-talian, but, po’tay’to / po’tah’to
Member