Euro 2016

France Euro 2016 squad

pronouncerLeave a comment

Here is a guide to the pronunciation of France’s Euro 2016 roster in French, followed by approximations in English in parentheses. For convenience, we stress the final syllable other than one containing an unstable e, [ə] in the English approximations, as is common practice in American English. However, as French does not have distinctive stress, it would do just as well to use stress patterns more familiar in English, like initial stress or penultimate stress. Nasalized vowels in French are indicated by a superscript n in the respelling guide for English.

  • Manager: Didier Deschamps (France) [di.dje de.ʃɑ̃, -dɛ.ʃɑ̃] (di-di-EH de-SHAHN [ˌdɪd.i.ˈeɪ̯ dɛ.ˈʃɒ̃])
  • Benoît Costil [bə.nwa kɔs.til] (bə-NWAH ko-STEEL [bə.ˈnwɑː kɒ.ˈstiːl])
  • Hugo Lloris [y.ɡo ʎɔ.ʁis, ljɔ.ʁis] (ü-GOH lyaw-REESS [ju.ˈɡoʊ̯ ljɔː.ˈɹiːs])
  • Steve Mandanda [stɛvə mɑ̃.dɑ̃.da] (STEV mahn-dahn-DAH [ˈstɛv mɒ̃.dɒ̃.ˈdɑː])
  • Lucas Digne [ly.kɑ diɲə] (lü-KAH DEEN-yə [lju.ˈkɑː ˈdiːn.jə])
  • Patrice Évra [pa.tʁisə e.vʁa] (pa(h)-TREESS ev-RAH [pɑː.ˈtɹiːs ɛ.ˈvɹɑː])
  • Christophe Jallet [kʁis.tɔfə ʒa.lɛ] (kri-STOF zha(h)-LEH [kɹɪ.ˈstɒf ʒɑː.ˈleɪ̯])
  • Laurent Koscielny [lɔ.ʁɑ̃ kɔ.sjɛl.ni] (lo-RAHN kos-yel-NEE [lɒ.ˈɹɒ̃ ˌkɒs.i‿ɛl.ˈniː])
  • Eliaquim Mangala [e.lja.kim mɑ̃.ɡa.la] (el-i-ə-KEEM mahn-ga(h)-LAH [ˌɛl.i‿ə.ˈkiːm mɒ̃.ɡɑː.ˈlɑː])
  • Adil Rami [a.dil ʁa.mi] (a(h)-DEEL ra(h)-MEE [ɑː.ˈdiːl ɹɑː.ˈmiː])
  • Bacary Sagna [ba.ka.ʁi sa.ɲa] (ba(h)-ka(h)-REE sa(h)n-YAH [ˌbɑːk.ɑː.ˈɹiː sɑːn.ˈjɑː])
  • Samuel Umtiti [sa.mɥɛl um.ti.ti] (sa(h)m-ü-EL uum-ti-TEE [ˌsɑːm.ju.ˈɛl ˌʊm.tɪ.ˈtiː])
  • Yohan Cabaye [jɔ.an ka.bajə] (yoh-A(H)N ka(h)-BY [joʊ̯.ˈɑːn kɑː.ˈbaɪ̯])
  • Kingsley Coman [kiŋs.lɛ kɔ.man, -mɑ̃] (kings-LEH koh-MA(H)N or koh-MAHN [kɪŋ.ˈsleɪ̯ koʊ̯.ˈmɑːn, -ˈmɒ̃])
  • N’Golo Kanté [ən.ɡɔ.lo kɑ̃.te] (ən-gol-OH kahn-TEH [ən.ˌɡɒ.ˈloʊ̯ kɒ̃.ˈteɪ̯, əŋ-])
  • Blaise Matuidi [blɛːzə ma.tɥi.di] (BLEHZ ma(h)-twi-DEE [ˈbleɪ̯z ˌmɑːt.wɪ.ˈdiː])
  • Dimitri Payet [di.mi.tʁri pa.jɛt] (di-mi-TREE py-ET [ˌdɪm.ɪ.ˈtɹiː paɪ̯.ˈɛt])
  • Paul Pogba [pɔl pɔɡ.ba] (PAWL pog-BAH [ˈpɔːl pɒɡ.ˈbɑː])
  • Morgan Schneiderlin [mɔʁ.ɡan ʃnɛ.dəʁ.lɛ̃, -dɛʁ.lɛ̃] (mor-GA(H)N shned-ər-LAN [mɔːɹ.ˈɡɑːn ˌʃnɛd.əɹ.ˈlæ̃])
  • Moussa Sissoko [mu.sa si.sɔ.ko] (moo-SAH si-so-KOH [muː.ˈsɑː ˌsɪs.ɒ.ˈkoʊ̯])
  • André-Pierre Gignac [ɑ̃.dʁe.pjɛːʁə ʒi.ɲak] (ahn-dreh-pi-AIR zhin-YA(H)K [ɒ̃.ˌdɹeɪ̯.pi.ˈɛə̯ɹ ʒɪn.ˈjɑːk])
  • Olivier Giroud [ɔ.li.vje ʒi.ʁu] (o-liv-i-EH zhi-ROO [ɒ.ˌlɪv.i.ˈeɪ̯ ʒɪ.ˈɹuː])
  • Antoine Griezmann [ɑ̃.twanə ɡʁi.ɛz.man] (ahn-TWAHN gree-ez-MA(H)N [ɒ̃.ˈtwɑːn ˌɡɹiː.ɛz.ˈmɑːn])
  • Anthony Martial [ɑ̃.tɔ.ni maʁ.sjal] (ahn-toh-NEE mar-si-A(H)L [ˌɒ̃.toʊ̯.ˈniː ˌmɑːɹs.i.ˈɑːl])

See previous posts on Dimitri Payet and Kingsley Coman for more on those names.

The surname Lloris which comes from Catalan contains the palatal lateral approximant [ʎ] spelled ll. While this sound is not present in standard French, it—or a close variant, the palatalized lateral approximant [lʲ]—is often used in this name by those who are able to produce it. Otherwise, it is replaced with [lj], which is probably the closest equivalent in standard French, but it is often further simplified to [l] (which may also be a spelling pronunciation) or to [j]. This is why you may also hear pronunciations like law-REESS and yaw-REESS as well as the recommended lyaw-REESS.

For the names of non-French origin, it might be more natural in English to convert the French nasalized vowels into sequences of vowels and nasal consonants as in the original language. Also, it would be more natural to restore the stress patterns of the original language. In that case, we could have pronunciations like ma(h)n-DA(H)N-də for Mandanda, ma(h)ng-GAH-lə for Mangala, KA(H)N-teh for Kanté, etc.

Following stress patterns of the original language similarly yields LYOR-iss for Lloris (Catalan), kos-YEL-nee for Koscielny (Polish Kościelny), and SHNED-ər-lan for Schneiderlin, and GREE-ez-ma(h)n for Griezmann.

In English, the Alsace-born Schneiderlin himself uses the more German-like pronunciation SHNY-dər-lin, although SHNAY-dər-lin might be closer to the Alsatian pronunciation. Griezmann, whose family is also of Alsatian origin, is often pronounced GREEZ-ma(h)n or greez-MA(H)N even by French speakers, but the player prefers [ɡʁi.ɛz.man]. The spelling ie represents a diphthong [iːə̯] in the Alsatian dialect unlike in Standard German where it is simply [iː].

 

 

Germany Euro 2016 squad

pronouncerLeave a comment

Here is a guide to the pronunciation of Germany’s Euro 2016 roster in German, followed by approximations in English in parentheses. In reality, German names are usually pronounced in English to be somewhat closer to how they would be pronounced according to English spelling conventions (e.g. Hummels as HUM-əlz [ˈhʌm.əlz] instead of HUU-məlss [ˈhʊm.əls]), and names that are shared between German and English such as Jonas and Thomas will often be pronounced as in English. A reasonable compromise might be somewhere in between, like following the approximations given below except for more peculiar features of German such as the hardening of final consonants; this would give HUU-məlz [ˈhʊm.əlz] for Hummels and LÖV [ˈlɜːv] for Löw, for example.

  • Manager: Joachim Löw (Germany) [ˈjoː.a.xɪm ˈløːf, jo.ˈa.xɪm-] (YOH-ə-k(h)im or yoh-A(H)KH-im LÖF [ˈjoʊ̯.ə.kɪm ˈlɜːf, joʊ̯.ˈɑːx.ɪm, -ˈɑːk.ɪm])
  • Bernd Leno [ˈbɛʁnt ˈleː.no] (BAIRNT LEH-noh [ˈbɛə̯ɹnt ˈleɪ̯n.oʊ̯])
  • Manuel Neuer [ˈmaː.nu̯eːl ˈnɔʏ̯.ɐ, ˈmaː.nu̯ɛl-] (MAH-nwel NOY-ər [ˈmɑːn.u‿ɛl ˈnɔɪ̯‿əɹ])
  • Marc-André ter Stegen [ˈmaʁk.an.ˈdʁeː teːɐ̯.ˈʃteː.ɡn̩, -ã.ˈdʁeː-] (MARK-on-DREH tair-SHTEH-gən [ˈmɑːɹk.ɒn.ˈdɹeɪ̯ tɛə̯ɹ.ˈʃteɪ̯ɡ.ən])
  • Jérôme Boateng [ʒe.ˈʁoːm bo.a.ˈtɛŋ] (zhe-ROHM bo-ə-TENG [ʒɛ.ˈɹoʊ̯m ˌboʊ̯.ə.ˈtɛŋ])
  • Jonas Hector [ˈjoː.nas ˈhɛk.toːɐ̯] (YOH-na(h)ss HEK-tohr [ˈjoʊ̯n.ɑːs ˈhɛk.tɔːɹ])
  • Benedikt Höwedes [ˈbeː.ne.dɪkt ˈhøː.və.dəs] (BEH-ni-dikt HÖ-və-dəss [ˈbeɪ̯n.ᵻ.dɪkt ˈhɜːv.əd.əs])
  • Mats Hummels [ˈmaʦ ˈhʊ.ml̩s] (MA(H)TS HUU-məlss [ˈmɑːts ˈhʊm.əls])
  • Joshua Kimmich [ˈjoː.zu‿a ˈkɪ.mɪç] (YOH-zoo-ə KIM-ik(h) [ˈjoʊ̯z.u‿ə ˈkɪm.ɪx, -ɪk])
  • Shkodran Mustafi [ˈʃkoː.dʁan ˈmʊs.ta.fi] (SHKOH-dra(h)n MUUST-ə-fee [ˈʃkoʊ̯.dɹɑːn ˈmʊst.əf.i])
  • Jonathan Tah [ˈjoː.na.tan ˈtaː] (YOH-nə-ta(h)n TAH [ˈjoʊ̯n.ə.tɑːn ˈtɑː])
  • Emre Can [ˈɛm.ʁə ˈʤan] (EM-reh JA(H)N [ˈɛm.ɹeɪ̯ ˈʤɑːn])
  • Julian Draxler [ju.ˈli̯aːn ˈdʁaks.lɐ] (yoo-li-AHN DRA(H)KS-lər [ˌjuːl.i.ˈɑːn ˈdɹɑːks.ləɹ])
  • Mario Götze [ˈmaː.ʁi̯o ˈɡœ.ʦə] (MAHR-i-oh GÖTS-ə [ˈmɑːɹ.i.oʊ̯ ˈɡɜːts.ə])
  • Sami Khedira [ˈsɛ.mi ke.ˈdiː.ʁa] (SAM-ee ke-DEER-ə [ˈsæm.i kɛ.ˈdɪə̯ɹ.ə])
  • Toni Kroos [ˈtoː.ni ˈkʁoːs] (TOH-nee KROHSS [ˈtoʊ̯n.i ˈkɹoʊ̯s])
  • Mesut Özil [ˈmeː.zʊt ˈøː.zɪl] (MEH-zuut Ö-zil [ˈmɛz.ʊt ˈɜːz.ɪl])
  • Leroy Sané [ˈleː.ʁɔʏ̯ za.ˈneː] (LEH-roy za(h)-NEH [ˈleɪ̯.ɹɔɪ̯ zɑː.ˈneɪ̯])
  • André Schürrle [an.ˈdʁeː ˈʃʏʁ.lə, ã.ˈdʁeː-] (on-DREH SHÜR-lə [ɒn.ˈdɹeː ˈʃʊə̯ɹl.ə])
  • Bastian Schweinsteiger [ˈbas.ti̯aːn ˈʃvaɪ̯n.ʃtaɪ̯.ɡɐ, ˈbas.ti̯an-] (BA(H)ST-i-ahn SHVYN-shty-gər [ˈbɑːst.i‿ɑːn ˈʃvaɪ̯n.ʃtaɪ̯ɡ.əɹ])
  • Julian Weigl [ju.ˈli̯aːn ˈvaɪ̯.ɡl̩] (yoo-li-AHN VY-gəl [ˌjuːl.i.ˈɑːn ˈvaɪ̯ɡ.əl])
  • Mario Gomez [ˈmaː.ʁi̯o ˈɡɔ.mɛs] (MAHR-i-oh GOH-mess [ˈmɑːɹ.i.oʊ̯ ˈɡoʊ̯m.ɛs])
  • Thomas Müller [ˈtoː.mas ˈmʏ.lɐ] (TOH-ma(h)ss MÜL-ər [ˈtoʊ̯m.ɑːs ˈmjuːl.əɹ])
  • Lukas Podolski [ˈluː.kas po.ˈdɔls.ki] (LOO-ka(h)ss poh-DOL-skee [ˈluːk.ɑːs poʊ̯.ˈdɒlsk.i])

Due to the various backgrounds of the players, some of the names come from other languages. For instance, Shkodran Mustafi is pronounced [ʃkɔ.dɾan mus.ta.fi] in Albanian, Emre Can is pronounced [ˈem.ɾe ˈʤɑn] and Mesut Özil is pronounced [ˈme.sut ˈø.zil] (MEH-suut Ö-zil) in Turkish, Leroy Sané is pronounced [lə.ʁwa sa.ne, lə.ʁwɑ] (lə-RWAH sa(h)-NEH) in French, Mario Gómez is pronounced [ˈma.ɾjo ˈɡo.meθ] (MAHR-i-oh GOH-meth) in Spanish, and Łukasz Podolski is pronounced [ˈwu.kaʂ pɔ.ˈdɔl.skʲi] (WOO-ka(h)sh po-DOL-skee) in Polish. Ter Stegen, originally a Dutch surname, is pronounced [tər.ˈsteː.ɣən, tɛr-] (tər-STEH-khə(n)) in Dutch. On the other hand, while the spelling is superficially English, Joshua Kimmich’s given name is pronounced in the German way, as if spelled Josua.

Emre Can’s surname is often pronounced [ˈʧan] (CHA(H)N) by German speakers, partly because the sound [ʤ] represented by c in Turkish spelling (the j sound in English) is not part of the native sound inventory of German and is often replaced by the tsch sound [ʧ] of German (the ch sound in English). But even German speakers who distinguish [ʤ] and [ʧ] in English loanwords might use [ʧ] for Can because they are unaware of Turkish spelling conventions.

Wales Euro 2016 squad

pronouncerLeave a comment

Here is a guide to the pronunciation of Wales’ Euro 2016 roster in English.

  • Manager: Chris Coleman (Wales) KRIS KOHL-mən [ˈkɹɪs ˈkoʊ̯l.mən]
  • Owain Fôn Williams OH-yne VAWN-WIL-yəmz [ˈoʊ̯.aɪ̯n ˈvɔːn.ˈwɪl.jəmz]
  • Wayne Hennessey WAYN HEN-i-see [ˈweɪ̯n ˈhɛn.ᵻs.i]
  • Danny Ward DAN-ee WAWRD [ˈdæn.i ˈwɔːɹd]
  • James Chester JAYMZ CHEST-ər [ˈʤeɪ̯mz ˈʧɛst.əɹ]
  • James Collins JAYMZ COL-inz [ˈʤeɪ̯mz ˈkɒl.ᵻnz]
  • Ben Davies BEN DAY-vis [ˈbɛn ˈdeɪ̯v.ᵻs]
  • Chris Gunter KRIS GUN-tər [ˈkɹɪs ˈɡʌnt.əɹ]
  • Jazz Richards JAZ RICH-ərdz [ˈʤæz ˈɹɪʧ.əɹdz]
  • Neil Taylor NEEL TAY-lər [ˈniːl ˈteɪ̯l.əɹ]
  • Ashley Williams ASH-lee WIL-yəmz [ˈæʃ.li ˈwɪl.jəmz]
  • Joe Allen JOH AL-in [ˈʤoʊ̯ ˈæl.ᵻn]
  • David Edwards DAY-vid ED-wərdz [ˈdeɪ̯v.ᵻd ˈɛd.wəɹdz]
  • Andy King AN-dee KING [ˈænd.i ˈkɪŋ]
  • Joe Ledley JOH LED-lee [ˈʤoʊ̯ ˈlɛd.li]
  • Aaron Ramsey AIR-ən RAM-zee [ˈɛə̯ɹ.ən ˈɹæm.zi]
  • David Vaughan DAY-vid VAWN [ˈdeɪ̯v.ᵻd ˈvɔːn]
  • Jonathan Williams JON-ə-thən WIL-yəmz [ˈʤɒn.əθ.ən ˈwɪl.jəmz]
  • Gareth Bale GARR-ith or GARR-eth BAYL [ˈgæɹ.ᵻθ ˈbeɪ̯l, -ɛθ-]
  • Simon Church SY-mən CHURCH [ˈsaɪ̯m.ən ˈʧɜːɹʧ]
  • David Cotterill DAY-vid KOT-ə-ril [ˈdeɪ̯v.ᵻd ˈkɒt‿əɹ.ᵻl]
  • Hal Robson-Kanu HAL ROB-sən-KAH-noo [ˈhæl ˈɹɒb.sən.ˈkɑːn.u]
  • Sam Vokes SAM VOHKS [ˈsæm ˈvoʊ̯ks]
  • George Williams JORJ WIL-yəmz [ˈʤɔːɹʤ ˈwɪl.jəmz]

The pronunciation of Owain and Fôn in the Welsh language are [ˈə.waɪ̯n, ˈo-] and [ˈvoːn] respectively—the English pronunciations given above are approximations of these. In addition, the Welsh pronunciation of Gareth is [ˈga.rɛθ], although it is a common name in English in its own right with its established pronunciation in English, given above.

Belgium Euro 2016 squad

pronouncer2 Comments

Here is a guide to the pronunciation of Belgium’s Euro 2016 roster in Dutch or French, the two main official languages in Belgium, based on what seems more appropriate according to what is known about the player’s language background, followed by suggested approximations in English in parentheses. For some names, pronunciations in both languages are given (e.g. when the surname comes from the other major language, or when it is neither Dutch or French in origin but the player speaks both languages).

  • Manager: Marc Wilmots (Belgium) French pronunciation: [maʁk wil.mɔts], Dutch pronunciation: [ˈmɑrək ˈʋɪl.mɔts] (MARK WIL-mots [ˈmɑːɹk ˈwɪl.mɒts])
  • Thibaut Courtois Dutch pronunciation: [ti.ˈboː kur.ˈtwaː], French pronunciation: [ti.bo kuʁ.twa] (tee-BOH koor-TWAH [tiː.ˈboʊ̯ kʊə̯ɹ.ˈtwɑː])
  • Jean-François Gillet French pronunciation: [ʒɑ̃.fʁɑ̃.swa ʒi.lɛ], (ZHAHN-frahn-SWAH zhi-LEH [ˌʒɒ̃.fɹɒ̃.ˈswɑː ʒɪˈ.leɪ̯])
  • Simon Mignolet Dutch pronunciation: [ˈsiː.mɔn mi.ɲo.ˈlɛː], French pronunciation: [si.mɔ̃ mi.ɲɔ.lɛ] (SEE-mon min-yoh-LEH [ˈsiː.mɒn ˌmɪn.joʊ̯.ˈleɪ̯])
  • Toby Alderweireld Dutch pronunciation: [ˈtoː.bi ˈɑl.dər.ʋɛi̯.rəlt] (TOH-bee A(H)L-dər-wair-əlt [ˈtoʊ̯.bi ˈɑːld.əɹ.wɛə̯ɹ.əlt])
  • Laurent Ciman French pronunciation: [lɔ.ʁɑ̃ si.mɑ̃, lo-] (lo-RAHN si-MAHN [lɒ.ˈɹɒ̃ sɪ.ˈmɒ̃]
  • Jason Denayer French pronunciation: [dʒe.zən də.na.jœːʁ, -nɛ.jœːʁ], Dutch pronunciation: [ˈdʒeː.sən də.ˈnɑ.jər] (JAY-sən də-NY-ər or də-NAY-ər [ˈʤeɪ̯s.ən də.ˈnaɪ̯.əɹ, -ˈneɪ̯‿əɹ])
  • Christian Kabasele French pronunciation: [kʁis.tjɑ̃ ka.ba.se.le] (krist-YAHN ka(h)-bə-SEL-eh [ˌkɹɪst.i‿ˈɒ̃ ˌkɑːb.ə.ˈsɛl.eɪ̯])
  • Jordan Lukaku Dutch pronunciation: [ˈʒɔr.dɑn lu.ˈkaː.ku], French pronunciation: [ʒɔʁ.dan lu.ka.ku] (ZHOR-da(h)n loo-KAH-koo [ˈʒɔːɹd.ɑːn lu.ˈkɑːk.u])
  • Thomas Meunier French pronunciation: [tɔ.mɑ mø.nje] (to-MAH mön-YEH [tɒ.ˈmɑː ˌmɜːn.i‿ˈeɪ̯])
  • Thomas Vermaelen Dutch pronunciation: [ˈtoː.mɑs vər.ˈmaː.lən → ˈtoː.mɑs.fər.ˈmaː.lən] (TOH-ma(h)ss vər-MAHL-ən [ˈtoʊ̯m.ɑːs vəɹ.ˈmɑːl.ən])
  • Jan Vertonghen Dutch pronunciation: [ˈjɑn vər.ˈtɔŋ.ən] (YA(H)N vər-TONG-ən [ˈjɑːn vəɹ.ˈtɒŋ.ən])
  • Yannick Carrasco Dutch pronunciation: [jɑ.ˈnɪk kɑ.ˈrɑs.ko], French pronunciation: [ja.nik ka.ʁas.ko] (ya(h)-NIK kə-RA(H)S-koh [jɑː.ˈnɪk kə.ˈɹɑːsk.oʊ̯])
  • Kevin De Bruyne Dutch pronunciation: [ˈkɛ.vɪn də.ˈbrœy̯.nə] (KEV-in də-BRÖYN-ə [ˈkɛv.ᵻn də.ˈbɹɔɪ̯n.ə])
  • Mousa Dembélé Dutch pronunciation: [ˈmuː.sa dɛm.ˈbeː.le] (MOO-sə dem-BEL-eh [ˈmuːs.ə dɛm.ˈbɛl.eɪ̯])
  • Marouane Fellaini French pronunciation: [ma.ʁwan fɛ.laj.ni], Dutch pronunciation: [ˈmɑ.ru.wɑn fɛ.ˈlɑj.ni] (MAR-wa(h)n fe-LY-nee [ˈmɑːɹ.wɑːn fɛ.ˈlaɪ̯n.i])
  • Eden Hazard French pronunciation: [e.dɛn a.zaːʁ] (ED-ən a(h)-ZAR [ˈɛd.ən ɑː.ˈzɑːɹ])
  • Radja Nainggolan Dutch pronunciation: [ˈrɑ.dʒa ˈnɑjŋ.ɡɔ.lɑn] (RA(H)-jə NYNG-go-la(h)n [ˈɹɑːʤ.ə ˈnaɪ̯ŋ.ɡɒ.lɑːn])
  • Axel Witsel French pronunciation: [ak.sɛl wit.sɛl] (ak-SEL wi-TSEL [æk.ˈsɛl wɪt.ˈsɛl])
  • Michy Batshuayi French pronunciation: [mit.ʃi bat.ʃu.a.ji] (MITCH-ee ba(h)t-shoo-EYE-ee [ˈmɪʧ.i ˌbɑːt.ʃu.ˈaɪ̯.i])
  • Christian Benteke French pronunciation: [kʁis.tjɑ̃ bɛn.te.ke] (krist-YAHN ben-TEK-eh [ˌkɹɪst.i‿ˈɒ̃ bɛn.ˈtɛk.eɪ̯])
  • Romelu Lukaku Dutch pronunciation: [ˈroː.me.lu lu.ˈkaː.ku], French pronunciation: [ʁɔ.me.lu lu.ka.ku] (ROH-mel-oo loo-KAH-koo [ˈɹoʊ̯m.ɛl.u lu.ˈkɑːk.u])
  • Dries Mertens Dutch pronunciation: [ˈdris ˈmɛr.təns] (DREESS MAIR-tənss [ˈdɹiːs ˈmɛə̯ɹ.təns])
  • Divock Origi Dutch pronunciation: [ˈdi.vɔk o.ˈri.ɡi] (DEE-vok o-REE-ghee [ˈdiːv.ɒk ɒ.ˈɹiːɡ.i])

Many of these names are not of Dutch or French origin due to the various backgrounds of the players. For instance, the Lukaku brothers and Michy Batshuayi were born to parents from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is also the birthplace of Christian Benteke and Christian Kabasele. Marouane Fellaini has Moroccan parents and Divock Origi has Kenyan parents. Yannick Carrasco has a Portuguese father, Mousa Dembélé has a Malian father, and Radja Nainggolan has an Indonesian father. To a limited extent, the origin of these names have been taken into account in recommending the appropriate pronunciations in English, notably in giving penultimate stress for names like Batshuayi and Benteke.

Jason Denayer is a French speaker, but has an English given name and a Dutch surname. While the traditional French pronunciation of Jason is [ʒɑ.zɔ̃], the English pronunciation JAY-sən [ˈʤeɪ̯s.ən] is imitated in both French and Dutch; for Denayer, də-NY-ər [də.ˈnaɪ̯‿əɹ] approximates the Dutch pronunciation as well as one of the possible pronunciations in French, while də-NAY-ər [də.ˈneɪ̯.əɹ] approximates the other French pronunciation which is widely heard in the media.

Italy Euro 2016 squad

pronouncerLeave a comment

Here is a guide to the native pronunciation of Italy’s Euro 2016 roster, followed by suggested approximations in English in parentheses.

  • Manager: Antonio Conte (Italy) [an.ˈtɔː.njo ˈkon.te] (a(h)n-TOH-ni-oh KON-teh [ɑːn.ˈtoʊ̯n.i‿oʊ̯ ˈkɒn.teɪ̯])
  • Gianluigi Buffon [ʤan.lu.ˈiː.ʤi buf.ˈfɔn, -ˈfon] (ja(h)n-loo-EE-jee buu-FON [ˌʤɑːn.lu‿ˈiːʤ.i bʊ.ˈfɒn])
  • Federico Marchetti [fe.de.ˈriː.ko mar.ˈket.ti] (fed-ə-REE-koh mar-KET-ee [ˌfɛd.ə.ˈɹiːk.oʊ̯ mɑːɹ.ˈkɛt.i])
  • Salvatore Sirigu [sal.va.ˈtoː.re ˈsiː.ri.ɡu] (sa(h)l-və-TOR-eh SEER-i-goo [ˌsɑːlv.ə.ˈtɔːɹ.eɪ̯ ˈsɪə̯ɹ.ɪɡ.u])
  • Andrea Barzagli [an.ˈdrɛˑ‿a bar.ˈʦaʎ.ʎi, -ˈʣaʎ-] (a(h)n-DREH-ə bar-TSA(H)-lee [ɑːn.ˈdɹeɪ̯‿ə bɑːɹ.ˈtsɑːl.i])
  • Leonardo Bonucci [le‿o.ˈnar.do bo.ˈnut.ʧi] (leh-oh-NAR-doh bo-NOO-chee [ˌleɪ̯‿oʊ̯.ˈnɑːɹd.oʊ̯ bɒ.ˈnuːʧ.i])
  • Giorgio Chiellini [ˈʤɔr.ʤo kjel.ˈliː.ni, ˈʤor-] (JOR-joh kee-el-LEE-nee [ˈʤɔːɹʤ.oʊ̯ ˌkiː‿ɛ.ˈliːn.i])
  • Matteo Darmian [mat.ˈtɛˑ‿o dar.ˈmjan] (mə-TEH-oh dar-mi-A(H)N [mə.ˈteɪ̯‿oʊ̯ ˌdɑːɹm.i‿ˈɑːn])
  • Mattia De Sciglio [mat.ˈtiˑ‿a deʃ.ˈʃiʎ.ʎo] (mə-TEE-ə deh-SHILL-i-oh [mə.ˈtiː‿ə deɪ̯.ˈʃɪl.i‿oʊ̯])
  • Angelo Ogbonna [ˈan.ʤe.lo oɡ.ˈbɔn.na] (A(H)N-je-lo og-BONN-ə [ˈɑːnʤ.ᵻ.loʊ̯ ɒɡ.ˈbɒn.ə])
  • Federico Bernardeschi [fe.de.ˈriː.ko ber.na.ˈdes.ki] (fed-ə-REE-koh bair-nar-DESK-ee [ˌfɛd.ə.ˈɹiːk.oʊ̯ ˌbɛə̯ɹn.ɑːɹ.ˈdɛsk.i])
  • Antonio Candreva [an.ˈtɔː.njo kan.ˈdrɛː.va] (a(h)n-TOH-ni-oh ka(h)n-DREH-və [ɑːn.ˈtoʊ̯n.i‿oʊ̯ kɑːn.ˈdɹeɪ̯v.ə])
  • Daniele De Rossi [da.ˈnjɛː.le de.ˈros.si] (da(h)-ni-EL-eh deh-ROSS-ee [ˌdɑːn.i‿ˈɛl.eɪ̯ deɪ̯.ˈɹɒs.i])
  • Alessandro Florenzi [a.les.ˈsan.dro flo.ˈrɛn.ʦi] (a(h)-le-SAHN-droh flo-RENTS-ee [ˌɑːl.ᵻ.ˈsɑːndɹ.oʊ̯ flɔː.ˈɹɛnts.i])
  • Emanuele Giaccherini [e.ma.nu‿ˈɛː.le ʤak.ke.ˈriː.ni] (em-a-NWEL-eh ja(h)k-e-REE-nee [ˌɛm.ə.ˈnwɛl.eɪ̯ ˌˈʤɑːk.ᵻ.ˈɹiːn.i])
  • Thiago Motta [ˈtjaː.ɡo ˈmɔt.ta] (tee-AH-go MOT-ə [ti.ˈɑːɡoʊ̯ ˈmɒt.ə])
  • Marco Parolo [ˈmar.ko pa.ˈrɔː.lo] (MARK-oh pə-ROH-lo [ˈmɑːɹk.oʊ̯ pə.ˈɹoʊ̯l.oʊ̯])
  • Stefano Sturaro [ˈsteː.fa.no stu.ˈraː.ro] (STEF-ə-no stoo-RAR-oh [ˈstɛf.ən.oʊ̯ stʊ.ˈɹɑːɹ.oʊ̯])
  • Éder [ˈɛː.der] (ED-air [ˈɛd.ɛə̯ɹ])
  • Stephan El Shaarawy [ˈsteː.fan el.ˈʃaː.ra.wi] (STEF-a(h)n el-SHAR-ə-wee [ˈstɛf.ɑːn ˌɛl.ˈʃɑːɹ.ə.wi])
  • Ciro Immobile [ˈʧiː.ro im.ˈmɔː.bi.le] (CHEER-oh im-MOH-bil-eh [ˈʧɪə̯ɹ.oʊ̯ ɪ.ˈmoʊ̯b.ᵻl.eɪ̯])
  • Lorenzo Insigne [lo.ˈrɛn.ʦo in.ˈsiɲ.ɲe] (loh-RENTS-oh in-SIN-yeh [loʊ̯.ˈɹɛnts.oʊ̯ ɪn.ˈsɪn.jeɪ̯])
  • Graziano Pellè [ɡrat.ˈʦjaː.no pel.ˈlɛ] (gra(h)-tsee-AH-no pel-LEH [ˌɡɹɑːts.i.ˈɑːn.oʊ̯ pɛ.ˈleɪ̯])
  • Simone Zaza [si.ˈmoː.ne ˈʣad.ʣa → si.ˈmoː.ned.ˈʣad.ʣa] (si-MOH-neh DZA(H)-dzah [sᵻ.ˈmoʊ̯n.eɪ̯ ˈdzɑːdz.ɑː])

Thiago Motta and Éder were born in Brazil. Their names are pronounced in Brazilian Portuguese as [ˈʧja.ɡu ˈmɔ.tɐ] (chee-AH-goo MOT-ə) and [ˈɛ.dɛʁ] (ED-air) respectively.

Iceland Euro 2016 squad

pronouncerLeave a comment

Here is a guide to the native pronunciation of Iceland’s Euro 2016 roster, followed by suggested approximations in English in parentheses. The names are given in the Icelandic spelling; in the international media, the names may be respelled with ð becoming d, þ becoming th, and accents being dropped, e.g. Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson may appear as Gylfi Thor Sigurdsson.

Icelandic pronunciation features a number of surprises even for those familiar with other North Germanic languages such as Norwegian. Unexpected vowel pronunciations include á [au̯] (similar to English MOUTH) and au [œi̯] (similar to French feuille). Most instances of ll and nn are pronounced [tl] and [tn] respectively, which are devoiced to [tl̥] and [tn̥] in certain positions. But in some cases such as in names, they are simply pronounced as long l and n sounds respectively.

In the English respelling, dh represents /ð/, the voiced th sound in ‘this’; uu represents /ʊ/, the short vowel of FOOT; ow always represents the vowel in now, not that of show. The sound written ö is similar to the vowel [œ] in French neuf and German können, [ø] in French feu, or [øː] in German schön. Some English speakers who can produce these sounds may use them, and others have a number of options—the non-rhotic (typically British) er sound  [ɜː] (the NURSE vowel), the STRUT vowel [ʌ], the DRESS vowel [ɛ], or the FACE vowel [eɪ̯]. The diphthong written öy below (corresponding to Icelandic au [œi̯]) could be approximated with either the CHOICE vowel [ɔɪ̯] or the FACE vowel [eɪ̯].

  • Co-Managers: Lars Lagerbäck (Sweden) Swedish pronunciation: [ˈlɑːʂ ²lɑː.gər.ˌbɛk] (LARSS LAHG-ər-bek [ˈlɑːɹs ˈlɑːg.əɹ.bɛk]), Heimir Hallgrímsson (Iceland) [ˈhei̯.mɪr̥ ˈhatl̥.krim.sɔn] (HAYM-eer HA(H)T(L)-grim-sonn [ˈheɪ̯m.ɪɹ ˈhɑːt‿l.gɹɪmp.sɒn])
  • Hannes Þór Halldórsson [ˈhan.nɛs ˈθou̯r̥ ˈhatl̥.tou̯r̥.sɔn] (HA(H)N-nəs THOR HA(H)T(L)-dor-sonn [ˈhɑːn.nəs ˈθɔːɹ ˈhɑːt‿l.dɔːɹ.sɒn])
  • Ingvar Jónsson [ˈiŋ.kvar̥ ˈjou̯n̥.sɔn] (ING-gvar YOHN-sonn [ˈɪŋ.gvɑːɹ ˈjoʊ̯n.sɒn])
  • Ögmundur Kristinsson [ˈœk.mʏn.tʏr̥ ˈkʰr̥ɪ.stɪn̥.sɔn] (ÖG-muund-oor KRIST-in-sonn [ˈɛg.mʊnd.ʊə̯ɹ ˈkɹɪst.ɨn.sɒn])
  • Theódór Elmar Bjarnason [ˈtʰɛ‿ou̯.tou̯r̥ ˈɛl.mar̥ ˈpjart.na.sɔn] (TEH-oh-dor EL-mar BYARD-nə-sonn [ˈteɪ̯.oʊ̯.dɔːɹ ˈɛl.mɑːɹ ˈbjɑːɹd.nə.sɒn])
  • Haukur Heiðar Hauksson [ˈhœi̯.kʰʏr̥ ˈhei̯.ðar̥ ˈhœi̯xsɔn] (HÖY-koor HEY-dhar HÖYK-sonn [ˈhɔɪ̯k.ʊə̯ɹ ˈheɪ̯ð.ɑːɹ ˈhɔɪ̯ks.ɒn])
  • Hjörtur Hermannsson [ˈçœr̥.tʏr̥ ˈhɛr.man.sɔn] (HYÖR-toor HAIR-man-sonn [ˈhjɜːɹt.ʊə̯ɹ ˈhɛə̯ɹ.mən.sɒn])
  • Sverrir Ingi Ingason [ˈsvɛr.rɪr̥ ˈiŋ.kɪ ˈiŋ.ka.sɔn] (SVERR-eer ING-gee ING-gə-sonn [ˈsvɛɹ.ɪə̯ɹ ˈɪŋ.giˈɪŋ.gə.sɒn])
  • Hörður Björgvin Magnússon [ˈhœr.ðʏr̥ ˈpjœrk.vɪn ˈma.knu.sɔn] (HÖR-dhoor BYÖRG-vin MA(H)G-nuu-sonn [ˈhɜːɹð.ʊə̯ɹ ˈbjɜːɹg.vɪn ˈmɑːg.nʊ.sɒn])
  • Birkir Már Sævarsson [ˈpɪr̥.cɪr̥ ˈmau̯r̥ ˈsai̯.var̥.sɔn] (BEER-keer MOW-r SYE-var-son [ˈbɪə̯ɹ.kɪə̯ɹ ˈmaʊ̯‿əɹ ˈsaɪ̯v.ɑːɹ.sɒn])
  • Ragnar Sigurðsson [ˈra.knar̥ ˈsɪ.ɣʏr̥θ.sɔn] (RA(H)G-nar SIG-oordh-sonn [ˈɹɑːg.nɑːɹ ˈsɪg.ʊə̯ɹð.sɒn])
  • Ari Freyr Skúlason [ˈa.rɪ ˈfr̥ei̯r̥ ˈsku.la.sɔn] (AR-ee FREY-r SKOO-lə-sonn [ˈɑːɹ.i ˈfɹeɪ̯‿əɹ ˈskuːl.ə.sɒn])
  • Arnór Ingvi Traustason [ˈar̥t.nou̯r̥ ˈiŋ.kvɪ ˈtʰr̥œi̯.sta.sɔn] (ARD-nor ING-gvee TRÖY-stə-sonn [ˈɑːɹd.nɔːɹ ˈɪŋ.gvi ˈtɹɔɪ̯st.ə.sɒn])
  • Kári Árnason [ˈkʰau̯.rɪ ˈau̯rt.na.sɔn] (COW-ri OWD-na-son [ˈkaʊ̯.ɹi ˈaʊ̯d.nə.sɒn])
  • Birkir Bjarnason [ˈpɪr̥.cɪr̥ ˈpjart.na.sɔn] (BEER-keer BYARD-na-sonn [ˈbɪə̯ɹ.kɪə̯ɹ ˈbjɑːɹd.nə.sɒn])
  • Aron Einar Gunnarsson [ˈa.rɔn ˈei̯.nar̥ ˈkʏn.nar̥.sɔn] (AR-on EY-nar GUUN-nar-sonn [ˈɑːɹ.ɒn ˈeɪ̯n.ɑːɹ bɪə̯ɹ.kɪə̯ɹ ˈgʊn.ɑːɹ.sɒn])
  • Emil Hallfreðsson [ˈɛ.mɪl̥ ˈhatl̥.fr̥ɛθ.sɔn] (EM-il HA(H)T(L)-fredh-sonn [ˈɛm.ɪl ˈhɑːt‿l.fɹɛð.sɒn])
  • Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson [ˈcɪl.vɪ ˈθou̯r̥ ˈsɪ.ɣʏr̥θ.sɔn] (GIL-vee THOR SIG-oordh-sonn [ˈgɪl.vi ˈθɔːɹ ˈsɪg.ʊə̯ɹð.sɒn])
  • Rúnar Már Sigurjónsson [ˈru.nar̥ ˈmau̯r̥ ˈsɪ.ɣʏr.jou̯n.sɔn] (ROO-nar MOW-r SIG-oor-yohn-sonn [ˈɹu:n.ɑːɹ ˈmaʊ̯‿əɹ ˈsɪg.ʊə̯ɹ.ˌjoʊ̯nt.sɒn])
  • Jón Daði Bödvarsson [ˈjou̯n ˈta.ðɪ ˈpœ.tvar̥.sɔn] (YOHN DA(H)DH-ee BÖD-var-sonn [ˈjoʊ̯n ˈdɑːð.i ˈbɛd.vɑːɹ.sɒn])
  • Alfreð Finnbogason [ˈal.fr̥ɛθ ˈfɪn.pɔ.ɣa.sɔn] (A(H)L-fredh FIN-boh-gə-sonn [ˈɑːl.fɹɛð ˈfɪn.boʊ̯g.ə.sɒn])
  • Eiður Smári Guðjohnsen [ˈei̯.ðʏr̥ ˈsmau̯.rɪ ˈkvʏð.jɔn̥.sɛn] (EY-dhoor SMOW-ree GVUUDH-yon-sen [ˈeɪ̯ð.ʊə̯ɹ ˈsmaʊ̯.ɹi ˈgvʊð.jɒnt.sɛn])
  • Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson [ˈjou̯.han ˈpɛr̥k ˈkvʏð.mʏn̥.sɔn] (YOH-ha(h)n BAIRG GVUUDH-muun-sonn [ˈjoʊ̯.hɑːn ˈbɛə̯ɹg ˈgvʊð.mʊnt.sɒn])
  • Kolbeinn Sigþórsson [ˈkʰɔl.pei̯tn̥ ˈsɪx.θou̯r̥.sɔn] (KOL-beyt(n) SIG-thor-sonn [ˈkɒl.bei̯t‿n ˈsɪg.θɔːɹ.sɒn])

Note that most of these use patronyms, as is the custom in Iceland. Gylfi Sigurðsson is so called because he is the son of Sigurður; his children would in turn be called Gylfason in the case of a son and Gylfadóttir in the case of a daughter. Icelanders usually refer to each other by their given names.

One exception to this above is Guðjohnsen, which is a surname. Eiður Guðjohnsen’s father is also a former footballer and is called Arnór Guðjohnsen—Guðjohnsen actually is a family name.

Hungary Euro 2016 squad

pronouncerLeave a comment

The Hungarian names below are given in the usual Western order of the given name followed by the surname, but the Hungarian order would be the reverse. For instance, the player referred to as Gábor Király in the Western media would be called Király Gábor in Hungarian. The Hungarian pronunciations for the players’ names and the German pronunciation for the manager’s name are given. Suggested approximations in English are given in parentheses.

  • Manager: Bernd Storck (Germany) German pronunciation: [ˈbɛʁnt ˈʃtɔʁk] (BAIRNT SHTORK [ˈbɛə̯ɹntˈʃtɔːɹk])
  • Dénes Dibusz [ˈdeː.nɛʃ ˈdi.bus] (DEH-nesh DIB-oos [ˈdeɪ̯n.ɛʃ ˈdɪb.ʊs])
  • Péter Gulácsi [ˈpeː.tɛr ˈɡu.laː.ʧi] (PEH-er GOO-lah-chee [ˈpeɪ̯t.əɹ ˈɡuːl.ɑːʧ.i])
  • Gábor Király [ˈɡaː.bor ˈki.raːj] (GAH-bor KI-rye [ˈɡɑːb.ɔːɹ ˈkɪəɹ.aɪ̯])
  • Barnabás Bese [ˈbɒr.nɒ.baʃ ˈbɛ.ʃɛ] (BARN-a-bahsh BESH-eh [ˈbɑːɹn.ə.bɑːʃ ˈbɛʃ.eɪ̯])
  • Attila Fiola [ˈɒt.ti.lɒ ˈfi.o.lɒ] (OT-i-la FI-o-la [ˈɑt.ɪl.ə ˈfiː‿oʊ̯l.ə])
  • Richárd Guzmics [ˈri.haːrd ˈɡuz.miʧ] (RIH-hard GOOZ-mitch [ˈɹɪ.hɑːɹd ˈɡʊz.mɪʧ])
  • Roland Juhász [ˈro.lɒnd ˈju.haːs] (RO-land YOO-hahss [ˈɹoʊ̯l.ənd ˈjuː.hɑːs])
  • Tamás Kádár [ˈtɒ.maːʃ ˈkaː.daːr] (TOM-ahsh KAH-dahr [ˈtɒm.aːʃ ˈkɑːd.ɑːɹ])
  • Mihály Korhut [ˈmi.haːj ˈkor.hut] (MIH-high KOR-hoot [ˈmɪ.haɪ̯ ˈkɔːɹ.hʊt])
  • Ádám Lang [ˈaː.daːm ˈlɒŋɡ] (AH-dahm LONG [ˈɑːd.ɑːm ˈlɒŋ])
  • Ádám Pintér [ˈaː.daːm ˈpin.teːr] (AH-dahm PIN-tair [ˈɑːd.ɑːm ˈpɪn.tɛə̯ɹ])
  • Ákos Elek [ˈaː.koʃ ˈɛ.lɛk] (AH-kosh EL-ek [ˈɑːk.oʊ̯ʃ ˈɛl.ɛk])
  • László Kleinheisler [ˈlaː.sloː ˈklɛjn.hɛjʃ.lɛr] (LAHSS-loh KLAYN-haysh-ler [ˈlɑːs.loʊ̯ ˈkleɪ̯n.heɪ̯ʃ.ləɹ])
  • Gergő Lovrencsics [ˈɡɛr.ɡøː ˈlov.rɛn.ʧiʧ] (GAIR-gö LOHV-rench-itch [ˈɡɛə̯ɹ.ɡoʊ̯ ˈloʊ̯v.rɛnʧ.ɪʧ])
  • Ádám Nagy [ˈaː.daːm ˈnɒɟ] (AH-dahm NODGE [ˈɑːd.ɑːm ˈnɒʤ])
  • Zoltán Stieber [ˈzol.taːn ˈʃtiː.bɛr] (ZOHL-tahn SHTEE-ber [ˈzoʊ̯l.tɑːn ˈʃtiːb.əɹ])
  • Dániel Böde [ˈdaː.ni.ɛl ˈbø.dɛ] (DAH-ni-el BÖD-deh [ˈdɑːn.i‿ɛl ˈbɜːd.eɪ̯])
  • Balázs Dzsudzsák [ˈbɒ.laːʒ ˈʤu.ʤaːk] (BOL-ahzh JOO-jahk [ˈbɒl.ɑːʒ ˈʤuː.ʤɑːk])
  • Zoltán Gera [ˈzol.taːn ˈɡɛ.rɒ] (ZOHL-tahn GAIR-a [ˈzoʊ̯l.tɑːn ˈɡɛɹ.ə])
  • Krisztián Németh [ˈkris.ti.aːn ˈneː.mɛt] (KRIS-tee-ahn NEH-met [ˈkɹɪst.i‿ɑːn ˈneɪ̯m.ɛt])
  • Nemanja Nikolić [ˈnɛ.ma.ɲa ˈni.ko.liʧ] (NEM-an-yah NICK-o-litch [ˈnɛm.ən.jɑː ˈnɪk.oʊ̯.lɪʧ])
  • Tamás Priskin [ˈtɒ.maːʃ ˈpriʃ.kin] (TOM-ahs PRISH-kin [ˈtɒm.ɑːʃ ˈpɹɪʃ.kɪn])
  • Ádám Szalai [ˈaː.daːm ˈsɒ.lɒj] (AH-dahm SOL-lie [ˈɑːd.ɑːm ˈsɒl.aɪ̯])

Kleinheisler and Stieber are names from German. Stieber, which is pronounced [ˈʃtiː.bɐ] in German (SHTEE-ber), therefore departs from the usual Hungarian pronunciation rules and is pronounced as if written Stíber in Hungarian. Many Hungarians similarly pronounce [ˈklɛjn.hɛjz.lɛr] (KLAYN-hayz-ler) for Kleinheisler, which is closer to the German [ˈklaɪ̯n.haɪ̯s.lɐ]. However, it seems that the player’s own preferred pronunciation is actually [ˈklɛjn.hɛjʃ.lɛr] (KLAYN-haysh-ler), where the letter s gets its usual value in Hungarian of [ʃ], the sh sound in English.

Nemanja Nikolić was born in Serbia but chose to represent Hungary. His full name is Serbian and is written Немања Николић in Serbian Cyrillic (Serbian can be written in either of the Cyrillic or Latin alphabets, but Cyrillic is more usual). In Serbian, the name is pronounced [ˈně.ma.ɲa ˈnǐ.ko.liʨ], and the Hungarian pronunciation given above is a close approximation of that using the sounds in Hungarian, including the marginal sound [a], the shortened version of á [aː]. The usual Hungarian short a [ɒ] is pronounced like the British English short o and not really like a short counterpart to á.

In Hungarian-language media, the name Nikolić is often given the Hungarian spelling Nikolics. More established Hungarian surnames of Slavic origin are written in Hungarian-style spellings, such as Guzmics and Lovrencsics which would be written Guzmić and Lovrenčić respectively in Serbian-style spelling.

 

Portugal Euro 2016 squad

pronouncerLeave a comment

The Portuguese pronunciation given here is that of typical European Portuguese. English approximations of these are given in parentheses for illustrative purposes—in reality, Portuguese names are most often pronounced in English in accordance with the usual English spelling-to-sound rules, and it would probably not be advisable to imitate the Portuguese pronunciation too closely when saying these names within an English-speaking audience.

Contemporary European Portuguese pronunciation tends to elide unstressed vowels much more than is indicated below. For example, Ricardo [ʁi.ˈkaɾ.ðu] comes out more like [ʁi.ˈkaɾðʷ] in current everyday pronunciation, as if it were ‘Ricard’; Soares [ˈswa.ɾɨʃ] becomes [ˈswaɾʃ], as if it were ‘Soars’. Since final unstressed -e [ɨ] is usually dropped, it is treated as such in the English approximations below.

  • Manager: Fernando Santos (Portugal) [fɨɾ.ˈnɐ̃n.du ˈsɐ̃n.tuʃ] (fər-NAHN-doo SAHN-tuush [fəɹ.ˈnɑːnd.u ˈsɑːnt.ʊʃ])
  • Eduardo [e.ˈðwaɾ.ðu] (ed-WAHR-doo [ɛ.ˈdwɑːɹd.u])
  • Anthony Lopes [ɐ̃n.ˈtɔ.ni ˈɫɔ.pɨʃ] (ahn-TOH-nee LOHP-(i)sh [ɑːn.ˈtoʊ̯n.i ˈloʊ̯p.ᵻʃ])
  • Rui Patrício [ˈʁui̯ pɐ.ˈtɾi.sju] (ROOEE pə-TRISS-eeoo [ˈɹuː‿i pə.ˈtɹɪs.i‿u])
  • Bruno Alves [ˈbɾu.nu‿ˈaɫ.vɨʃ] (BROO-noo AHLV-(i)sh [ˈbɹuːn.u ˈɑːlv.ᵻʃ])
  • Cédric Soares [ˈsɛ.ðɾik ˈswa.ɾɨʃ] (SED-rik SWAHR-(i)sh [ˈsɛdɹ.ɪk ˈswɑːɹ‿ᵻʃ])
  • Eliseu [e.ɫi.ˈzeu̯] (el-i-ZEH-oo [ˌɛl.i.ˈzeɪ̯.u])
  • José Fonte [ʒu.ˈzɛ ˈfõn.tɨ] (zhuu-ZEH FONT [ʒʊ.ˈzeɪ̯ ˈfɒnt])
  • Pepe [ˈpɛ.pɨ] (PEP [ˈpɛp])
  • Raphaël Guerreiro [ʁɐ.fɐ.ˈɛɫ ɡɨ.ˈʁɐi̯.ɾu] (rahf-ə-EL gə-RAIR-oo [ˌɹɑːf.ə.ˈɛl ɡə.ˈɹɛə̯ɹ.u])
  • Ricardo Carvalho [ʁi.ˈkaɾ.ðu kɐɾ.ˈva.ʎu] (ri-KAR-doo kər-VAHL-yoo [ɹɪ.ˈkɑːɹd.u kəɹ.ˈvɑːl.ju])
  • Adrien Silva [ˈa.ðɾi.ẽ ˈsiɫ.vɐ] (AH-dree-en SIL-və [ˈɑːdɹ.i‿ɛn ˈsɪl.və])
  • André Gomes [ɐ̃n.ˈdɾɛ ˈɡo.mɨʃ] (ahn-DREH GOHM-(i)sh [ɑːn.ˈdɹeɪ̯ ˈɡoʊ̯m.ᵻʃ])
  • Danilo Pereira [dɐ.ˈni.ɫu pɨ.ˈɾɐi̯.ɾɐ] (də-NIL-oo pə-RAIR-ə [də.ˈnɪl.u pə.ˈɹɛə̯ɹ.ə])
  • João Mário [ˈʒwɐ̃ũ̯ ˈma.ɾju] (ZHWOW(n) MAR-eeoo [ʒu‿ˈaʊ̯n ˈmɑːɹ.i‿u])
  • João Moutinho [ˈʒwɐ̃ũ̯ mo.ˈti.ɲu] (ZHWOW(n) moh-TIN-yoo [ʒu‿ˈaʊ̯n moʊ̯.ˈtɪn.ju])
  • Rafa Silva [ˈʁa.fɐ ˈsiɫ.vɐ] (RAHF-ə SIL-və [ˈɹɑːf.ə ˈsɪl.və])
  • Renato Sanches [ʁɨ.ˈna.tu ˈsɐ̃.ʃɨʃ] (ri-NAHT-oo SAHNSH-ish [ɹᵻ.ˈnɑːt.u ˈsɑːnʃ.ᵻʃ])
  • Vieirinha [vjɐi̯.ˈɾi.ɲɐ] (vee-ay-RIN-yə [ˌviː‿eɪ̯.ˈɹin.jə])
  • William Carvalho [ˈwi.ljɐm kɐɾ.ˈva.ʎu] (WILL-yəm kər-VAHL-yoo [ˈwɪl.jəm kəɹ.ˈvɑːl.ju)
  • Éder [ˈɛ.ðɛɾ] (ED-air [ˈɛd.ɛə̯ɹ])
  • Nani [na.ˈni] (nah-NEE [nɑː.ˈniː])
  • Ricardo Quaresma [ʁi.ˈkaɾ.ðu kwɐ.ˈɾɛʒ.mɐ] (ri-KAR-doo kwə-REZH-mə [ɹɪ.ˈkɑːɹd.u kwə.ˈɹɛʒ.mə])
  • Cristiano Ronaldo [kɾɨʃ.tiˈɐ.nu ʁu.ˈnaɫ.du] (krisht-ee-AHN-oo ruu-NAHL-doo [ˌkɹɪʃt.i‿ˈɑːn.u ɹʊ.ˈnɑːld.u])

Raphaël Guerreiro, Anthony Lopes and Adrien Silva were born in France and have French given names, pronounced in French [ʁa.fa.ɛl], [ɑ̃.tɔ.ni] and [a.dʁi.ɛ̃] respectively. Pepe was born in Brazil, and in Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation is called [ˈpɛ.pi] (English approximation PEP-ee [ˈpɛp.i]). As he is a Brazilian-born member of the Portuguese national team, one could justifiably pronounce his name in English either as ‘peppy’ following the Brazilian pronunciation or as ‘pep’ following the European Portuguese pronunciation.

Poland Euro 2016 squad

pronouncerLeave a comment

Polish names tend to pose particular difficulty to non-Poles. Polish spelling is quite regular in that once one knows the rules of which letters correspond to which sound, it is easy to see how it is pronounced. But these conventions are very different from most other languages that use the Latin alphabet and are often baffling for speakers of other languages.

Polish has two series of sounds that correspond to the sh /ʃ/, zh /ʒ/ (as in ‘vision’), ch /ʧ/, and j /ʤ/ (as in ‘judge’) sounds of English—the retroflex series sz /ʂ/, rz or ż /ʐ/, cz /ʦ̢/, and dż /ʣ̢/, and the alveolo-palatal series ś /ɕ/, ź /ʑ/, ć /ʨ/, and dź /ʥ/. The latter series also occur when the letters s, z, c, and dz are followed by the letter i (which is not pronounced separately if another vowel follows).

The letters that have a little ‘tail’ or ogonek—ę and ą—are usually pronounced as if they were e and o respectively with nasalization, or with a nasal consonant (like /n/ or /m/) at the end if followed by certain consonants.

Here is a guide to the Polish pronunciation of Poland’s Euro 2016 roster, followed by suggested approximations in English in parentheses.

  • Manager: Adam Nawałka (Poland) [ˈa.dam na.ˈvau̯.ka] (AH-dahm na-VOW-ka [ˈɑːd.ɑːm nə.ˈvaʊ̯k.ə])
  • Artur Boruc [ˈar.tur ˈbɔ.ruʦ] (AR-toor BOR-oots [ˈɑːɹt.ʊɹ ˈbɔːɹ.ʊts])
  • Łukasz Fabiański [ˈwu.kaʂ fa.ˈbjaɲ.skʲi] (WOO-kahsh fahb-YAHN-ski [ˈwuːk.ɑːʃ ˌfɑːb.i‿ˈɑːn.ski])
  • Wojciech Szczęsny [ˈvɔi̯.ʨɛx ˈʂʦ̢ɛ̃.snɨ] (VOY-chekh SHCHE(N)S-nee [ˈvɔɪ̯.ʧɛx ˈʃʧɛns.ni] or VOY-check [ˈvɔɪ̯.ʧɛk])
  • Kamil Glik [ˈka.mil ˈɡlik] (KAHM-il GLICK [ˈkɑːm.ɪl ˈɡlɪk])
  • Artur Jędrzejczyk [ˈar.tur jɛn.ˈdʐɛi̯.ʦ̢ɨk] (AR-toor yend-ZHEY-chick [ˈɑːɹt.ʊɹ jɛnd.ˈʒeɪ̯ʧ.ɪk])
  • Michał Pazdan [ˈmi.xau̯ ˈpaz.dan] (MEE-khow PAHZ-dahn [ˈmiː.xaʊ̯ ˈpɑːz.dɑːn] or MEE-how [ˈmiː.haʊ̯])
  • Łukasz Piszczek [ˈwu.kaʂ ˈpi.ʂʦ̢ɛk] (WOO-kahsh PISH-check [ˈwuːk.ɑːʃ ˈpɪʃ.ʧɛk])
  • Bartosz Salamon [ˈbar.tɔʂ sa.ˈla.mɔn] (BAR-tosh sa-LAHM-on [ˈbɑːɹt.ɒʃ sə.ˈlɑːm.ɒn])
  • Thiago Cionek [ˈtja.ɡɔ ˈʨɔ.nɛk] (tee-AH-go CHO-neck [ti.ˈɑːɡoʊ̯ ˈʧoʊ̯n.ɛk])
  • Jakub Wawrzyniak [ˈja.kup va.ˈvʐɨ.ɲak] (YAHK-oop vahv-ZHIN-eeack [ˈjɑːk.ʊp vɑːv.ˈʒɪn.i‿æk])
  • Jakub Błaszczykowski [ˈja.kup bwa.ʂʦ̢ɨ.ˈkɔf.skʲi → ˈja.kub.bwa.ʂʦ̢ɨ.ˈkɔf.skʲi] (YAHK-oop bwahsh-chi-KOF-ski [ˈjɑːk.ʊp ˌbwɑːʃ.ʧɪ.ˈkɔf.ski])
  • Kamil Grosicki [ˈka.mil ɡrɔ.ˈɕiʦ.kʲi] (KAHM-il gro-SHIT-ski [ˈkɑːm.ɪl ɡɹoʊ̯.ˈʃɪt.ski])
  • Tomasz Jodłowiec [ˈtɔ.maʂ jɔ.ˈdwɔ.vjɛʦ] (TOM-ahsh yo-DWO-viets [ˈtɒm.ɑːʃ joʊ̯.ˈdwoʊ̯v.i‿ɛts])
  • Bartosz Kapustka [ˈbar.tɔʂ ka.ˈpust.ka] (BAR-tosh ka-PUST-ka [ˈbɑːɹt.ɒʃ kə.ˈpʊst.kə]—PUST has the same vowel as ‘put’)
  • Grzegorz Krychowiak [ˈɡʐɛ.ɡɔʂ krɨ.ˈxɔ.vjak] (GZHEG-osh kri-KHO-veeack [ˈɡʒɛɡ.ɒʃ kɹɪ.ˈxoʊ̯v.i‿æk] or kri-HO-veeack [kɹɪ.ˈhoʊ̯v.i‿æk])
  • Karol Linetty [ˈka.rɔl li.ˈnɛ.tɨ] (KAR-ol li-NET-ee [ˈkɑːɹ.ɒl lɪ.ˈnɛt.i]) or [ˈli.nɛ.tɨ] (LIN-ett-ee [ˈlɪn.ɛt.i])
  • Krzysztof Mączyński [ˈkʂɨ.ʂtɔf mɔnˈʦ̢ɨɲskʲi] (KSHISH-toff mon-CHIN-ski [ˈkʃɪʃ.tɒf mɒn.ˈʧɪn.ski])
  • Sławomir Peszko [swa.ˈvɔ.mir ˈpɛ.ʂkɔ] (swah-VO-meer PESH-ko [swɑː.ˈvoʊ̯m.ɪə̯ɹ ˈpɛʃ.koʊ̯])
  • Filip Starzyński [ˈfi.lip sta.ˈʐɨɲ.skʲi] (FIL-ip stah-ZHIN-ski [ˈfɪl.ɪp stɑː.ˈʒɪn.ski])
  • Piotr Zieliński [ˈpjɔtr̥ ʑɛ.ˈliɲ.skʲi] (PYOTR zheh-LIN-ski [ˈpjotɹ ʒɛ.ˈlɪn.ski])
  • Robert Lewandowski [ˈrɔ.bɛrt lɛ.van.ˈdɔf.skʲi] (ROB-ert lev-an-DOFF-ski [ˈɹɒb.əɹt ˌlɛv.ən.ˈdɒf.ski])
  • Arkadiusz Milik [ar.ˈka.djuʂ ˈmi.lik] (ar-KAHD-eeoosh MIL-ik [ɑːɹ.ˈkɑːd.i‿ʊʃ ˈmɪl.ɪk])
  • Mariusz Stępiński [ˈma.rjuʂ stɛm.ˈpiɲ.skʲi] (MAR-eeoosh stem-PIN-ski [ˈmɑːɹ.i‿ʊʃ stɛm.ˈpɪn.ski])

As is the case for most languages, there is no universally agreed-upon method for approximating Polish pronunciation in English. Variations on the above may be equally acceptable, for example where similar vowels are used (e.g. PEESH-check [ˈpiːʃ.ʧɛk] instead of PISH-check [ˈpɪʃ.ʧɛk] for Piszczek) or vowel reductions are applied (e.g. AR-ter [ˈɑːɹt.əɹ] instead of AR-toor [ˈɑːɹt.ʊɹ] for Artur).

Polish obstruents are devoiced finally, which is why the b in Jakub becomes [p]. However, one may just as well keep the b sound in English, saying YAHK-oob [ˈjɑːk.ʊb] for Jakub instead of YAHK-oop [ˈjɑːk.ʊp].

Polish ł represents /w/ in standard pronunciation, though historically it represented a velarized lateral approximant [ɫ], similar to the English ‘dark l’. This pronunciation is preserved in some Eastern dialects. So one may just as well map this to the English l sound, especially word-finally or before a consonant, saying na-VAHL-ka [nə.ˈvɑːlk.ə] for Nawałka instead of na-VOW-ka [nə.ˈvaʊ̯k.ə].

For the Polish consonant clusters with rz /ʐ/ which are difficult to imitate in English, it may be fine to map them to corresponding English clusters with r for ease of pronunciation, saying  GREG-osh [ˈɡɹɛɡ.ɒʃ] for Grzegorz instead of GZHEG-osh [ˈɡʒɛɡ.ɒʃ]. Historically, Polish rz was a palatalized trill /rʲ/ and thus closer to the r sounds of other languages before developing into the zh-like sound /ʐ/ of Modern Polish.

I have mapped the Polish vowel a /a/ consistently to English /ɑː/, the vowel in PALM., except for the ending -ak which I have mapped to English /æk/ to rhyme with ‘back’. For some speakers, this latter vowel /æ/ as in TRAP might be a better match for the Polish sound in general. Also, for Adam, one may just as well use the usual English pronunciation, [ˈæd.əm].

Linetty looks like a surname of Hungarian origin, which would explain the first-syllable stress that is sometimes heard. The typical Polish rule is to stress the penultimate syllable.

Thiago Cionek was born in Brazil, where Thiago is a common name. In Brazilian Portuguese, it is usually pronounced [ˈʧja.ɡu] (chee-AH-goo) because of the typically Brazilian palatalization of t into something like the English ch sound [ʧ] and the reduction of final unstressed o into [u] in most varieties of Portuguese, though regionally you may hear variants like [ˈtja.ɡu] (tee-AH-goo) and [ˈʧja.ɡo] (chee-AH-go). In English, it is usual to ignore the palatalization of t or the reduction of final o in Portuguese names, so tee-AH-go [ti.ˈɑːɡoʊ̯] is advisable for Thiago.

Thiago Cionek is also known as Thiago Rangel; the second Portuguese name is pronounced [ʁɐ̃.ˈʒɛu̯] in Brazilian Portuguese. Unlike European Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese usually features l-vocalization, where l develops into a w-like sound at the end of words and before consonants. This is similar to the development of Polish ł, except that in Polish this became a w-like sound even before vowels. The sequence [ɛu̯] is difficult to imitate in English, though, and l-vocalization is usually ignored when Portuguese names are pronounced in English. So the Portuguese pronunciation of Rangel may best be approximated as rahn-ZHEL [ɹɑːn.ˈʒɛl] in English.

Xhaka vs Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri

pronouncerLeave a comment

Unusually, the UEFA Euro 2016 group stage match between Albania and Switzerland pitted two brothers against each other—Taulant Xhaka representing Albania and Granit Xhaka representing Switzerland. The brothers were born in Basel, Switzerland to ethnic Albanian parents who had just moved from Kosovo. While both played for Switzerland at various youth levels, the older Taulant chose to represent Albania at the senior level.

An article called “How to pronounce EURO players’ names correctly” on the UEFA website interestingly gives Taulant Xhaka as “Taoo-lant Dza-ka” while Granit Xhaka is given as “Cha-ka”. The short answer as to why they give different pronunciations for the same surname is that the former is based on Albanian and the latter on German, but neither pronunciation guide is satisfactory.

In Albanian, the digraph xh represents the sound /ʤ/ as in English jack [ˈʤæk], so Xhaka is pronounced [ʤa.ka] (due to conflicting accounts about which syllables are stressed in Albanian, I have made no attempt to mark stress in the transcriptions of Albanian pronunciation here). JAHK-a [ˈʤɑːk.ə] would be a better approximation of the Albanian pronunciation than “Dza-ka”, which would be spelled xaka in Albanian, where the letter x represents [ʣ].

Why then “Cha-ka” for the younger Xhaka? The phoneme /ʤ/ is not native to German, and only occurs in loanwords such as Dschungel [ˈʤʊŋl̩] from English jungle. But while the Standard German pronunciation as indicated by Duden’s pronunciation dictionary retains the original sound for this foreign phoneme, many speakers in Switzerland, Austria, and Southern Germany replace it with its voiceless counterpart /ʧ/ (the ch sound in English). So [ˈʧa.ka] is indeed a reasonable realization of Xhaka in German, and probably the most appropriate one for Switzerland. However, for German speakers who distinguish /ʤ/ from /ʧ/, it is advisable to say [ˈʤa.ka]. And as English does have the phoneme /ʤ/, it is recommendable for English speakers to say JAHK-a [ˈʤɑːk.ə] for Granit as well, using the same pronunciation for both brothers.

Taulant and Granit are [ta.u.lant] and [ɡɾa.nit] and respectively in Albanian. In German, [ˈtaʊ̯.lant] and [ˈɡʁa.nɪt] would be reasonable approximations, although shifting the stress to the last syllable may be closer to the Albanian pronunciations. Reasonable English approximations could be TAO-lahnt [ˈtaʊ̯.lɑːnt] and GRAHN-it [ˈɡɹɑːn.ɪt].

Granit’s international teammate Xherdan Shaqiri, who was born in Kosovo before emigrating to Switzerland shortly afterwards, also poses a problem. The UEFA article mentioned above gives the pronunciation of his name as “Cher-dan Scha-ki-ri”, again following the German pronunciation.

In Albanian, the name is pronounced [ʤɛɾ.dan.ʃa.ci.ɾi]. In “Cher-dan” [ˈʧɛʁ.dan], we again see the /ʧ/ standing in for Albanian /ʤ/ in the German pronunciation typical of Switzerland. Again, for German speakers who distinguish /ʤ/ and /ʧ/, [ˈʤɛʁ.dan] would be advisable. JER-dahn [ˈʤɜːɹ.dɑːn] or JAIR-dahn [ˈʤɛə̯ɹ.dɑːn] would also be better for English speakers.

The usual German pronunciation of Shaqiri is indeed “Scha-ki-ri” [ʃa.ˈkiː.ʁi], with the q having the /k/ sound as expected in German spelling. But Albanian q represents either the voiceless palatal stop [c] or the voiceless palatal affricate [c͡ç], sounds that are not present in German or English. Furthermore, in some dialects of Albanian, it might become an alveolo-palatal affricate [ʨ] or postalveolar affricate [ʧ], in the latter case merging with the sound /ʧ/ written ç in Albanian. The latter pronunciations are widespread in Kosovo, for example. So a closer approximation of the Albanian pronunciation in German would have been “Scha-tschi-ri” [ʃa.ˈʧiː.ʁi]. But it seems that the pronunciation more intuitive to German speakers stuck.

English speakers similarly expect the q in Shaqiri to represent a /k/ sound, so most commentators say sha-KEER-ee [ʃə.ˈkɪəɹ.i], which approximates the German pronunciation, whereas sha-CHEER-ee [ʃə.ˈʧɪəɹ.i] would be closer to the Albanian. Given the overwhelming popularity of the former pronunciation in English, it would feel needlessly pedantic to insist on the more Albanian-like pronunciation.