Pronunciation of scientists' names

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The discussion centers on the correct pronunciations of the names "Kirchoff" and "Fresnel." Users express confusion over their pronunciations, with one participant noting they pronounce "Kirchoff" as "Kirshoff" (with 'ch' as 'sh') and "Fresnel" as "Frenel" (with a silent 's'). A contributor from California clarifies that "Kirchoff" is pronounced "Kerkoff" and confirms that "Fresnel" is correctly pronounced "Frenel," aligning with its French origin. The conversation also touches on the variability of pronunciations in different regions and briefly mentions the name "De Broglie," highlighting the complexities of scientific name pronunciations.
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I'm confused what is the right pronunciation of "Kirchoff" and "Fresnel".
So far I have been pronouncing 'ch' in Kirchoff as 'sh' i.e. "Kirshoff" and keeping 's' silent in 'Fresnel' i.e. "Frenel" . Anyone from the native country of those two scientists can help me fix the right pronunciations of those two names?
 
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mnhtapu said:
I'm confused what is the right pronunciation of "Kirchoff" and "Fresnel".
So far I have been pronouncing 'ch' in Kirchoff as 'sh' i.e. "Kirshoff" and keeping 's' silent in 'Fresnel' i.e. "Frenel" . Anyone from the native country of those two scientists can help me fix the right pronunciations of those two names?

At least here in sunny California, Kirchoff is pronounced "Kerkoff". You have Fresnel correct. These words could easily be pronounced differently in different parts of the world.
 
Fresnel was a french guy. The pronunciation must be "frenel" like you said.
 
Kirkoff (almost Kierkoff), Frenel
 
mnhtapu said:
I'm confused what is the right pronunciation of "Kirchoff" and "Fresnel".
So far I have been pronouncing 'ch' in Kirchoff as 'sh' i.e. "Kirshoff" and keeping 's' silent in 'Fresnel' i.e. "Frenel" . Anyone from the native country of those two scientists can help me fix the right pronunciations of those two names?
I alway pronounce it Frenel, but you can't go by me. As for Fresnel, I have no idea how it might be pronounced.
 
For a real argument try "De Broglie"
 
mgb_phys said:
For a real argument try "De Broglie"
"De Broglie"? Who's De Broglie? Surely, you refer to de Broglie!
 

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