What is the correct way to pronounce Kirchhoff ?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the correct pronunciation of "Kirchhoff," exploring various interpretations and experiences related to its pronunciation. Participants share their personal encounters and preferences, highlighting the complexity and variability in pronunciation, particularly in different cultural contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest two primary pronunciations: "KIRK HOFF" and "KEER SHOFF," with varying degrees of preference.
  • One participant mentions a pronunciation closer to "ker' chof," indicating regional variations.
  • Another participant claims that the correct pronunciation is "Keerch Hoff," emphasizing the German "ch" sound as in "Ich."
  • Some participants express uncertainty about the correct pronunciation, noting that different people have different interpretations.
  • A few participants share anecdotes about other names, such as "Euler," to illustrate the broader issue of pronunciation in academic contexts.
  • One participant humorously suggests that using the correct German pronunciation may lead to being perceived as "weird."
  • There is a mention of the meanings of "Kirchhof" and "Kirschhof," with some confusion about their translations and implications.
  • Several participants discuss the challenges of pronouncing certain German sounds, with references to linguistic abilities across different cultures.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct pronunciation of "Kirchhoff," with multiple competing views and interpretations remaining throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the variability in pronunciation based on regional accents and personal experiences, as well as the potential for misunderstanding or miscommunication regarding the name's pronunciation.

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What is the correct way to pronounce "Kirchhoff"?

What is the correct way to pronounce "Kirchhoff"? I keep hearing the same two pronunciations over and over:

#1 sounds like KIRK HOFF (the preferred pronunciation of the prof who instructed my E&M class)

#2 sounds like KEER SHOFF

Which one is it? I don't want to sound ignorant when I pronounce it.
 
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Geezer said:
What is the correct way to pronounce "Kirchhoff"? I keep hearing the same two pronunciations over and over:

#1 sounds like KIRK HOFF (the preferred pronunciation of the prof who instructed my E&M class)

#2 sounds like KEER SHOFF

Which one is it? I don't want to sound ignorant when I pronounce it.
Pretty sure no one would begrudge you either way.

Plus, if you think that's bad, then you ought to see the myriad of ways I've heard EULER pronouced. *shivers* :biggrin:OIL-ER (as in Olive Oil-er)

AYE-LER (as in aye, aye Captain)

ALE-ER (as in beer)

and

YULE-ER (which rhymes with Bueller...Bueller...Bueller).

http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/wysiwyg/image/ben-stein.jpg

To this day, I'm not sure which is correct.
 


Pretty sure it's "Oiler".

As for Kirchhoff, I don't know, but I've always heard it as kirk-hoff.
 


It's Oiler, as you'll learn if you ask any German.
 


Geezer said:
What is the correct way to pronounce "Kirchhoff"?
Bless you, here's a tissue. Now, what word do you need the correct pronunciation for?

"Kirchhoff"

Heres another tissue. So, what's the word then?

"Kirchhoff"

If we're going to help you with the word you're going to have to stop sneezing. As far as I...I...I... "Kirchhoff" Oh no, now I've caught it! This thread needs to be quarantined before it spreads! A super virus! The end of the world! Noooo!Sorry about that. I think you pronounce it like kerchief, except with an 'o' sound.
 


Geezer said:
#1 sounds like KIRK HOFF (the preferred pronunciation of the prof who instructed my E&M class)

#2 sounds like KEER SHOFF

#2 is closer, but in the first syllable, substitute the short I from #1. That's probably as close as you can get with standard English sounds.

The SH is like the "ch" in German "Ich", the voiceless palatal fricative, which is probably the hardest German sound for English-speakers to master.
 


I go to Caltech and we've got a building named Kirchhoff in which a lot of our classes our held.

For the most part, we pronounce it "Kirkoff". More like the first one.
 


He pronounced it keer-koff when he was alive but he's dead now so he won't mind if you get it wrong.
 


Char. Limit said:
It's Oiler, as you'll learn if you ask any German.


Yeah well (I'm just saying), my Siberian professor always pronounced it Ale-er. Of course, he also used to say "mattresses" when meaning "matrices;" and "fuk-us" instead of "focus."

One day he ACTUALLY said out loud to our class: "You all need to fuk-us on the mattresses." No lie.

Incidentally, I'm of German ancestry (they came to the United States in the early 20th Century), but don't know a word of it. :redface: Sadly, I'm not even sure actually how to pronounce my last name: Ziegler.

Zeeeeegler?

Zigler?

Zyyyygler?
 
  • #10


Your last name would be... pronounced as if it were spelled Zeegler. Trust me.
 
  • #11


jtbell said:
The SH is like the "ch" in German "Ich", the voiceless palatal fricative, which is probably the hardest German sound for English-speakers to master.
That's your fault; it is a very easy sound to produce.

The Germans aren't very skilled at languages, either, they cannot, for example, make a proper, Norwegian "u" (and neither can you Anglos)
 
  • #12


Same like in Hebrew we pronounce the letter "heit" in our alphabet! You guys lack the phlegm power! :)
 
  • #13


FrancisZ said:
Zeeeeegler?

Tseeeeegler. :smile:
 
  • #14


Math Jeans said:
I go to Caltech

My favorite college. :approve:
 
  • #15


Geezer said:
What is the correct way to pronounce "Kirchhoff"? I keep hearing the same two pronunciations over and over:

#1 sounds like KIRK HOFF (the preferred pronunciation of the prof who instructed my E&M class)

#2 sounds like KEER SHOFF

Which one is it? I don't want to sound ignorant when I pronounce it.

Neither. It's "Keerch Hoff", where the "ch" is pronounced as in the German "Ich". By the way, it means "cherry farm".
 
  • #16


Ben Niehoff said:
Neither. It's "Keerch Hoff", where the "ch" is pronounced as in the German "Ich". By the way, it means "cherry farm".
That would be Kirschhof, not Kirchhof.

Kirchhof means church-yard, i.e, grave-yard.

Unless it is a germanization of a Slavic name like Kyrzcov or something like that (in which case it means, possibly, "son of Charles").
 
  • #17


I see. I shouldn't translate before breakfast.
 
  • #18


Ben Niehoff said:
I see. I shouldn't translate before breakfast.
Have a cherry, that breaks your fast nicely! :smile:
 
  • #19


Femme_physics said:
Same like in Hebrew we pronounce the letter "heit" in our alphabet! You guys lack the phlegm power! :)
I don't know, there are many in the states who can pronounce the ch in chet, especially the הגולים
Geezer said:
What is the correct way to pronounce "Kirchhoff"?

I have also heard it pronounced... ker' chof (ch as in chief as Frankly also mentioned).
Cannot say anyone of those mentioned are incorrect, they are just different pronunciations.
 
  • #20


Ouabache said:
I have also heard it pronounced... ker' chof (ch as in chief as Frankly also mentioned).
Cannot say anyone of those mentioned are incorrect, they are just different pronunciations.

this is the way i heard it in alabama, from a guy with a very similar name.
 
  • #21


Honestly if you do pronounce it in the correct German way, people will think you're weird.
 
  • #22


KingNothing said:
Honestly if you do pronounce it in the correct German way, people will think you're weird.

In Germany as well?? :confused:

We Norwegians dutifully pronounce it in the correct German way, is that WRONG?
 

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