Pronunciation of Nikon

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meesham

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#43239 19-Oct-2009 09:35

I'm looking at upgrading to a D90 and I've been going around to a few camera shops for prices and I've noticed a bit of variation in the pronunciation of Nikon. I've always said it as Nick-on and that's all I've heard while living in Australia and the UK, but I've heard a couple of the sales people say N-eye-kon. What's the norm for the pronunciation of the name here?

I've managed to adjust my pronunciation of Subaru, although I still forget sometimes :)

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#264985 19-Oct-2009 09:42

Technically its Knee-con (Japanese vowels are kinda similar to Maori).

But whatever :D

Handsomedan

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#264988 19-Oct-2009 09:47

I call them Nick-on...just like most would. I think when a brand is as big as it is, it becomes partially irrelevant.

Detruire

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#264992 19-Oct-2009 09:56

I'd probably say nye-kon.

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NonprayingMantis

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#265014 19-Oct-2009 11:33

Nick-on is how I've heard photography professionals say it.

Also,

Soo buh roo = UK

Soo baar oo = Kiwi

I think UK version is closer to the Japanese pronunciation

Plenty of brands are mispronounced by the masses, Porsche, Nike, Adidas, McAfee, Ralph Loren for example.

Detruire

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#265027 19-Oct-2009 12:22

I'd say that su-bah-ru

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DS248

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#265039 19-Oct-2009 13:23

As Spronkey stated the Japanese pronunciation is 'nee-con' / 'knee-con' (like 'i' in "machine" ) but as others have said, many foreign words get mis-pronounced outside of their native country (& the pronunciation varies between countries). I confess though to the mis-pronunciation "Nye-con" (trying to do better though)

For a simplified explanation, see Japanese Pronunciation

But note that

- 'shi' --> "she"
- 'shin' --> "shin" (as in 'shinkansen')

ie. the 'n' on the end modifies the sound (in all three instances in the bullet train case).

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meesham

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#265042 19-Oct-2009 13:35

Thanks everyone, it looks like there's a quite a bit of variation. If I get weird looks from people when I pronounce it Nick-on I'll know it's just my appearance!

I found a youtube video of an English guy ranting about the American pronunciation of Nikon, although I think he's a bit misguided (it's amazing some of the crap I lookup when I'm avoiding work on a Monday morning). Even within England there's a big variation in pronunciation and the rules he described don't always apply (I'm guessing because of the mixed Saxon, Norman and Celtic influences in names).

River Thames - River Tems
Leicester - Lester
Derby - Darby
France - Frarn-ss or Fran-ss depending on the region

Adamal

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#265045 19-Oct-2009 13:45

I can't stand poorly pronounced Japanese :/

Bung

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#265061 19-Oct-2009 14:55

meesham:
I found a youtube video of an English guy ranting about the American pronunciation of Nikon

You can also find Youtube clips with a senior NighKon engineer working for Nikon Inc referring to the company as Nighkon. I'd say that head office can't be too unhappy with that version.

NonprayingMantis

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#265063 19-Oct-2009 15:17

my favourite

Worcestershire - pronounced wurster-sheer in England

in America (and often in NZ), pronounced war-chester-shyre

Although I admit some names in English do have incredibly bizarre pronunciations

e.g. Cholmondly is pronounced Chum-lee
Featherstonehaugh is pronounced Fan-shaw

allstarnz

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#265175 19-Oct-2009 22:59

and everyone's favourite - Arkansas :)

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mruane

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#265189 19-Oct-2009 23:36

In all the time I dealt with pro photographers as a Kodak and Agfa Gevaert rep back in the 70's, I don't recall any of them referring to their NeyeKon, or KneeCon. It was always their Nick-on!

Having said that I ended up with a Can-on - much easier to pronounce...

Cheers

Bung

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#265190 19-Oct-2009 23:41

Were they running around in their Nicky shoes?

alasta

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#265202 20-Oct-2009 06:52

The bodies are branded Nikon and the lenses are branded Nikkor. Since the former has one K and the latter has two Ks, I have always pronounced them 'Nigh-kon' and 'Nick-kor' respectively.

There is definitely a lot of variation on the pronunciations used though, as proven by this thread.

wmoore

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#265236 20-Oct-2009 10:32

Adidas

New Zealand Adi-das
I think the Correct way is A-did-as

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