A recent review of the book Le Deal in the Wall Street Journal contained this sentence: "Along the way, he repeatedly mispronounces Nike in French, rendering the name in a way that suggests fornication instead of sportswear."

However, the story didn't explain exactly how he was mispronouncing it. Should the English speaker be careful not to use the normal English pronunciation? What is the "safe" way to say "Nike" in French?

The book, by the way, is about J. Byrne Murphy, who brought the outlet mall to France.

- Roz

Nike must have been pronounced like the verb "niquer", which means - pardonne mon Français - to shaft.
Not a word to drop at the Monaco Red Cross ball…

For the Frenchmen (and Frenchwomen) "Nike" ryhmes with "like" and not with "leak". As in the US, I think!


Unless it is inspired by the Greek Goddess Nike ????

quote:

For the Frenchmen (and Frenchwomen) "Nike" ryhmes with "like"

quote:

For the Frenchmen (and Frenchwomen) "Nike" ryhmes with "like" and not with "leak". As in the US, I think!

Yes, the I is like the I in like, but the final E is also pronounced in English, so it really doesn't rhyme with "like." It's said as "NI - KEE."

- Roz

For further clarification, according to the system Steve and I used on the French Language Lessons, it would be more like "NAI-kee" - but, yes, the first syllable rhymes with "like," but adds an "ee" for the second syllable.

And as far as the derivation of the company name, yes, it does come from the Greek goddess of strength, speed, and victory!