Quick pronunciation question

Ghibli = Gibb-lee? Hibb-Lee? Pretty sure it isn't Jibb-lee...

Khamsin = Cam-sin? Ham-sin?

 

Italian pronunciation.. GEE blee


The i is pronounced ee. The G is a hard G, ( as in going, get, Gary, grisley, grotesque...etc). The H after the G is silent, the second i same as the first , pronounced ee.

Khamsin... Hard K, silent h. I is prenounced ee..... The a is pronounced ahhhh. So... KAHM seen.

BUT, when you speak the words... put a musical Italian lilt / accent into your voice, by putting the accent onthe first sylable..... sounds more believible that way

JD

 

Bravo Jeff

 

Thanks Jeff!

 

That's how I would pronounce them, but.... I don't believe they are Italian words, they're Arabic. So they MAY be pronounced differently in their native dialect.

 

They are pronounced the same, in Arabic you just have to make the sound like you are about spit out a bunch of Nasal Flem.

 

Sorry to be a little late to this party, but:

My Algerian friend says: kham-SEEN -- which is Arabic for the number fifty.

The "kh" comes somewhat from the throat as typical in Semitic languages, (like " L'Chaim " in Hebrew). Accent on the second sylable.

Likely the Italians meant this for the seasonal Sahara winds that last for about fifty days.

 

In the last 35 years that's first time I've ever heard anyone pronounce Ghibli that way?

 

I've never heard it any other way... LOL ...

 

I guess it depends upon where your are. Though I never heard it pronounced like that when I attended Maserati events in Europe or the UK either. Maybe folks adjust the pronunciation when they speak in English? Pronouncing it"gee blee" will get you a funny look in North America.

Potayto, Potahto Tomayto, Tomahto Oh let's call the whole thing off ...

 

Hi Bob,
No big thing, and I have probably misunderstood something anyway , but I thought your comment was to Jeff Davison's earlier remark that the G in Ghibli would be pronunciated with a hard G in Italian.

Gabriel