Lieutenant

Question

I've always been curious about the difference in pronounciation of this word in UK and US English.
In US English the word is pronounced as it is written (ljuutenent), while in UK English people say 'leftenent'.
Does anyone know where the UK pronounciation comes from?

- Herman -
Flanders

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]I've always been curious about the difference in pronounciation of this word in UK and US English. In US English the word is pronounced as it is written (ljuutenent),[/nq]
Well, no. The Americans use a pronunciation as if it were a word in the English language, rather than a French one. (And they say "Loo-" rather than "Lyoo-".) Or else they may be using an archaic naval pronunciation.
[nq:1]while in UK English people say 'leftenent'. Does anyone know where the UK pronounciation comes from?[/nq]
I've forgotten the real explanation, but how would you pronounce in Flemish if it were spelt "Lievtenant"?

John Briggs

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]I've always been curious about the difference in pronounciation of this word in UK and US English. In US English the word is pronounced as it is written (ljuutenent), while in UK English people say 'leftenent'. Does anyone know where the UK pronounciation comes from?[/nq]
Wikipedia says according to www.answers.com quote
The word is pronounced loo-tenant in American English and usually lef-tenant in British English. The Royal Navy, however, traditionally pronounce the word as l'tenant which is a closer anglicised approximation of the original French.
In Canada, lef-tenant is standard for all branches of the Armed Forces and for other usages such as lieutenant governor or Quebec lieutenant.

The British pronunciation is prevalent during 14th and 15th centuries with the word being variously spelled as lieftenant, lyeftenant or luftenant. It may have originated from a mistaken reading of the 'u' as a 'v', lev-tenant eventually becoming lef-tenant. Some sources state that the original French word lieu had an alternative form spelt and pronounced lieuf, and that the modern British English form retains the former spelling and the latter pronunciation.
It has also been speculated that it may have come from a fanciful etymology which associated it with the verb 'to leave', as the lieutenant only took up his duties once his superior officer had 'left'.
Another theory comes from the fact that in typical propriety the person or persons standing to the rear-left of a gentleman held power and were typically those directly second to him. The person or persons standing to the rear-right were considered to have no or less standing than those to the rear-left, such as aides, bodyguards, wives, etc., often holding this position for simple facility rather than societal importance. This tradition remains in military parades, with lieutenants standing to the rear-left of the commanding officer (when facing the advance.) unquote

Noel

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Does anyone know where the UK pronounciation comes from?[/nq]
[nq:1]Wikipedia says according to www.answers.com quote[/nq]
Thanks for the answer (did'nt know about the web site you mentioned). Curious to see there is still a lot of speculation about the subject. Nevertheless very interesting.
- Herman -

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Does anyone know where the UK pronounciation comes from?[/nq]
[nq:1]I've forgotten the real explanation, but how would you pronounce in Flemish if it were spelt "Lievtenant"?[/nq]
Well, the current word is "luitenant" ('ui' being a dipthong similar to the 'ou' in cough but then longer).
"Lievtenant" would be pronounced (le:ftenant) (e: as in 'leave')

- Herman -

Lieutenant

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