Monday, July 31

Canadian pronunciation of the word coupon

Traditionally, the retention of the diphthong [ɪu] (as in cute [kɪut]) is said to distinguish Canadian English speakers from American English speakers. Thus we assume the Canadian pronunciation of coupon should retain the glide and be pronounced [kɪupɑn]. However, as the word coupon never contained the [ɪu] sound, its "retention" in this word is actually a hypercorrection, and the true Canadian pronunciation of coupon is the same as the phonology in noon [kupɑn].

(ENGL 320: History of the English Language)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

We've had this discussion in my family for years.
I never knew that it was a "Canadian" variation.
I still think the "u" pronunciation is correct!