11 words most Nigerians mispronounce everyday

There are several English words which many mispronounce on a daily basis. Here are some of them, and the proper way to pronounce them:

11 words most Nigerians mispronounce everyday

1. Niche

A niche can be defined as a place, employment, status, or activity for which a person or thing is best fitted.

There are two pronunciations of the word: 'Neesh' and 'Nitch' Most people use 'nitch', 'neesh' is a more recent pronunciation.

2. Gala

Gala does not refer to the beef sausage, which is common in Nigeria, it refers in this case to a festive celebration.

The pronunciation differs in most cases, some dictionaries use: "gay-la", some use "gah-la," but "gay-la" is preferred in most cases.

3. Valet

A valet is an employee of a hotel or a public facility who performs personal services for customers, usually they are commonly those who help in getting cars parked.

The Merriam-Webster says this word should be pronounced "val-ett," though most of people tend to stick with "val-ay."

4. Banal

Banal refers to something boring or ordinary, not interesting. Many people pronounce it as "bay-nul" or "bay-nal".

While it might feel weird to say it like this, the correct pronunciation is "buh-nal."

5. Flaccid

The word flaccid is an adjective that describes something that is not firm, not hard or solid.

Unlike what most people think, this word actually doesn't rhyme with "acid." The proper pronunciation is "flak-sed," not "flas-sid."

6. Quasi

Quasi refers to when something is in some way or sense but not in a true, direct, or complete way. Mostly incomplete.

According to the Merriam-Webster, Oxford, and MacMillan dictionaries agree: This word is pronounced "kway-zai," not "kwah-zai."

7. Fuel

This refers to material such as coal, gas, or oil that is burned to produce heat or power. It can also refer to something that sustains or keeps a thing going.

It is usually pronounced as "fu-el," however the correct pronunciation is "few-l."

8. Gigantic

Gigantic is an adjective which means of very great size or extent; huge or enormous. Its synonyms include: huge, enormous, vast, extensive, expansive, broad, wide and so on.

It is usually pronounced as "jai-jan-tic." However, the proper way to pronounce this word is 'jai-gan-tik'. The 'g' in the middle is pronounced like the first letter of the word 'goat'.

9. Prelude

A prelude is an introductory performance, action, or event preceding and preparing for the principal or a more important matter

The common pronunciation is "pray-lood," but the proper pronunciation is "prell-yood."

10. Antarctic

The Antarctic is something of or relating to the south pole or to the region near it. For most people it is tempting to drop that first "c," and pronounce it as "Ant-ar-tik".

However, the correct way to pronounce it is "Ant-ark-tik."

11. Stipend

A stipend is a form of salary, such as for an internship or apprenticeship. It is often distinct from a wage or a salary because it does not necessarily represent payment for work performed.

Instead it represents a payment that enables somebody to be exempt partly or wholly from waged or salaried employment in order to undertake a role that is normally unpaid.

It is pronounced "stai-pend" and not "sti-pend."