really random
 

This is probably the dumbest, most random question on the entire site, but i have always wondered! How do you pronounce the Greek letter Xi? Is it pronounced the same way as Chi?

Delta Delta Delta Phi Beta Chapter "Let us steadfastly love one another"

Xi can be pronunced two ways ....
zee as in Alpha Xi Delta
or
Zi as in Theta Xi

Yeah - I've only heard it pronounced "zi"

Re: Curious
 

Well, considering many words in the English language are pronounced differently in different areas of the country, I guess we can assume the same can be said for words/letters we are not native speakers of! :rolleyes:

How do you pronounce the X in your org's name? Because technically, in Greek, it's pronounced "key" - with a slight throaty, almost rolling of the 'k' sound. So if you pronounce it 'ch-eye' like my org does, maybe you shouldn't have crossed???

[/b*tchiness]

phi would be a great example..........I think there are some usage rules for that one.

I was told that the REAL Greek pronunciation of phi is fee, which is why Alpha Phi is Alpha FEE. If Gamma Phi was founded on the same campus, then why is Gamma Phi Beta, Gamma FYE Beta?

Re: Curious
 

because most new members aren't forced to learn the greek alphabet or recite it outloud. Most know it anyway, but that confusion is pretty common, especially when "xi" can be pronounced either Zee or Zie

I was a Nanny for a family that was Greek and they explained the PHi thing to me. It is pronounces fee if there is nothing following it. and FYE if there is a letter/word after it.

That's interesting. So does that mean that Pi Beta Phi would really be pronounced Pye Bayta Fee/Pye Fee? What about other letters that rhyme with Phi? Would Sigma Chi really be pronounced Sigma Kee?

Three ways, actually. The two anglicized pronunciations you note and the Greek pronunciation: "ksee."

MysticCat, you beat me to it!!!

I was told that our Founders originally pronounced it as "ksee." One of our older alumnae won't say, "zee" - she always says, "Alpha ksee Delta."

ETA: So, technically, should it be pronounced, "Theta ksee?"

Abundant sense. The idea that F is pronounced "fee" or "fie" depending on whether vowels or whatever follow it is a Greek Urban legend that simply refuses to die. In Greek, F is always pronounced "fee." Always.

And yes, in Greek X, P, C and Y are pronounced "ksee" (pronounce both the "k" and the "s"), "pee," "khee" (think a Scottish or German "ch" sound), and "psee" (pronounce both the "p" and the "s").

Edited to correct spelling.

Interesting AXiD670. It's a classic example of how we have anglicized the names of Greek letters. While English speakers are quite used to having "ks" and "ps" sounds in the middle or at the end of words ("axiom" and "trips"), we are not used to beginning words with such "strange" consonant combinations. So, we dropped the first consonant and ended up with "zee" (like "xylophone") and "see."

Of course, unlike many European languages, we are also used to the letter "I," when standing alone, representing the diphthong "eye" rather than single vowel "ee." So, from "ksee" to "zeye" and from "psee" to "seye."

The truth is, we have anglicized the names of most if not all of the Greek letters. Even "alpha" should really be "ahlpha." So the correct prounciation for any particular GLO is the pronunciation that particular GLO has chosen to use.

I was told that we strayed away from saying "Alpha ksee Delta" because if you say it together too quickly, it sounds like "Al-f*ck-see Delta" -- not exactly what we want to be saying! I've met old alumnae who say it the old way, too.

Re: Curious
 

It's because I didn't cross.

I was initiated. :rolleyes:

Well, not always.

When F is followed by a vowel in groups using 2 letters, it's Fee. In three letter groups, when F is followed by a vowel and your badge is on the moon, it's pronounced Fye. But if Betty Crocker was a member of your group then it's Fee. If your ritual is in the library of congress, it's Fye again, except if one of your alumni was a high ranking elected official and used his/her connections to have it removed, in which case it's Fee.

My pizza guy delivers to the Greek Orthodox church and that's how he explained it to me.

wptw

I've missed your sage presence around here, wptw! Very nice to see you again :)

thanks...i almost spit out my dinner!!!!

Why? It's the truth!!

I heard if from a depledged high school dropout at Jiffy Lube.

LOL

Hrm...
The only letters I've seen with alternate pronunciations are X and F, according to new member charts that show Greek letters and their pronunciations (from various GLO's).

And I've always heard that it was based on what letter came *before* the letter in question. For example, it is Alpha Xi Delta with a "Zee" sound because the letter X is preceded by a vowel. So it makes sense that Alpha Phi would be "Fee," Gamma Phi Beta would be "Feye," and Theta Xi would be "Zeye."

My only question is this:
Is Alpha Epsilon Phi with a "Fee" or "Feye" sound? By that one always confused, I am.

Alpha Phi may be Alpha Fee, but Alpha Phi Alpha is Alpha FYE Alpha.

Maybe there's another "rule" that if it is sandwiched by two vowels it is "FYE" and not FEE? :confused: :p

The http://www.greekchat.net/gcforums/images/top_search.gif button is your friend!

Yacking about Pronunciation Thread #1

Yacking about Pronunciation Thread #2

Yacking about Pronunciation Thread #3

That's why I love you so much, S!

so
 

is it fee fi foe fum, OR fi fee foe fum?



for the alpha xi delta,
it is pronounced alpha epsilon fye(rhymes with pie)

I stand corrected, chastened and, as always, awed. I can only plead misunderstanding because the way your pizza guy explained it isn't how Colin Ferrell did it in "Alexander."

From whom did you hear this?

Well, since you asked, the rule for 3 letter groups is as follows…

Vowel - letter - Consonant = “eee”
Consonant - letter - Consonant = “eye”
Vowel - letter - Vowel = “Marvin”
Consonant - letter - Vowel = “Boogabooga”

That’s why AXD is Alpha Zeee Delta, while GFB is Gamma Pheye Beta.

AFA is Alpha Marvin Alpha, and DKE is Delta Boogabooga Epsilon.

By that explanation, confused, you should no longer be, young jedi.

wptw

Seriously folks, repeat it softly to yourselves a few times: Pronunciation has nothing to do with preceding or succeeding letters. Some groups like to use the Anglicized pronunciations. Some groups prefer the original Greek pronunciations. Simple as that. Tell your friends. Tell your nanny.

Because we are better and it sounds better.

DUH.

I've heard that if your GLO was founded at Rutgers you don't have any manners on the interweb. Why is this? I am still learning my RGLO terminology.

It's because Rutgers banned the color pink. Those who are not exposed to pink on a regular basis lack manners on the interweb because they lack the vital pheremones that make people happy. All you need to know to understand RGLOs is that there is no "p-i-n-k" in their lives. If you see the word "pink" referenced by someone in a RGLO they really mean "I wish I went to school somewhere else."

Well, in the case of everything I know to be greek

Alpha Fee

Alpha Fye Delta


Yes, the pronunciation does depend on if the Phi is followed by another letter or not. Accept it and let it go.

We have a Greek brother. No, a REAL Greek. He took exception to our 'greek' alphabet because it is not at all 'THE' greek alphabet. We didn't require him to learn ours under the understanding that he "know how to pronounce them so as to not offend another GLO".

So your pizza guy is right, if we were in Greece. You'll find that the american greek system is very different than anything that has to do with actual greeks.

See this is
the reason why
we should never
have colonies in Greece.
Imagine what would
happen if we have
a convention and
there is a big fight
about Phi?

water just came up my noise. thanks.

Allow me to retort:
[Incorrect and completely unsupported statement]! Accept it and let it go! Deal with it! Period! End of discussion! [other lame and utterly useless imperative device used by message board posters to attempt end the discussion early thus distracting attention from the fact that the statement is absolute bollocks]!

Find me one published source that supports your statement about pronunciation. An article. An internet link. A greek language textbook. Anything. Until then, I will EXcept your comments and let them go.

Hey Mr. Literal: I understand that sarcasm tends to lose some of its sharp edge in the wee dark hours of the morning, so get a few winks, have a cup of coffee and read it again by light of day. Hint: The pizza guy was a metaphorical figure.

Thanks for the tutorial on the American Greek system though. :rolleyes:

I’m dying to hear how the Greek alphabet is not the REAL Greek alphabet, and how ethnic greek members of fraternities and sororities have to change their pronunciations so as not to offend other GLO members.

wptw:

You mean you want really big boobs and an even bigger forehead?

No one is insulted if you don't know something about a type of GLO other than your own. And no one would be insulted if a non-NPC Greek said, for example, "what does suicide bidding mean?" We've had discussions on here about how NPHC rush and NPC rush and IFC rush are all totally different and everyone's been respectful and learned something.

But it's when you say OMGWTF HOW CAN YOU BE A MEMBER WITHOUT KNOWING SO AND SO that people tend to get a little jacked.

You are so so wise. I hope one day I will be able to interpret like you. ;)

Some of you need to visit a Turkish bathhouse and get a nice little massage...maybe a full service massage...and relax because you're getting stressed over the most insignificant thing ever.

-Rudey

I'm there if you're paying. How generous of you!