A study of 2,000 British adults has identified the top 20 everyday words that people struggle to pronounce, with acai, segue and charcuterie topping the list. The research, commissioned by car manufacturer Škoda, found that other commonly mispronounced terms include quinoa, gnocchi and Worcestershire.
Common Mispronunciations and Corrections
The study revealed that 85% of Brits have had someone correct them after mispronouncing a word, leaving a quarter feeling embarrassed. As a result, 24% admitted they lack confidence when trying unfamiliar words, while 27% have knowingly continued to say a word incorrectly.
Kirsten Stagg, a spokesperson for Škoda, which commissioned the research after discovering that many people mispronounce the brand's name, said: "Sometimes, there are words that simply don't sound how they are spelt, and even everyday terms tend to catch people out."
Generational Differences in Attitudes
Attitudes towards mispronunciation vary across generations. More than half (53%) of Gen Z said a person's pronunciation would influence their impression of them, compared to just 24% of Boomers. Similarly, 57% of Gen Z have corrected others on their pronunciation, while only 29% of Boomers have done the same, according to the OnePoll data.
Among those who avoid correcting others, the most common reasons were not wanting to embarrass them (39%), not wanting to appear rude (35%) and not feeling it's their place to do so (33%).
Importance of Pronunciation and Campaign
The study also found that 85% of adults believe correct pronunciation is important, with 59% saying it helps avoid misunderstandings. Others think it shows respect for language (52%), makes them appear more knowledgeable (38%) and professional (34%). Nearly four in 10 said the way someone pronounces words can influence their impression of them.
It also emerged that 47% of adults believe words should be spelt the way they are said, but 30% credit social media for making them more aware of correct pronunciation. Stagg added: "As a brand whose name people haven't always found easy to pronounce, we know better than most that some words can be trickier than others. That's exactly why we've launched our 'Šhhhkoda' campaign… along the way, hopefully we can help more people discover how we say ours."
