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rule (lemmy.blahaj.zone)
submitted 11 months ago by to c/onehundredninetysix@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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[–] 1 point 11 months ago (2 children)

I don't think it's decided by the creator anymore then by the words making up the acronym either.

I mean, they got to name it... How it sounds is part of that...

Most just say it like it would sound, the creators pronunciation clearly lost.

How long have people been talking about how to pronounce gif?

I don't think there are any winners or losers here.

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  • [–] 2 points 11 months ago (3 children)

    I mean, they got to name it... How it sounds is part of that

    How it sounds is a lot more related to basic prononciation rules then the arbitrary whims of the inventor.

    In this case, he chose to name it GIF which is, believe it or not, pronounced gif in the English language. If he wanted to have it sound like jif, he should have named it JIF.

    Not to say that we don't sometimes disregard the rules for certain words. Ultimately a words meaning and prononciation is collectively decided through usage. I think collectively, we have chosen to ignore the creators lack of basic linguistic skills and prononce the word how it's written.

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  • [–] 1 point 11 months ago* (2 children)

    If you read my name, and I pointed out that your pronunciation was wrong, would you tell me my pronunciation is incorrect due to pronunciation rules rather than how my parents named me?

    Edit: and I'll just note, a soft g is very well defined, and is usually behind an e, i, or y, while a hard g is typically behind an a, o, or u, but let's focus on the whole "who gets to choose how a name is pronounced" bit for a moment.

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  • [–] 3 points 11 months ago (1 child)

    This g isn't behind anything, it's in front of an i. Add a t to the end of it, that's the most similar word in the entire language. The people using the word choose how it's pronounced, that's what language is.

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  • [–] 2 points 11 months ago (2 children)

    let's focus on the whole "who gets to choose how a name is pronounced"

    A words meaning and prononciation is collectively decided through usage.

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  • [–] 3 points 11 months ago

    A words meaning and prononciation is collectively decided through usage.

    I agree. I know a ton of people that say it one way, and a ton of people who say it the other. At this point, like many English words in a similar scenario, both pronunciations are valid. I prefer to use the creator's pronunciation, but I think saying it the other way is acceptable. At this point, everyone will know what you're talking about regardless of pronunciation.

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  • [–] -1 points 11 months ago (1 child)

    So the creator, the way a soft vs hard g is used in the English language, etc, none of that matters.

    Noted, enjoy your day.

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  • [–] 3 points 11 months ago

    Girl, gift, gig, giggle, giddy, gizzard, gibbon, girth, girdle.

    It's not uncommon.

    But yes, what matters most is how people prononce it. Even if this goes against what the creator wants.

    The main dictionary websites wouldn't have the hard g prononciation if the creators will was the defining factor.

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  • [–] -1 points 11 months ago (1 child)

    In this case, he chose to name it GIF which is, believe it or not, pronounced gif in the English language. If he wanted to have it sound like jif, he should have named it JIF.

    Incorrect. There are ZERO rules that decide whether a word starts with a hard g or a soft g.

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