A recent study by word-finding experts at Unscrambler.com has found that thousands of South Africans are turning to Google to learn how to pronounce commonly mispronounced words. The research analysed Google Trends data and used the online research system Ahrefs to establish search volumes. It found that Porsche, Shein, and Worcestershire sauce are the top three words South Africans struggle with, attracting over 320,000 Google searches between January 1 and November 9.
The study revealed that Porsche topped the list with 121,200 searches, followed by the online fashion retailer Shein with 102,000 searches, and Worcestershire sauce with 97,200 searches. Other commonly mispronounced words included charcuterie, schedule, croissant, the Irish name Aoife, Curaçao, Saoirse, Huawei, Dachshund, jalapeno, acai, quinoa, and spaghetti. The research also provided a pronunciation guide for these words, which can be helpful for those who struggle with them.
According to Randoh Sallihall, spokesperson for Unscrambler Words, the findings show that even familiar brands, food items, and everyday words can leave people unsure of how to pronounce them. Sallihall said that irregular spelling is a common cause of mistakes in English, but word length seems to have no effect on the difficulty level. The study also found that pronunciation difficulties are not limited to one particular type of word.
The research revealed differences in provinces, with residents in Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape most frequently searching for the pronunciation of schedule. In Gauteng and Limpopo, Shein was the word people struggled with the most, while Worcestershire sauce topped the searches in the Northern Cape. The study also found that the Free State, Eastern Cape, and Northern Cape were the top three provinces searching for word pronunciations.
Sallihall said that some of the biggest pronunciation challenges come from English words, foreign words, names, food and drink, place names, and brands. The most difficult English words included Worcestershire sauce, schedule, and Dachshund, while charcuterie and croissant topped the list of foreign words. Saoirse and Aoife were among the names people struggled with, while Curaçao was the most searched place name.
Mispronouncing words can sometimes lead to embarrassing situations, particularly in professional environments. Sallihall encouraged South Africans to remain curious and improve their verbal communication skills. He said that best practices should be followed in work settings, especially if the work is related to communication.
The study's findings highlight the importance of being aware of pronunciation difficulties and taking steps to improve verbal communication skills. By being mindful of these challenges, South Africans can work to improve their communication and avoid embarrassing situations. The study's results can also be useful for educators and communication professionals who want to help people improve their language skills.
Key points
- Porsche, Shein, and Worcestershire sauce are the top three words South Africans struggle with.
- The study analysed Google Trends data and used Ahrefs to establish search volumes.
- Irregular spelling is a common cause of mistakes in English, but word length seems to have no effect on the difficulty level.
