Very Computer

What is the correct pronounciation of "Linux"?  Is it "Line-nucks" or
"Lin-nu-s"?  I once heard a librarian in the US called it "Line-nuck-s"
but heard other different pronounciation in other countries?

English is not my first language.  Pls clarify.  Thanks.

-al

In English the two most common pronunciations are, as you mention
"lin-nicks" and "line-uks" (or some variation thereof).

The "correct" version seems to vary depending on the group of people
with whom you associate. Local tradition tends to dominate over academic
reasoning.

The "lin-nicks" pronunciation is an anglicisation of Linus' .au file
where he pronounces it "Leen-noox". A change in vowels is typical of
anglicised words (or moving a name between any two languages, for that).
It preserves the original form with concessions for a more typical
combination of [American] English vowels.

The "line-uks" proponants generally use the rationale that because
"Linux" is derrived from Linus' name, it aught to be pronounced after
the american pronunciation of the name Linus.

There are numerous examples of both methods of transmission of a foreign
word into English.

AFAIK, Linus has not taken a stand for an "official" pronunciation.

The majority of people where I live seem to prefer "lin-nicks", which I
prefer. I've been exposed to numerous other languages and have lived
outside the U.S. for a few years, and to me it seems a more natural
pronunciation. Those with a stronger domestic background will probably
disagree.

If you wish to start a similar argument, ask if "Semper Fi" is
pronounced "Semper Fee" or "Semper Fie".

Quote:> What is the correct pronounciation of "Linux"?  Is it "Line-nucks" or
> "Lin-nu-s"?  I once heard a librarian in the US called it "Line-nuck-s"
> but heard other different pronounciation in other countries?
> English is not my first language.  Pls clarify.  Thanks.

Quote:

>What is the correct pronounciation of "Linux"?  Is it "Line-nucks" or
>"Lin-nu-s"?  I once heard a librarian in the US called it "Line-nuck-s"
>but heard other different pronounciation in other countries?

Ed

Quote:

>The "line-uks" proponants generally use the rationale that because
>"Linux" is derrived from Linus' name, it aught to be pronounced after
>the american pronunciation of the name Linus.

Do you?

JMY

: >
: >What is the correct pronounciation of "Linux"?  Is it "Line-nucks" or
: >"Lin-nu-s"?  I once heard a librarian in the US called it "Line-nuck-s"
: >but heard other different pronounciation in other countries?

On www.kernel.org, you'll find a directory SillySounds in the kernel
archives.  This includes a .au which says
 "Hello this is Linus Torvals and I pronounce Linux as Linux"

That should answer your question once and for all.

Jim

Unless you say, 'Moo-nicks' for Minix.

Quote:>JMY

Of course, these radical factioneers have never heard of Minix.

Quote:>Jim

Quote:>But, of course, you will get the radical "Lie-nicks" faction who will
>claim that Linux is actually pronouncing "Lie-nicks", but his accent makes
>it sound like "Leen-nucks", and that regardless of his accent, he is
>really saying, "Lie-nicks".

Actually, what I would like to know is whether "Linus" rhymes with
"Linux" when Linus himself says them.  If it does, that would kind of
suggest "Lie-nicks" as the most appropriate English pronunciation.
Given that only a single letter changes, rhyming "Linux" with "Linus"
really does strike me as the natural way to go in English, and it
sounds better to me too.
--
John Brock