How do you pronounce "helicon?"

Tubajug · Post by **Tubajug** » Thu Mar 09, 2017 11:43 am

I'm curious how folks pronounce "helicon" as I've heard it several different ways. I've tried my best to "spell" them out how I've heard it pronounced. That and I've always wanted to try and create a poll for a thread. If you select "other" please try to spell it out for us. Cast your vote!

Michael Bush · Post by **Michael Bush** » Thu Mar 09, 2017 12:19 pm

HELL ih kahn, accent on the first syllable, short o (rather than the short a of pelican) in the last.

Donn · Post by **Donn** » Thu Mar 09, 2017 1:36 pm

Same as Michael Bush above - or as the dictionary that came with my computer puts it, ˈhɛləˌkɑn.

bort · Post by **bort** » Thu Mar 09, 2017 1:45 pm

Michael Bush wrote:HELL ih kahn, accent on the first syllable, short o (rather than the short a of pelican) in the last.

^ This. Never imagined there was another way to say it!

Michael Bush · Post by **Michael Bush** » Thu Mar 09, 2017 2:08 pm

The second option I can see people doing, though I wouldn't.

People seriously say hell-ih-CONN, though? Half of us? (Small sample size so far, though.) I find that surprising.

Donn · Post by **Donn** » Thu Mar 09, 2017 2:36 pm

Michael Bush wrote:People seriously say hell-ih-CONN, though? Half of us? (Small sample size so far, though.) I find that surprising.

If its presence on the list didn't sort of imply someone pronounces it that way, I'd chalk it up to 8 people who stopped reading before the part about "accent on the conn" sank in.

TheGoyWonder · Post by **TheGoyWonder** » Thu Mar 09, 2017 2:54 pm

Like "helicopter". easy.

now how do you pronouce "Cerveny"???

Three Valves · Post by **Three Valves** » Thu Mar 09, 2017 2:58 pm

TheGoyWonder wrote:Like "helicopter". easy.

At Ft Rucker they said "Hee-lee-o-cop-tah!!"

sousaphonehero · Post by **sousaphonehero** » Thu Mar 09, 2017 3:11 pm

If you want to be really accurate... (At least in German)
Hail eee cone

NCSUSousa · Post by **NCSUSousa** » Thu Mar 09, 2017 3:19 pm

Donn wrote:
Michael Bush wrote:People seriously say hell-ih-CONN, though? Half of us? (Small sample size so far, though.) I find that surprising.
If its presence on the list didn't sort of imply someone pronounces it that way, I'd chalk it up to 8 people who stopped reading before the part about "accent on the conn" sank in.

That applies to my vote. Quick poll, quick response. The accent should be on the first syllable, not the last.

Ulli · Post by **Ulli** » Thu Mar 09, 2017 3:28 pm

Please look here:

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_der_IPA-Zeichen" target="_blank" target="_blank

Ulli · Post by **Ulli** » Thu Mar 09, 2017 3:31 pm

TheGoyWonder wrote:Like "helicopter". easy.

now how do you pronouce "Cerveny"???

Sher-ve- ny

Three Valves · Post by **Three Valves** » Thu Mar 09, 2017 3:42 pm

Sir Vinny

Craig Garner · Post by **Craig Garner** » Thu Mar 09, 2017 4:39 pm

[quote="TheGoyWonder"]Like "helicopter". easy.

Yup!

Donn · Post by **Donn** » Thu Mar 09, 2017 5:08 pm

sousaphonehero wrote:If you want to be really accurate... (At least in German)
Hail eee cone

That will be accurate only for those who pronounce it like German. English vowels are unique, so simply pronouncing those syllables as in English will give you a pronunciation that isn't like any language - ˈheɪliˌkoʊn - where I suppose the intended pronunciation is closer to ˈheliˌkon (though I would have guessed German would use shorter vowels.) But in any case, really accurate in English is ˈhɛləˌkɑn.

Tubaguyry · Post by **Tubaguyry** » Thu Mar 09, 2017 5:30 pm

TheGoyWonder wrote:Like "helicopter". easy.

now how do you pronouce "Cerveny"???

chair-VAIN-ee

DonShirer · Post by **DonShirer** » Thu Mar 09, 2017 5:57 pm

Accent on the "hell". Three dictionaries say second syllable is "uh" like the a in alone, but personally I like to honor the geometric shape from which it is derived and use a short i for the second syllable.

Ace · Post by **Ace** » Thu Mar 09, 2017 6:00 pm

Tubaguyry wrote:
TheGoyWonder wrote:Like "helicopter". easy.

now how do you pronouce "Cerveny"???
chair-VAIN-ee

You are close. According to my Czech born and raised neighbor, Cerveny is
pronounced CHAIR-vin-yee. It means the red one. The vin part is pronounced
as in venue. Ace

proam · Post by **proam** » Thu Mar 09, 2017 10:49 pm

HELL-uh-conn here.

Depending upon the performer and brand it can be: HELL-of-a-Conn

What sound is even associated with "ih"?

David Richoux · Post by **David Richoux** » Thu Mar 09, 2017 11:19 pm

Chimera, but please proceed. (this is such an in-joke I will be totally amazed if anybody gets it. please respond.)

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