Pronunciation question -- quixotic

fusangite said:
I would argue that Quixote is from peninsular Spanish; the x=sh cases are all in Nahua or Mayan areas, just as z=s there instead of z=th in peninsular Spanish.
That's only regional because that's how Spanish was pronounced in Spain at the time those areas were settled, and linguistic change on the periphery of a linguistic area is conservative. A lot of Nahua and Mayan words used the sh sound, so they used the letter that, at that time, had that sound. With the exception of the Indian influences on New World Spanish, the regional accents in the New World are fairly conservative and do a remarkable job of pinpointing when the area was settled by what linguistic influences are still in the area. Pronunciation, and use of vosear vs. tutear being some of the primary markers.
 

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Joshua Dyal said:
You do realize that you're not saying anything that I didn't already point out in the very first post of the thread, right? The conversation has very long ago moved on from what the dictionary says.
I'm aware of that. I was just chiming in on why I pronounce it how I do. Sorry for the bother.
 

Tewligan said:
I'm aware of that. I was just chiming in on why I pronounce it how I do. Sorry for the bother.
Ah, got it. I thought you were telling us something beyond that. My mistake, I interpreted too much.
 

I'm pretty sure that quixotic is actually pronounced:

Mxyzptlk

OR

Throat Warbler Mangrove

Take your pick. Either is acceptable.

Starman
 

This is the exact topic that I left an old Star Wars game over the "Quixotic Jedi" and it's pronunciation.

But I think Starman has it right :)
 



Joshua Dyal said:
Maybe someday my quixotic dream of everybody writing every language with the IPA will come true, but until then, kee ho tay is as close as you can render it so that English speakers who don't know or understand modern Spanish pronunciation can approximate it.

Hmm... I don't know if that sounds all that great. Ever had trouble deciphering a foreign accent? Imagine if they could convey that in writing, which the IPA lets you do. :)

--Impeesa--
 

Impeesa said:
Hmm... I don't know if that sounds all that great. Ever had trouble deciphering a foreign accent? Imagine if they could convey that in writing, which the IPA lets you do. :)
Well, I did say the dream was quixotic... ;)
 

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