Britons often tie their tongues with an array of foreign words, struggling to pronounce everyday terms like “hygge,” “quinoa,” and “croissant,”, reveals fresh research.
A survey engaging 2,000 adults has brought to light additional pronunciation challenges posed by such words as the Greek dish “gyros,” the French grape “sauvignon,” and the delectable Vietnamese noodle soup “pho.”
Even usual French sayings such as “rendezvous,” “faux pas,” and “pain au chocolat” are causing stumbles.
The stats show that three in every ten individuals confess to frequently butchering the pronunciation of foreign phrases.
It also emerged that 21 per cent never speak in the native tongue when abroad. And 5 per cent say that when eating in a restaurant they will typically point to something on a menu, rather than risking the embarrassment of saying it wrong out loud.
Although a quarter of those surveyed believe Britons are “the worst” at correctly articulating non-English terms an overwhelming majority say it’s important to try and make the effort.
To help improve their pronunciation over a third have turned to online tutorials to master the correct way to say certain words, while some prefer the old-fashioned method of repetition and practice.
The study also found 53 per cent feel embarrassed whenever they knowingly mispronounce a foreign word in front of others. Two thirds admit they have been called out on it by someone they were with. Although this left them red-faced they also appreciated the correction.
In response to this, the bakery brand, St Pierre, has kicked off its “Eat Avec Respect” campaign to inspire people to appreciate cultural diversity through cuisine.
A representative for St Pierre, who commissioned the study, commented: “Mispronouncing foreign words is a relatable struggle for many of us.”
They added: “From stumbling over ‘croissant’ to hesitating before attempting ‘gnocchi,’ it’s a testament to the richness and diversity of languages. And it’s not just about getting it right it’s about showing respect for the culture and making an effort.”