The correct way to pronounce Nikon (knee con): For anyone who has never traveled to Japan or other countries in the world, the correct pronunciation for Nikon is with a long e like in...

AsiaPaul Loc: Vietnam

For anyone who has never traveled to Japan or other countries in the world, the correct pronunciation for Nikon is with a long e like in knee instead of the short i as in night as most Americans say it.

So the correct pronunciation is kneecon. Con is the same in both American English and Japanese.

It is the same pronunciation for All Nippon Airways. Nippon means Japan for the UHH members who do not know that.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Wrong forum for this supposedly erudite post over Japanese pronunciation.

I could correct many folks in their pronunciation of Paris... Parice or pariss as some US folks want to say it. The reality is Pari (s is mute) same as so many other words but what is the freaking point?

I lived for four year in Japan by the way.

Since I was taught Japanese by a young women the little I spoke at the time was 'feminine'...

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SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Asia, I agree with Wrongy. What does it matter how you say something in Japanese? If 99% of Americans say Nighcon, it becomes and accepted part of our lexicon and is thus an accepted form of pronunciation.
When in Japan maybe one can make an effort to say it the Japanese way, otherwise it's just not necessary, unless you're trying to appear snobbish!
There are almost a million people in the state of Montana, and I'll bet few can say it correctly, it is after all, not English!!
SS

blackest Loc: Ireland

SharpShooter wrote:

Asia, I agree with Wrongy. What does it matter how you say something in Japanese? If 99% of Americans say Nighcon, it becomes and accepted part of our lexicon and is thus an accepted form of pronunciation.
When in Japan maybe one can make an effort to say it the Japanese way, otherwise it's just not necessary, unless you're trying to appear snobbish!
There are almost a million people in the state of Montana, and I'll bet few can say it correctly, it is after all, not English!!
SS

English you say in Montana, it doesn't sound like any English I ever heard in England. Surely England should be the reference when it comes to pronunciation. :)

shagbat Loc: London

AsiaPaul wrote:

For anyone who has never traveled to Japan or other countries in the world, the correct pronunciation for Nikon is with a long e like in knee instead of the short i as in night as most Americans say it.

So the correct pronunciation is kneecon. Con is the same in both American English and Japanese.

It is the same pronunciation for All Nippon Airways. Nippon means Japan for the UHH members who do not know that.

Spot on Paul, I have always pondered that but never brought it up. My qualifications? I once had a Japanese g/friend, in London.
Other respondents are right in pointing out that if a pronunciation becomes the norm, in any language, it must be correct. At the end of the day, the Americans say Nie kon, we say N ih kon. I doubt that in communication we would not understand each other. All languages are constantly evolving. My tuppenceworth!

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

AsiaPaul wrote:

For anyone who has never traveled to Japan or other countries in the world, the correct pronunciation for Nikon is with a long e like in knee instead of the short i as in night as most Americans say it.

So the correct pronunciation is kneecon. Con is the same in both American English and Japanese.

It is the same pronunciation for All Nippon Airways. Nippon means Japan for the UHH members who do not know that.

Two-May-tow, Two-Mot-tow. Poe-tay-two, Poe-tay-ta. We probably have a few thousand words that are pure English that have pronunciations from state to state much less international pronounciation. How you pronounce it, simply shows your roots, foreign or domestic. Comparable to metrics use in the US. if you say Kneecon in the US someone will want to what country you are from.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

When in Rome...

Matt Granger got it right! LOL!

hj Loc: Florida

Personally I see nothing wrong with AsiaPaul sharing this information. He was enlightening us about a common photographic term/name in a photographic forum, but subsequent posts are devolving into debate or argument.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

AsiaPaul wrote:

For anyone who has never traveled to Japan or other countries in the world, the correct pronunciation for Nikon is with a long e like in knee instead of the short i as in night as most Americans say it.

So the correct pronunciation is kneecon. Con is the same in both American English and Japanese.

It is the same pronunciation for All Nippon Airways. Nippon means Japan for the UHH members who do not know that.

If that's how they want us to pronounce it, then they should spell it correctly - "Nikkon." A single "k" makes the following vowel long, so we're right, and Nikon (and the rest of the world) is wrong.

Next, we'll have to settle that other raging debate: ka' nun or ka known'.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

hj wrote:

Personally I see nothing wrong with AsiaPaul sharing this information. He was enlightening us about a common photographic term/name in a photographic forum, but subsequent posts are devolving into debate or argument.

Nobody has said Asia was wrong.
Maybe he needs to come back on and tell us exactly what his motives were?
If he was just trying to tell us how it's pronounced in Japan/Japonese, I can appreciate the information.
If he was indicating that we, here in the U.S. should pronounce it differently than current consensus pronunciation, then the different banter has been necessary.
For example how to pronounce the word Bokeh correctly, is definately a debatable thing since a fairly accurate Japonese pronounciation is the accepted born and exactly what that pronunciation is, needs to be established.
SS
SS

Tom G Loc: Atlanta, GA

Rongnongno wrote:

Wrong forum for this supposedly erudite post over Japanese pronunciation.

I could correct many folks in their pronunciation of Paris... Parice or pariss as some US folks want to say it. The reality is Pari (s is mute) same as so many other words but what is the freaking point?

I lived for four year in Japan by the way.

Since I was taught Japanese by a young women the little I spoke at the time was 'feminine'...

Ahh So, you speak feminine Japanese taught you by young women; Good for you, but four year not enough, maybe.

By the way, what does "Freaking" mean?

Sounds like another inane euphemism to me.

Also, how do you pronounce "Rongnongno"; and, what does it mean?

Another euphemism?

Ahh So...

shagbat Loc: London

hj wrote:

Personally I see nothing wrong with AsiaPaul sharing this information. He was enlightening us about a common photographic term/name in a photographic forum, but subsequent posts are devolving into debate or argument.

Totally agree with you.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Tom G wrote:

Ahh So, you speak feminine Japanese taught you by young women; Good for you, but four year not enough, maybe.

By the way, what does "Freaking" mean?

Sounds like another inane euphemism to me.

Also, how do you pronounce "Rongnongno"; and, what does it mean?

Another euphemism?

Ahh So...

Is there a Florida in another country? Or an area with big rocks to live under?

Just kidding!

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

It is common practice for residents of countries other than the country of manufacture, to pronounce a brand name differently. A few examples are, Porsche or Jaguars or Hyundai or Husqvarna.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

How about "Boston!"

There! Settled that argument!