General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCome ON, Nicolle.
It's AN-ti-Fa. Not an-TI-Fa. As in ANti-fascist.
Remember the emphasis corrections from Ka-MAH-la to KAH-ma-la?
Defending this as a to-MAY-to / to-MAH-to issue doesn't APply to emPHAsis in human and group names.
Respect.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(119,273 posts)Don't we have bigger fish to fry? And if you follow the general rules of English pronunciation, an-TI-fa is not incorrect.
ancianita
(37,672 posts)It comes out of my being an English teacher who taught pronunciation of new words back in the day. Especially in the context of reading and "getting" names and word emphases right.
Given that context, to me, it's not nitpicking.
It's about respecting the effort to get names and words right.
I'm standing my English teacher ground on this.
Happy Hoosier
(8,134 posts)My English Professor wife pronounces anTIfa, so you might get an argument from her. So does her linguist friend.
ancianita
(37,672 posts)I'm not here to battle everyone, just to make what a valid pronunciation point. I've heard antifa people pronounce it ANtifa, so I'll go with them.
I certainly wouldn't argue with Kamala Harris about what emPHAsis I prefer. The British say la-BOR-a-tree, and I won't say a word. A name, however, should be pronounced the way the self-named say their name.
I used to say NI-ger, but then learned that its people say nee-JAIR, so I made the change.
Happy Hoosier
(8,134 posts)Her response: It's a kinda sorta portmanteau and so a newly made word. You can put the emphasis where it is comfortable to you. What is "correct" is really determined by common usage. We don't pronounce many words the way our ancestors did and neither of us are wrong. There is a usage argument to be made about emphasis on the first syllable in order to maintain connection to the root word, but again, common usage rules on a new word. Besides, the point is extremely minor on the face of black men being murdered. Say it the way you like and fight fascists.
That woman could do a lot better than me. I'm lucky.
ancianita
(37,672 posts)My English professor husband takes a different stance from your professor wife. (I've taught at university level, as well.)
Of course it's extremely minor compared to the ruination all around us.
I also your perspective on its place in the larger picture. I was startled by Nicolle's pronunciation, is all.
Cuz (usage) Democrats handle both big and small issues at the same time.
Thanks for your post.
11 Bravo
(24,045 posts)(Retired teacher here. I fell you.)
whistler162
(11,155 posts)Tommy_Carcetti
(43,440 posts)As the "Antifa" name has been forever tainted with the association with a non-existent organization and images of sketchy anarchists/instigators engaging in property damage during otherwise peaceful demonstrations.
Being against fascism is the normal, default position of the majority of people in this country. No need to create special names for what amounts to basic common sense.
ancianita
(37,672 posts)I say ANTI-fascist, and so the shortened form is ANtifa. Common sense.
tblue37
(66,016 posts)ancianita
(37,672 posts)Squinch
(52,110 posts)essentially the same kind of thing.
ancianita
(37,672 posts)Squinch
(52,110 posts)Response to ancianita (Original post)
Totally Tunsie This message was self-deleted by its author.
redstateblues
(10,565 posts)It's all the same
ancianita
(37,672 posts)Not the same when you'd say PO-tay-to/PO-tah-to.