[Klug-general] Pronunciation of Linux

[Mike Evans]

There are only a few things certain about pronunciation in English.  One 
is that spelling and pronunciation are only vaguely related. Diversity 
is a great thing: so long as communication is successful.

I note that there are also alternative pronunciations of Debian: with 
Deebian and Debbian being the most common, and Ubuntu seems to drift 
between Youbuntu and Oobuntu, depending on how authentically African the 
speaker wishes to sound.

There is a long tradition of the English using pronunciation as a 
distinguishing identifier of class, education and origin.  Thus it is 
that a northerner will declare that has home is his kassle, whereas a 
southerner's home is his cahsle.  Both will think they are right and the 
other wrong, which gives each the opportunity to feel in some way 
superior to the other.

Personally I choose the pronunciation favoured by Linus Torvalds, simply 
because he created the word.  I don't look down on people who prefer 
another pronunciation and will happily have a conversation pronouncing 
it one way with someone who pronounces it another. The people I do sneer 
at are the ones like the owner of our local copy shop.  When I said that 
I use Linnux she looked confused and then said 'oh you mean Lynux'.  But 
then - she is fat, sweaty and ugly as well as ignorant :)

MikeE