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Cay....correct way to pronounce?


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Coco Cay

 

Is it Cay like 'way' or Cay like 'key'?

 

I know it's a little island like the Florida Keys but I have seen differing advice about pronounciation.

 

I hope this isn't a too stupid question?

 

Jane

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  • 2 years later...

Here's how I separate out the pronunciation regarding Cay.

If it is spelled CAY as in Half Moon Cay then I say "kay". If it is spelled Caye as in Caye Caulker in Belize then I say "key". I haven't had anyone laughing at me yet.

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The way I understand it from living with my Spanish-speaking counterparts down here is....

 

If you are pronouncing the word in Spanish, the proper pronunciation is "kay."

 

However, since most islands (as we know them) are preceeded or proceeded with English words like "Little Stirrup Cay," the proper English pronunciation is "key."

 

This is how the Florida Keys came to be spelled K-E-Y, from the English pronunciation of the word.

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It is actually pronounced "KEY". You can use either one, however, having spent several years in the Bahamas, whenever we would hear someone say " cay" we would know they were tourists. LOL.

 

Agree with the above. We lived in the Caribbean for almost 5 years, both in the Bahamas & St. Maarten, traveling to lots of other islands while there. Locals pronounce it Key, tourists pronounce it Cay. As one poster suggested; think of Key West in FL & that will keep you on track.

Happy Sailing

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The way I understand it from living with my Spanish-speaking counterparts down here is....

 

If you are pronouncing the word in Spanish, the proper pronunciation is "kay."

 

However, since most islands (as we know them) are preceeded or proceeded with English words like "Little Stirrup Cay," the proper English pronunciation is "key."

 

This is how the Florida Keys came to be spelled K-E-Y, from the English pronunciation of the word.

 

I am bi-lingual and agree with this assessment.

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As it was explained to me a few years ago by an RCI CD, RCI purposely says it as "cay" when referring to Coco Cay.

 

That is correct since the entire name is Spanish. The English translation is Coconut Key. If you refer to it by it's charted name, Little Stirrup Cay, you would pronounce cay as key.

 

Clear as mud?

 

Bottom line, both pronunciations are correct when speaking Spanglish.

Edited by Aquahound
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That is correct since the entire name is Spanish. The English translation is Coconut Key. If you refer to it by it's charted name, Little Stirrup Cay, you would pronounce cay as key.

 

Clear as mud?

 

Bottom line, both pronunciations are correct when speaking Spanglish.

 

Thanks for the insight!

 

My first trip to CoCo Cay the tour guide on the jet skis told us the correct pronunciation is "key" but last time we were there the guide on the jet skis said it is "kay." This is after I thought I was wicked smaht saying "key." I prefer "kay" anyway but felt sufficiently like a donkey with 95%+ saying "kay." In the end I just had a ton of CoCo Locos and didn't care what anyone thought. :cool:

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When we were staying in the Florida Keys, we ate at a restaurant called The Quay. I figured it was pronounced KEY, but everyone who worked there pronounced it KWAY.:confused:

 

Now this one is totally opposite. Actually the proper Spanish pronunciation for that word is KEY. "KWAY" is only from English speakers saying it as it's spelled. You were correct. The more appropriate English translation would be "KAY."

Edited by Aquahound
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