Pronunciation of Caribbean

[Very Frequent Flyer]

What is the correct way of saying Caribbean? Living in Australia, I've heard many variations of this - Car-ree-bee-an and Car-rib-bean.

[BrusselsGirl07]

Whichever way you say it, it is a beautiful part of the world! Wish I was there right now instead of rainy cold Canberra!

[dmackay46]

Car - rib - bee - inn in the UK :cool:

[NorbertsNiece]

Tomayto, tomato......

 

:D

[katiel53]

ca-rib-be-un

[murfturf]

Syllabification: (Car·ib·be·an)

Pronunciation: /ˌkarəˈbēən, kəˈribēən/

 

 

There are two possible pronunciations of the word Caribbean, and both are used widely and acceptably in the US. In the Caribbean itself, the preferred pronunciation puts the stress on the -rib-. In Britain, speakers more often put the stress on the -be-, although in recent years, the other pronunciation has gained ground in Britain as the more ‘up-to-date’ and, to some, the more ‘correct’ pronunciation.

 

From Oxford Dictionaries :)

[Langley Cruisers]

DH grew up on the island of St. Lucia and he says "Care-u-bee-un".

[USU_Aggie]

Took a caribbean lit class. Heard authors from there say care uh bee un

 

Posted from my Android

[smoosh21]

Whichever way you say it, it is a beautiful part of the world! Wish I was there right now instead of rainy cold Canberra!

If you are cold in the Summer, I dont think I would want to be there in Winter

[dreamer976]

I've always wondered this myself and learned that both are accepted.

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

I call the movie "Pirates of the Car i BEE an", but call the cruise line Royal Ca RIB e an. In fact, I think the TV ads call it Royal Ca RIB e an.

 

I don't think it really matters, however.

[Very Frequent Flyer]

It doesn't matter I agree, but just like to see what the pronunciation should be.

[CruisinCat31]

Whichever way you say it, it is a beautiful part of the world! Wish I was there right now instead of rainy cold Canberra!

 

Canberra is a beautiful city, and I would think the two cool days you have experienced would have been a welcome relief after the hottest summer in years.

 

OP -if you are Australian, Caribbean is pronounced

 

Carribee (like wallaby) followed by 'un'

[avatheps]

car-ib-e-un. Carib from the indians that inhabited the islands.

[lady_cruiser]

What is the correct way of saying Caribbean? Living in Australia, I've heard many variations of this - Car-ree-bee-an and Car-rib-bean.

I prononce it the same way that I pronounce it when placing the word "Royal" in the front of it; as in, Royal Caribbean.

[RCI Cruisers 004]

Let's see....I just plowed over a foot of snow from the driveway, and it's a whopping 17 degrees out......I pronounce it....HEAVEN ! 57 days till the Freedom, but whose counting.

[lady_cruiser]

Let's see....I just plowed over a foot of snow from the driveway, and it's a whopping 17 degrees out......I pronounce it....HEAVEN ! 57 days till the Freedom, but whose counting.

Maybe you need to move south, say LOUISIANA!

[RCI Cruisers 004]

Maybe you need to move south, say LOUISIANA!

 

A couple years till retirement, then we are on our way. Looking over all the southern states . Thanks for the great advice !

[cb at sea]

I vary the way I say it....just like I say "Aunt" and "Ant"....depending on the words before and after...

 

I would say, "I'm going to the CA-rib-e-an", but, "The Car-A-be-an" was beautiful!"

[kernow]

In Britain its nearly always pronounced with the emphasis on the BE, if you phone the UK office that's how they refer to it too.

We've also noticed that on cruises dominated by British passengers even the CD has used the British pronunciation, whereas the same CD will use the US pronunciation on US cruises.

 

I don't think there is a right or wrong way.

 

Julie

[Mr Princess]

It's interesting to note that the 'English' spelling is with 1 'b', whilst the 'American' spelling is with 2 'b's.

RCL is spelt with 2'b's, therefore, even as an 'English' speaker I pronounce it as 'American' as that is how it is spelt in the compny name. Whereas, if I'm speaking about the geograhic area of the 'caribean' I use the English pronunciation! If that makes sense? :D

MP.