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How would you pronounce Juliet?

161 replies

Silverbirchy · 25/05/2022 08:27

I posted about the name Juliet yesterday and it seems that there could be some confusion over pronunciation. So, how would you pronounce the name?

JULIE-et?
Julie-ET?

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TracyBeakerSoYeah · 27/05/2022 02:52

I know both a Juliet & a Juliette & they both pronounce it the same
Joo-lee-ET (emphasis on the end)

DramaAlpaca · 27/05/2022 02:45

pinklavenders · 25/05/2022 11:03

To me, there's a big difference in pronunciation between

Juliet, Isabel or Annabel

and

Juliette, Isabelle or Annabelle

The latter have a strong emphasis on the second syllable, highlighting by the double letters.

Yes, I agree with this.

Juliet is JOOL-yet, emphasis on first syllable.

Juliette is jooly-ETTE, emphasis on the second syllable.

I emphatically prefer Juliet Wink

muddyford · 25/05/2022 16:13

I'm with a PP who said the syllables are fairly even.

Tryagain2020 · 25/05/2022 16:10

Talipesmum · 25/05/2022 08:31

Julie-ET.

But I think I probably put a reasonably strong emphasis on both syllables. They’re quite evenly balanced with a slight extra on the -ET.

This

merryhouse · 25/05/2022 12:27

Okay, try saying Julietta. Now say it without the final schwa. That's the "julie-ET" version. The most emphasis is on the et.

Now say Julia. Now say it again but put your tongue in the "t" position as you finish. That's the "JU-liet" version. The most emphasis is on the ju.

I normally say JUliet, especially with Shakespeare because it balances ROmeo. Obviously not when Dire Straits is on.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 25/05/2022 12:12

The name Juliet always reminds me of when the Nurse calls for Juliet in the Bazz Luhrmann version of the movie

"HOOO LEEEEEE EEETTTTTTTTT"

KirstenBlest · 25/05/2022 12:03

I think I say it like I say Julia but with a t on the end
Jooli-uh
Jooli-ut

Isn't it a bit like Eleanor, where some say EL-uh-nor and others say Ellen-OR?

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 25/05/2022 11:50

Thinking about it more, I don't think the "ET" is especially emphasised though - each syllable seems almost the same?

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 25/05/2022 11:48

"Julie - ET" for both spellings for me. But with either pronunciation it's a gorgeous name (although I do much prefer the Juliet spelling unless you are French).

Floydthebarber · 25/05/2022 11:21

WhoppingBigBackside · 25/05/2022 11:01

@Floydthebarber , but you said JulieUT.

Yes, everyone I heard saying the name said Julie ut. Perhaps its growing up in Birmingham, it is not an accent known for its nuanced pronunciation.

Now I have aspirations beyond the restrictions of my brummie accent, I would pronounce it Julie-ette. Sounds really pretty

C152 · 25/05/2022 11:21

AfterSchoolWorry · 25/05/2022 08:32

Joolee ette

No emphasis on any syllable

This

pinklavenders · 25/05/2022 11:14

If that’s the case, how come everyone tries to spell my DD’s name (from the first list) like the version in the second list?

Because they're uneducated Wink

Thebeastofsleep · 25/05/2022 11:10

Talipesmum · 25/05/2022 08:31

Julie-ET.

But I think I probably put a reasonably strong emphasis on both syllables. They’re quite evenly balanced with a slight extra on the -ET.

This. I don't actually emphasize either syllable.

Lavenderlast · 25/05/2022 11:09

Jou-lea-ET

QueenOfThorns · 25/05/2022 11:08

pinklavenders · 25/05/2022 11:03

To me, there's a big difference in pronunciation between

Juliet, Isabel or Annabel

and

Juliette, Isabelle or Annabelle

The latter have a strong emphasis on the second syllable, highlighting by the double letters.

If that’s the case, how come everyone tries to spell my DD’s name (from the first list) like the version in the second list? They are pronounced identically in my opinion, or this wouldn’t keep happening.

popcorndiva · 25/05/2022 11:07

Jew-lee-et

butimjayigetaway · 25/05/2022 11:04

TheDoveFromAboveCooCoo · 25/05/2022 08:34

I'm so confused. Surely there is only one way to pronounce Juliet?

I keep saying it over and over in my head and I can't hear a difference?

Say Romeo & Juliet

Did you say it all quickly like juliet, or did you emphasise the ette part of Juliette?

pinklavenders · 25/05/2022 11:03

To me, there's a big difference in pronunciation between

Juliet, Isabel or Annabel

and

Juliette, Isabelle or Annabelle

The latter have a strong emphasis on the second syllable, highlighting by the double letters.

Pemba · 25/05/2022 11:01

And Mark Knopfler obviously said it that way to fit the music.

WhoppingBigBackside · 25/05/2022 11:01

@Floydthebarber , but you said JulieUT.

Pemba · 25/05/2022 10:59

I have a relative named Juliet, I think I normally say JOO-lee-et (and, I think her parents do as well) but occasionally I will say joolee-ET. I think the pronunciations are pretty interchangeable really, it's just a question of emphasis.

SpringIntoChaos · 25/05/2022 10:58

Is anyone else singing Dire Straights in their head now? 🤣

mewkins · 25/05/2022 10:56

Loginmystery · 25/05/2022 08:53

Like Mark Knophler - the second one

Obviously. In fact I think I would sing it every time I said it.

SpringIntoChaos · 25/05/2022 10:54

The second one.

watcherintherye · 25/05/2022 10:50

Juliet = Joo-lyet

Juliette = Julie-ette