Is It Acceptable to Pronounce the L in Salmon? Settling the Debate
Salmon is one of the most popular fish around. Its tender flaky pink flesh makes it a culinary favorite. But the pronunciation of this fish’s name has sparked an ongoing debate. Should we pronounce the “L” in salmon? Or leave it silent? In this article we’ll examine the origins of salmon’s name, regional pronunciation differences, and arguments on both sides to help resolve this fishy language dilemma.
Where Did the Word Salmon Come From?
Salmon originated from the Latin word salmo, meaning leaping fish. In Latin, the L was clearly pronounced. When the word entered Old French, it became saumon – the L was dropped from pronunciation. English later borrowed the French word, maintaining the silent L. Just like in calm and palm, the L in salmon faded out of fashion.
Many English food words like beef (boeuf in French) follow this pattern. The silent L stuck as salmon evolved across languages. While the spelling changed from samoun to salmon, the lost L sound remained.
Regional and Cultural Variations
Modern English encompasses numerous dialects and accents. Cultural backgrounds and geographic regions impact pronunciation. For some groups, saying salmon with the L sound comes naturally based on their linguistic heritage.
In parts of England and Scotland, pronouncing the L is common. These regional dialects preserve the Latin L pronunciation. For speakers of these varieties, keeping the L provides authenticity and nuance.
Social and individual preferences also influence pronunciation. Some salmon lovers simply think the word sounds better with the L pronounced. Others feel restoring the L honors the word’s etymology.
The Case for Pronouncing the L
Linguistic purists argue that including the L demonstrates respect for salmon’s Latin roots. Pronouncing it distinguishes salmon from phonologically similar words like sammon. This helps language learners grasp new vocabulary.
In Latin, the L was clearly articulated. Some believe that continuing to pronounce it preserves the authentic ancient pronunciation. It also adds dimensionality to the word compared to the flattened sah-mon version.
The Case for Not Pronouncing the L
Modern descriptive linguists examine how language is actively used rather than formalizing rules. Dictionaries list both pronunciations of salmon as valid. And English speech varies greatly worldwide.
Prescriptive grammar guides once declared that pronouncing the L was improper. But descriptive linguists focus on real-world usage, not decreeing standards. Through this lens, “correct” pronunciation reflects predominant contemporary usage.
Evidence shows salmon without the L remains common usage. The silent L pronunciation became rooted over centuries. Many words evolve new pronunciations without losing meaning.
Conclusion
The salmon pronunciation debate has rational arguments on both sides. Ultimately, English speakers can decide which version suits their background and tastes. Both pronunciations fall within commonly accepted language boundaries.
While the debate continues, don’t let the fishy dilemma detract from enjoying salmon’s iconic orange-pink meat. However you say it, salmon remains a delicious and nutritious fish. With two viable pronunciation options, you can confidently order or cook this seafood superstar no matter how you pronounce it.
FAQ
Can you pronounce salmon with the L?
Why is the L on salmon silent?
The reason the “l” is not pronounced in salmon is because the word came into the English language through Old French, where it was spelled as saumon.
Are you supposed to pronounce the L in Yolk?
Why is there an L salmon?
The unpronounced “l” absent from Middle English was later added as a Latinisation to make the word closer to its Latin root. The term salmon has mostly displaced its now dialectal synonym lax, in turn from Middle English: lax, from Old English: leax, from Proto-Germanic: *lahsaz from Proto-Indo-European: *lakso-.
How do you pronounce the L in salmon?
In Latin, the word for fish is salmo, and the L is pronounced. Even though the English word spelling changed from samoun to salmon, the pronunciation stayed the same, making the L silent. We are allowed to pronounce the L in Salmonella but are not supposed to pronounce the L in the fish, salmon. Who put the L in salmon?
How do you pronounce salmon?
“Salmon” should be pronounced with an L sound : r/The10thDentist The word comes ultimately from the Latin salmon, but we got it by way of French, as we did with so many other food words.
Why is the L in Salmon a silent word?
The “L” in salmon is historically silent because the word was borrowed directly from the French word “sauman” (even though the L is present in the original Latin word “salmōn”) Salmonella was named after Dr. Daniel E. Salmon, who did pronounce the L in his name. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Why do people say ‘l’ instead of ‘salmon’?
Even though the silent “L” is common, some argue that it should be pronounced to honor the word’s Latin roots. They believe dismissing the “L” disrespects the linguistic history of “salmon”. Others say that this way of pronouncing the word comes from regional dialects that keep the “L” sound or from personal preference.
Who put the L in salmon?
The “L” in salmon is historically silent because the word was borrowed directly from the French word “sauman” (even though the L is present in the original Latin word “salmōn”) Salmonella was named after Dr. Daniel E. Salmon, who did pronounce the L in his name.
Why does the word ‘salmon’ have a l sound?
This change could be due to the French influence on the English language, as well as the evolution of language over time. Some people argue that because the word “salmon” has a history of including the “l” sound, it should be pronounced that way.