Porsche is a 2 syllable word, is that not in our FAQ? If it isn't, it should be. It is a family name and that is how the family pronounces it.

 

Bet you don't pronounce Volkswagen VolksVargen or Braun as Brown

 

I always say Porsch, but the OPC always give me Porscha

 

hi kez,

it's quite easy... PORSCHE as you read it...
I know that's rude...

Seriously... Porsch is incorrect... you have to pronounce the "e" at the end, too.
and our "e" sounds like "eh"... at least a bit...

see ya,
cel.

 

I've had my name mis-pronounced on many occasions throughout my life, AND I DON'T LIKE IT ONE BIT. So I'm pretty sensitive about pronouncing other people's names correctly. Why go out of your way to appear ignorant?

 

...I always pronounced it "Porsch"...until a good friend...and native of Germany corrected me many years ago. It is pronounced "Porscha" in the old country...and that is the correct pronounciation of PORSCHE.

 

ahh! now I got it! ...what you meant Porsch"a"... that's right, the english "a" sounds (spoken) similar to the german letter "e"...
...so Porscha is pretty close... and yes K-man S is right... it's a two syllable word!

But it's easy for me to say that... I know... by the way the french also say "la Porsch"... if it's o.k. with you... who cares...?
I don't wanna know how many english/american brand names we pronounce incorrectly

Cel.

 

No offense to the Brits,but they screw it up all the time. Just listen to them announce the races from Europe.

 

This will vary around the UK no doubt. Just like 'bath', 'master' ... and a few other words.
I say Porsch (Tess, even though I live in South Manchester/North Cheshire).

Old Dude - and the US people dont screw up then. I have worked in several US states and from experience the pronunciation varies there significantly.

 

If a US person says "Porsch" 1 syllable we think they are a country hick living in a trailer drinking Busch beer and watching Nascar, but not that we'd stereotype anyone due to their pronounciation or lack thereof...

 

K-Man S - the stereotype reference is not relevant

 

There's only one way to pronounce it correctly and that's with two syllables. Should be (hopefully) a lopsided poll.

 

Another stereotype I'm afraid . . .

This brings to mind an old joke about a young woman (blonde? ) who told the salesman at a car dealer that she wanted a "por-tee-uh".

When he appeared confused she spelled it out for him: "P O R S C H E". Still confused, he asked her why she pronounced it "porteeuh".

"Well," she replied somewhat indignantly, "I read that you are supposed to pronounce it like 'Portia,' you know, the woman in the play by Shakespeare."

 

now then lad, we speek reet proper ere, and if thi ses Porsha rownd these parts thow'd be a reet posh sod. So weed say Porsh an then nay get our arse tanned from't posh uns.

That means Roger you must have lived in slums at some time

 

Well sed lad!

 

For a long time I thought pronouncing Porsche as a two syllable word was a bit affected, untill I had occasion to do some work for PCNA. There was no question that they wanted their name pronounced correctly and from then on I have always used Porsch a. It is after all their name and it is simply rude to pronounce it incorrectly.

 

:banana:

 

Hilarious.

I think our Euro rejecting British brothers are just hung up on their pounds and stones.

History is history and we are all jolly good friends now, but if some country launched rockets at us we might not bend over backwards to pronounce words native to their land correctly.

Kind of like how Americans say Jagwire. LOL.

Still angry over that whole spat over the east coast of the US. What we Californians refer to as "Western France". New York City, Boston. Fine French cities.

God help us if they start selling "Vahx-Halls" over here, by the way.

I will keep saying Freants in as nasally a tone as I can muster (no Frahnce for this Yank), and you can say Porsh. Deal?

 

Its not an optional matter or one for opinions. Either you are informed and say it correctly or you are wrong. I correct non-owners while trying not to be pompous and while giving them the "family name" reasoning. With owners who say Porsh, I talk about the weather.

 

You really don't want to buy a Vauxhall - it's a GM company.

 

Perhaps its just me, but I always feel a bit self conscious pronouncing Porsche correctly ...

Why do you feel self-conscious? Because your pronouncing it correctly

Where is that t-shirt? My wife has it so it must be true!

Porsch a' is a two syllable word?

 

I say Porsh-ah when I'm referring to the make. Porsh when I'm referring to my car. 'Cuz I can call my car whatever I want, but I respect the proper name pronunciation of the automaker. Context.

 

I mix it up; depends on the company. Some people get annoyed with "Porscha," others, typically enthusiasts and natives, get annoyed with the Americanized version. I aim to please.

 

Same here - depends on the audience. Some people will think you are trying to be pompous if you pronounce it with the "a". Obviously, if I am talking with other Porsche owners or enthusiasts, I will use the correct pronunciation.

 

In Italy all say PORSCH, me too

 

Fine. I will call my GranTurismo 200 a "Vesp" from now on.

 

I'll use the two syllable pronunciation, but if I'm speaking with someone and they say Porsh, I won't try and ram "Porsche a" down their throat. "Tomato", "Tomahto" to me.

 

I think we have understood the question ; I think Kez is saying he knows it should be pronounced as two syllables but sometimes feels wierd saying it.

I can appreciate that; Porsche's cost more proportionally in the UK and there are fewer of them thus the stereotype of a Porsche owner in the UK is largely unfavourable. I often find using the correct word can be interpreted as correcting the person you are discussing it with who will typically be using the word Porsch - it is just easier sometimes!

 

...from another website on German pronunciation...

Porsche
What is the correct pronunciation of Porsche? While the “proper” way to pronounce some German terms in English may be debatable, this isn't one of them. Porsche is a family name, and the family members pronounce their surname PORSH-uh, not PORSH!

 

This website is invaluable.

Thanks for the correction on pronunciation. I guess I fit the stereotype......******* southern boy. Thats why my spelling of Architect is "ARCuhTEK".....because everyone in the south pronounces is as such....

Can I get a little mercy and forgiveness or even a "learning curve" to first time Porsche owners???? (crossing fingers).

 

Well as a kid, we grew up calling 'em Porsh and even now that I *know* that isn't correct *most* people in the UK still say it that way - and if some starts by saying "how is your Porsh?" I'm not gonna correct 'em.

Language being pre-scriptive blah blah ....

So to answer the original question - I say Porsh more than Porsh-uh even though I know it to be inaccurate....:banana:

 

You think this is a joke?

Read this sad tale of woe:

A woman hires a guy to paint her garage door a light shade of pink. She says, "When you are done with the door, could you please paint the porch the same color?"

"No problem, ma'am.", he said.

A few hours later, the painter knocked on her door to collect his money.

"The garage door is finished, and I painted your car...but I don't think it is a Porch, I think it is a Ferrari."

***

This has to be a true story because I found it on the internets.

 

Dave - once again kudo's to your utmost brilliance, diligence to the facts and being an all around enigma. Briggs & Stratton and may the force be with you. I wouldn't have believed the above story if it hadn't come directly from you. Where is this 'internets' by the way? Your mystique resources have me in a state of awe (ah?):crazy::naughty::taunt: