How do you pronounce prejudice? The answer may surprise you.
Checkout this video:
Introduction
Prejudice is an unreasonable feeling, thought, or attitude, often held by one group of people, that another group is inferior or not as good. It can be based on a person’s race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, or physical ability.
The History of the Word
Prejudice is a word that has been used in many different ways over the years. It first came into English in the early 1300s, borrowed from the Old French word prejuge, which itself came from the Latin praejudicium, meaning “prior judgment.” In its earliest use, prejudice simply referred to a judgment or opinion formed before all the facts are known.
It wasn’t until the 1500s that prejudice took on its now more familiar meaning of “a preconceived and unreasonable judgment or opinion, esp. one that is unfavorable.” This meaning likely developed from the earlier sense of “prejudgment,” in that if you form an opinion before all the facts are known, it is likely to be biased or unreasonable.
The word prejudice can also be used as a verb meaning “to influence (someone) in advance in a negative way.” This usage dates back to the early 1600s and likely grew out of the already established use of prejudice as a noun meaning “judgment or opinion formed in advance of evidence or experience.”
Prejudice can also be used as an adjective meaning “hostile or negative feelings toward someone based on their membership in a particular group.” This usage first appeared in print in the early 1800s and is perhaps most often used today when referring to racial or ethnic prejudice.
The Pronunciation of the Word
The word prejudice has several different pronunciations, depending on the dialect of English you are speaking. In American English, the word is usually pronounced /ˈprɛdʒʊdɪs/, with the vowel in the first syllable pronounced like the “i” in “bird”. In British English, the word is typically pronounced /ˈprɒdʒʊdɪs/, with the vowel in the first syllable pronounced like the “o” in “dog”.
The word prejudice can also be pronounced /ˈprɛdʒjʊdɪs/, with the vowel in the first syllable pronounced like the “e” in “red”, but this pronunciation is less common in both American and British English.
The Meaning of the Word
Prejudice is an affective feeling towards a person or group member based solely on their membership in a group. It is a thought or belief that one holds about another person or group without having any personal experience with them. It can be either positive or negative and may be based on real or perceived characteristics.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a few key things to remember when pronouncing prejudice. First, the initial “p” is silent. Next, the “j” should be pronounced as a “ch” sound. Finally, the stress should be placed on the second syllable, not the first. With these guidelines in mind, you should be able to say prejudice correctly in no time!
