Asperger's or Asperger's?

Post Reply New Topic

Ever since I heard of AS a couple of years ago, I've been pronouncing it as As-per-jer's. My mum told me a couple of days ago that it's pronounced Asp-burger's.

Now... I'm not bothered about the right or wrong here, but I am really freaked out by that. AS can't be pronouncially related to a popular meat product! The idea of that really weirds me out. I find my pronounciation far more liquid on my tongue and easier to say, whereas to me, the other one 'tastes' bad .

Anyone else get this?

The name is German so your Mum is correct. The correct pronunciation is Ahs-per-gers. A as in art not have. G as in garden. A lot of English people pronounce the g as you do though.

the Name is not German it's Austrian
In English and German it is As –per-gers .
Only a degenerate semi-literate person would make Asp sound like Ass

Last edited by Tadpole on 11 Jul 2011, 5:05 am, edited 1 time in total.

My mom pronounces it that way too. Aus right for Asperger's?

Yes it is Austrian, however Austrians speak German.

The name is Austrian, Yes they speak German but as with all languages, they speak/phrase/pronounce it differently, Just as a Southerner in the USA will not speak nor sound or even use the same terminology as a person From New York, The style of German spoken in Austria has more in common with the German spoken by a Swiss person, than by a German from Bonn.

This is true. I have, however got a friend who's from Austria and she said they pronounce it like that. There are certain differences in pronunciation of other words/letters as you say though.

It is only those from north America who are uncomfortable about the pronunciation. For those of us who quite happily use "arse" rather than "ass" this is a non issue.

Though much to my chagrin, I have noticed the American version creeping into use in my nation, particularly by sloppy journalists who should know better.

Fortunately, they're abolishing the word "Asperger's" next year and we won't have to decide these things. Personally, I intend to become an "autist" - I suppose that might confuse some people but the sound of the word seems to indicate that I'm good at something, which will be a refreshing change.

Is Aspergers going from the ICD as well as DSM?

Unfortunately there is no soft "g" in the German language. So if you want to pronounce it properly, As-per-jers is incorrect.

They speak German in Austria :/
Also no, not degenerate or semi-literate at all. Not being harsh are you?

Not at all, you've proven that your statement is a lie.
Reading -posts- and understanding them is part of being literate, and you've not been doing that.

That made me sound Brittish when I tried that.