Prepare to eloquently articulate the name of one of horology’s most esteemed marques. Pronouncing Audemars Piguet correctly is not merely a matter of etiquette but a testament to your discerning taste and appreciation for the finer things in life. As we delve into the intricacies of its pronunciation, we shall discover the subtleties that distinguish the true connoisseur from the casual observer.
Let us begin by dissecting the first half of the name: “Audemars.” The “Au” is pronounced as in the word “out,” yielding a crisp “OH-duh-mar.” The emphasis falls squarely on the second syllable, with the “mar” enunciated clearly and distinctly. This initial pronunciation sets the tone for the rest of the name, establishing a cadence that carries us smoothly into the latter half.
Now, let us turn our attention to “Piguet.” Unlike the more straightforward pronunciation of “Audemars,” this portion of the name presents a slight linguistic challenge. The “Pi” is pronounced as in the word “pig,” resulting in a somewhat unexpected “pee-GAY.” The emphasis again falls on the second syllable, with the “gay” drawn out slightly to create a lingering impression. As you pronounce “Piguet,” imagine the subtle inflection that conveys a hint of Gallic charm and sophistication. With these elements combined, you have mastered the art of pronouncing Audemars Piguet like a true aficionado.
The French Pronunciation
Audemars Piguet (pronounced “OH-duh-mahr PEE-gay”) is a Swiss luxury watchmaker founded in 1875. The brand is headquartered in Le Brassus, Switzerland, and its watches are renowned for their exceptional quality and craftsmanship.
The French pronunciation of “Audemars Piguet” is relatively straightforward. The following table provides a breakdown of the pronunciation of each syllable:
| Syllable | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| Au | “OH” |
| de | “duh” |
| mars | “mahr” |
| Pi | “PEE” |
| guet | “gay” |
When pronouncing the full name of the brand, it is important to emphasize the second syllable, “de”. This syllable should be pronounced with a slightly longer and more stressed vowel sound than the other syllables.
The Anglicized Pronunciation
The preferred pronunciation in English-speaking countries is:
| Part | Pronunciation |
| Audemars | oh-deh-marz |
| Piguet | pih-gay |
This pronunciation is a blend of the original French pronunciation (see below) and English phonetics. It is widely accepted and understood in the watch enthusiast community, as well as in general English usage.
While the Anglicized pronunciation is the most common, some purists may prefer to use the original French pronunciation, which is more difficult for non-native speakers.
Syllable Break
The word “Audemars Piguet” has four syllables. The syllables are divided as follows: Au-de-mars Pi-guet.
Accent
The stress is on the second syllable, “de”. This means that the second syllable is pronounced with a higher pitch and louder volume than the other syllables.
3. Pronunciation Practice
Here are some tips for pronouncing “Audemars Piguet” correctly:
– Start by saying the word slowly and deliberately.
– Break the word into syllables and practice saying each syllable individually.
– Emphasize the second syllable, “de”.
– Use a mirror to check your pronunciation. Pay attention to the shape of your mouth and the position of your tongue.
– Listen to a native speaker pronounce the word and try to imitate their pronunciation.
With a little practice, you’ll be able to pronounce “Audemars Piguet” like a pro!
The “Au” Diphthong
The “au” diphthong is a sound that is made by combining the “ah” and “oo” sounds. In English, this sound is typically represented by the letters “aw” or “au.” For example, the words “law” and “pause” both contain the “au” diphthong. The table below shows the IPA transcription of the “au” diphthong in different languages:
| Language | IPA Transcription |
|---|---|
| English | [ɔː] |
| French | [o] |
| German | [aʊ] |
| Spanish | [au] |
When pronouncing the “au” diphthong, the tongue should be positioned in the back of the mouth, with the lips rounded. The air should be allowed to flow freely through the vocal cords, creating a smooth and flowing sound.
The “au” diphthong can be a challenging sound for non-native English speakers to pronounce. However, with practice, it is possible to master this sound and speak English with a more native-like pronunciation.
The “De” Consonant
The “de” in Audemars Piguet is pronounced like the “deh” in “the.” It is a soft consonant, and the “e” is pronounced very briefly.
Here are some examples of how to pronounce the “de” in Audemars Piguet:
Audemars Piguet: oh-duh-mahr pee-gay
Jules Audemars: zhool oh-duh-mahr
Edward Piguet: eh-dward pee-gay
Pronunciation Table
| Spelling | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| Audemars Piguet | oh-duh-mahr pee-gay |
| Jules Audemars | zhool oh-duh-mahr |
| Edward Piguet | eh-dward pee-gay |
Tips for Pronouncing the “De” Consonant
Here are some tips for pronouncing the “de” consonant in Audemars Piguet:
- Say the “d” sound softly, like the “d” in “the.”
- Pronounce the “e” very briefly, like the “e” in “the.”
- Do not emphasize the “de” syllable. It should be pronounced smoothly and evenly with the rest of the word.
With a little practice, you will be able to pronounce the “de” consonant in Audemars Piguet like a native speaker.
The “Mars” Vowel
The key to pronouncing Audemars Piguet correctly lies in understanding the unusual pronunciation of “Mars.” In French, the “ar” in “Mars” is pronounced as a nasal vowel, similar to the sound of “uh” in the English word “fun.”
1. Roll the tongue slightly
Before pronouncing the “ar” sound, lightly roll your tongue towards the back of your mouth.
2. Drop the jaw
Slightly lower your jaw to create a more open sound.
3. Open your mouth
Form an oval shape with your mouth, as if you were saying the English vowel “o.”
4. Relax the lips
Your lips should be relaxed and slightly parted, not pursed or rounded.
5. Exhale through the nose
Once you have the correct mouth position, exhale through your nose while pronouncing the “ar” sound. This will create the nasal resonance.
6. Pronounce the “r” subtly
The “r” in “Mars” is pronounced very subtly, almost as an afterthought. It should be a light brushing of the tongue against the back of the palate, just enough to give the sound a slight rolled quality. Avoid rolling the “r” excessively, as this will make the pronunciation sound exaggerated or foreign.
Example Pronunciation
Putting it all together, here is how to pronounce “Mars” in Audemars Piguet:
| Pronunciation | |
|---|---|
| English: | Mars |
| French: | [mɑ̃ʁ] |
The “Pi” Consonant
The “pi” consonant in Audemars Piguet is pronounced as a voiceless bilabial stop. This means that the sound is produced by closing the lips together and then releasing them, without allowing any air to escape. The sound is similar to the “p” sound in the word “pin”.
In French, the “pi” consonant is often pronounced as a voiceless bilabial fricative. This means that the sound is produced by closing the lips together and then releasing them, allowing a small amount of air to escape. The sound is similar to the “f” sound in the word “fin”.
In English, the “pi” consonant is typically pronounced as a voiceless bilabial stop. However, in some cases, it may be pronounced as a voiceless bilabial fricative. This is more likely to happen when the “pi” consonant is followed by a vowel.
Here are some examples of how the “pi” consonant is pronounced in different words:
| Word | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| Pin | /pɪn/ |
| Fin | /fɪn/ |
| Audemars | /ɔːdəməʁ/ |
| Piguet | /piɡe/ |
The “Gu” Consonant
The French language differentiates between the “gu” sound and the “g” sound. The “gu” sound is a hard “g” followed by a silent “u”. The “g” sound is a soft “g” as in the English word “gem”.
In the case of Audemars Piguet, the “gu” is pronounced as a hard “g” followed by a silent “u”. The correct pronunciation is “oh-duh-mahr pee-gay”.
A Few More Examples
Here are a few more examples of French words with the “gu” sound:
– Guitare (guitar)
– Guerre (war)
– Langue (language)
– Guirlande (garland)
– Guide (guide)
To pronounce these words correctly, simply follow the rule of thumb: the “gu” sound is a hard “g” followed by a silent “u”.
There is one exception to this rule. The word “aiguille” (needle) is pronounced with a soft “g”. This is because the “u” in this word is not silent.
The “Et” Consonant
The letter “et” in Audemars Piguet is pronounced with a soft “e” sound, similar to the “e” in the word “let.” This sound is represented by the phonetic symbol /ɛ/. It is a short, open vowel sound that is produced with the tongue low in the mouth and the lips relaxed.
Pronunciation Guide
To pronounce the “et” in Audemars Piguet, follow these steps:
1. Position your tongue low in your mouth, behind your lower front teeth.
2. Relax your lips and allow them to part slightly.
3. Exhale a stream of air over your tongue while rounding your lips just slightly.
4. Hold the sound for a short period of time.
Example Words
Here are some examples of words that contain the “et” sound:
| Word | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| let | /lɛt/ |
| pet | /pɛt/ |
| met | /mɛt/ |
| get | /gɛt/ |
| bet | /bɛt/ |
1. Audemars (aw-duh-mar)
Many people mistakenly pronounce "Audemars" as "au-de-mars" or "ow-de-mars." However, the correct pronunciation emphasizes the second syllable, with a short "a" sound.
2. Piguet (pee-gay)
The second part of the brand name, "Piguet," is often mispronounced as "pig-way" or "pee-goo-way." The proper pronunciation follows the French rules, with a silent "t" and a soft "g" sound.
3. Swiss (swiss)
The brand’s origin in Switzerland is an important part of its identity. Pronouncing "Swiss" as "switz" or "swich" is incorrect. The correct pronunciation is a clear and concise "swiss."
4. Manufacture (man-you-fak-ture)
The term "manufacture" refers to the process of making Audemars Piguet watches. It is often mispronounced as "man-you-facture" or "man-you-фак-tory." The correct pronunciation emphasizes the third syllable, with a short "e" sound.
5. Haute Horlogerie (oot or-lo-zhuh-ree)
"Haute Horlogerie" is a French term that refers to the highest level of watchmaking craftsmanship. It is commonly mispronounced as "howt or-lo-zhuh-ree" or "oat hor-lo-jee." The correct pronunciation uses a soft "h" sound and emphasizes the second syllable.
Common Mispronunciations to Avoid
Common Mispronunciations to Avoid
| Mispronunciation | Correct Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| au-de-mars | aw-duh-mar |
| ow-de-mars | aw-duh-mar |
| pig-way | pee-gay |
| pee-goo-way | pee-gay |
| switz | swiss |
| swich | swiss |
| man-you-facture | man-you-fak-ture |
| man-you-fak-tory | man-you-fak-ture |
| howt or-lo-zhuh-ree | oot or-lo-zhuh-ree |
| oat hor-lo-jee | oot or-lo-zhuh-ree |
How To Pronounce Audemars Piguet
Audemars Piguet is a world-renowned luxury Swiss watchmaker founded in 1875. The brand’s name is often mispronounced, so it’s important to know the correct way to say it.
Audemars is pronounced “oh-deh-mar.” The “au” is pronounced like the “o” in “pot.” The “d” is pronounced like the “d” in “dog.” The “e” is pronounced like the “e” in “bet.” The “m” is pronounced like the “m” in “man.” The “a” is pronounced like the “a” in “cat.” The “r” is pronounced like the “r” in “run.”
Piguet is pronounced “pee-gay.” The “pi” is pronounced like the “pi” in “pie.” The “g” is pronounced like the “g” in “go.” The “u” is pronounced like the “u” in “put.” The “e” is pronounced like the “e” in “bet.” The “t” is pronounced like the “t” in “top.”
People Also Ask About How To Pronounce Audemars Piguet
What is the meaning of Audemars Piguet?
Audemars Piguet is a combination of the surnames of the two founders, Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward-Auguste Piguet.
How do you abbreviate Audemars Piguet?
Audemars Piguet is often abbreviated as “AP.”
Is Audemars Piguet a good investment?
Audemars Piguet watches are considered to be a good investment, as they hold their value well over time. However, it’s important to do your research before making any investment.
