How do pronounce "FORTE"?

Henry Gale · 04-27-2005, 07:00 PM

I've thought that:
one's strong point is “fort”
a tone or passage played forte “for’-tA”

Of course, if you actually try the "fort" variation, most people will think you're ignorant. Webster's now says both are standard.
So, what to do? Try to speak correctly and be thought an idiot or go with the flow?

There is a third possibility, you could screw up your topic header because you're in a rush to watch Lost and end up looking like a complete nincompoop!

Kevin Hewell · 04-27-2005, 07:10 PM

I think your definition and pronunciation is correct. If I heard someone pronounce "forte" as fort I would think they were ignorant.

Seth--L · 04-27-2005, 07:14 PM

Quote:

a tone or passage played forte “for’-tA”

Joseph DeMartino · 04-27-2005, 07:49 PM

Not sure what you mean by "Webster's", since any dictionary can call itself that. Merriam-Webster's Third International does not accept "fort" as a pronunciation. All their variants include the final vowel in one form or another. (Unfortunately, the special characters used to show the pronunciation don't copy.

The link below may or may not take you to the correct page, since the full on-line dictionary requires a subscription.)

Given that the word is French it seems as likely as the Italian musical forte to be pronounced with the final vowel voiced, not silent.

Main Entry: 1forte Pronunciation Guide
Pronunciation: f()r]t, -()r], -], -()], usu ]d.+V also fr]d.(), -()], ]()t
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): -s
Etymology: earlier fort, from Middle French, from fort, adjective, strong -- more at FORT
1 one's strong point : that in which one excels
2 : the stronger part of the blade of a sword : the part or half of a sword nearest the hilt -- opposed to foible

Citation format for this entry:

"forte." Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002. http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com (27 Apr. 2005).

Regards,

Joe

MikeEn · 04-27-2005, 08:27 PM

From dictionary.com

Quote:

Usage Note: The word forte, coming from French fort, should properly be pronounced with one syllable, like the English word fort. Common usage, however, prefers the two-syllable pronunciation, (fôr'ta), which has been influenced possibly by the music term forte borrowed from Italian. In a recent survey a strong majority of the Usage Panel, 74 percent, preferred the two-syllable pronunciation. The result is a delicate situation; speakers who are aware of the origin of the word may wish to continue to pronounce it as one syllable but at an increasing risk of puzzling their listeners.

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PeterK · 04-27-2005, 08:43 PM

musically it would be pronounced for-tay

NickSo · 04-27-2005, 08:51 PM

yeah, i pronounce it as Four-tay

Henry Gale · 04-27-2005, 09:09 PM

Quote:

The result is a delicate situation; speakers who are aware of the origin of the word may wish to continue to pronounce it as one syllable but at an increasing risk of puzzling their listeners.

Thanks Mike, that was a helpful passage.

David Williams · 04-27-2005, 09:25 PM

Quote:

If I heard someone pronounce "forte" as fort I would think they were ignorant.

Ditto. Probably best to continue pronouncing it 'four-tay'. I've never heard it pronounced 'fort' myself.

James Landau · 04-28-2005, 05:45 AM

I've always heard that the correct pronunciation is FORT, yet forTAY is what everyone seems to use. On the assumption that the majority are ignorant and/or misinformed, I always use FORT myself since the dictionary lists it as a valid pronunciation. I've never been looked at strangely for doing so but I'm sure it will happen eventually.

I don't remember the title, but there is an episode of Unhappily Ever After that deals with this very topic. Throughout the episode, people keep using forTAY and Nikki Cox keeps correcting them and explaining why FORT is the correct pronunciation.