For people who speak English, you may have noticed that some words are pronounced in ways that don’t seem to follow normal spelling rules. One such example is the word “salmon. ” Though spelled with an L, it’s pronounced “samon. ” This incongruity leaves many people curious – why is salmon pronounced “samon”?.
As a big fan of food and cooking at home, this unusual pronunciation has caught my attention. I decided to look into this tasty fish’s language history to find out where its silent L came from. I learned some interesting things about how the word “salmon” came to be used today from my research.
I’ll talk about what I learned about the history and origins of the word “salmon” and how to say it in this article. Read on to solve the mystery of the silent L!.
Back to Latin Roots
Like many English words, “salmon” has its roots in Latin. The original Latin word was “salmo” derived from a Proto-Indo-European base word meaning “to leap.” This aptly described the swimming behavior of salmon. In Latin, “salmo” was pronounced with a clear L sound due to the double L in the middle.
Losing the L in Old French
When the Latin word made its way into Old French, the L sound began to erode In Old French, it was spelled “saumon,” indicating the L was now silent The French pronunciation influenced the English spelling that emerged later on.
Imported Through Norman French
English acquired the word “salmon” in the 12th century via the Norman French who ruled England after the Norman Invasion. The Normans brought many food words into the English lexicon, including “salmon.” Since the French no longer pronounced the L, neither did English speakers who adopted the word.
Renaissance Reinstatement
During the Renaissance, there was a revival of interest in restoring Latin spellings to English words. Scholars reverted “salmon” back to its Latin “salmo” spelling, reinstating the silent L. This reflected the prestige and desire for pure Latin forms.
Standardized in Modern English
By the 17th century, the “salmon” spelling prevailed, though the L was still silent in pronunciation. This remains true in modern English, where “salmon” is pronounced “samon” despite its restored L.
Exceptions and Regional Variations
While standard English keeps the L silent, some exceptions have emerged. The related word “salmonella” is pronounced with the L sounded out. Additionally, certain regional accents may pronounce “salmon” with a subtle L. But the dominant pronunciation favored in dictionaries is “samon.”
Shared in Other Languages Too
Many languages adopted “salmon” from the same French roots, creating similar pronunciations. Italian (salmone), Spanish (salmon), and French (saumon) all pronounce their versions without sounding the L.
So in the end, the silent L stems from evolutionary phonetic changes as “salmon” passed through different languages on its way into English! The pronunciation “samon” reflects the path it took and its transformation over time. Next time you taste this delicious fish, you’ll have a new appreciation for its linguistic backstory.
Esperanto[edit]
salmon
- accusative singular of salmo
References[edit]
- Gonçalves, Manuel (2015) Capeverdean Creole-English dictionary, →ISBN
How to Pronounce Salmon? (CORRECTLY) | SEH-M’N Pronunciation
How do you pronounce salmon in English?
When pronouncing “salmon” formally, the key is to emphasize the letter “L.” Begin by sounding out the “S” like you would in “sun,” followed by a short “AA” sound, and then pronounce the “L” sound clearly. Finally, conclude with a soft “N” sound. Remember to enunciate each syllable for added clarity. 2. Pronunciation: [SAM-uhn]
Why does the word ‘salmon’ have a l sound?
This change could be due to the French influence on the English language, as well as the evolution of language over time. Some people argue that because the word “salmon” has a history of including the “l” sound, it should be pronounced that way.
Why is there a debate about the pronunciation of salmon?
The pronunciation of “salmon” generates debate due to the varying regional, historical, and linguistic influences that have shaped the word’s pronunciation over time. This debate reflects the richness and diversity of language itself. What is considered non perishable food?
Is the L silent in the word salmon?
She wanted to demonstrate how nice and clear her l sound had become since taking lessons. Unfortunately, she did say the l sound perfectly, and was then told by her boss that the l is silent in the word salmon. (Now,) the word salmon isn’t a very high-frequency word, so I don’t usually cover it in class with my students.