Linux — How to Say It

The first time we discussed Linux overseas we realised what a problem there was going to be. Although the word 'Linux' sounds fine in Linus Torwalds' native tongues, it doesn't sound too pretty when English people say it. It sounds way too drab.

Everyone knows how to say the 'nux' part of it. It's just 'nuhkks' with a short 'u' ('uh'). No - that part's easy. It's the 'li' in the beginning that's diffy.

Once upon a time Linus made a sound recording so everyone could hear how it's said, and if you can find that file, good for you; but if you can't find it you can still be all right. Here's how to do it.

First off, the 'i' in 'li' is not short as in the English word 'linen'. That sounds absolutely terrible (the way English speaking people say it).

And it's not a long English 'i' either, as in 'eye'.

It's an 'e' sound, as English speaking people see (hear) it or what Europeans would call the 'i' sound (natch). It's the sound of 'ee' in 'leeward'.

Try it. 'Leenuhkks'. It rolls off your tongue, doesn't it?

Whatever you do, give the penguin his due. If you can't bring yourself to say 'Leenuhkks' all the time, at least don't make him sound like 'linen'.