Comments on: How the heck do you pronounce ukulele?

By: davoomac

davoomac — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 23:36:21 +0000

whats with the inability to make paragraph breaks? lol

By: davoomac

davoomac — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 23:35:27 +0000

For the longest time, I pronounce ukulele as yoo-koo-lay-lee just like the mainland people did. Then when I heard Jake Shimabukuro say Ook-koo-leh-leh I changed the way I said it. I figured Jake, one of the world’s best uke players, would know what he was talking about.

I’m from Guam and most uke players say it ookoolehleh also. I pronounce uke as “yook”. When people say ‘ook’ thats when i cringe hahaha. To each his own though, it doesn’t matter what you call it we can all still make music together right?

I hardly think that people who say it the hawaiian way are snobs though. Thats a bit much to say. Unless they try to correct the way you say it then that would be crossing the line.

Didgeridoo from Yidaki? that isn’t even close to the same word! I’ve been to ‘Cans’ Australia. The ‘OZZYs’ there are very friendly.

By: Didgeman

Didgeman — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 03:18:57 +0000

This reminds me of Australia and the didgeridoo. Didgeridoo is ‘white man’s’ name for it and though it has many names, one traditional name is Yidaki. I differentiate between the two as being two different types of instruments, though the same, with very different qualities. ‘Didgeridoo’ giving much more of a contemporary sound and Yidaki giving much more of a traditional sound…..both with very different playing styles.
I realize that this is a ukulele site so let’s tie it all together now
I wonder: could the same be said of ukuleles and ookeleles? .Is there a OOk-ulele that is more ‘tradional’ in sound and playing style versus a Ukulele that is more contemporary?

Also, when in Australia and going to Cairns, Australia, pronounce it ‘Cans’ or they won’t know what the heck you’re talking about

By: strummer55

strummer55 — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:01:35 +0000

If you’re on the mainland, say yoo-ka-lay-lee. If you’re in Hawaii, say oo-koo-lay-lay. Even if you’re a mainlander. It’s awkward at first, but it’s worth the effort. No one will think you are being precious, only that you respect their culture. But really only when you’re in Hawaii, because, yes, people will think it is very strange if you say oo-koo-lay-lay on the mainland. Unless you’re Hawaiian

By: craig robertson

craig robertson — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:08:00 +0000

I agree with Woodshed. yoo-ka-lay-lee is the accepted American pronunciation and has been since the twenties. This is how the english language absorbs new words. The Hawaiian way is not the “correct” way, it is only the correct way for their culture. It sounds precious for a mainlander to use it. I respect the Hawaiian language, but I speak english.

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 19:43:54 +0000

Woodshed:
Now I don’t feel so bad

By: Woodshed

Woodshed — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:50:13 +0000

I pronounce it yoo-ka-lay-lee. I think people who insist on ook-koo-lay-lay are being snobs - like ordering a ‘cappuccino’ in an Italian accent.

What’s really insane is people who pronounce ‘uke’ ook.