English Language Discussion Forums

hibiscus · #1 24-Jul-2006, 02:44

It all started when my 10 yr old son came back from school one day and told me that his English teacher taught the class to pronounce 'he' biscus, and NOT 'hai' biscus.

I checked with the dictionary (with phonetics sysmbols), and it says, both can be used?? The thing is that, my son's English teacher insisted that it is pronounced as 'he' biscus.

Could you tell me how to pronounce hibiscus rightly?
Thank you.

Hibiscus is national flower of our country.

**Tdol** · #2 24-Jul-2006, 03:27

I use a short 'i' sound.

hibiscus · #3 24-Jul-2006, 07:37

Is that 'i' the american or british pronunciation?

I use 'hai' sound. Am I wrong then?

**Tdol** · #4 24-Jul-2006, 08:52

I'm British and have always heard the short 'i'. Let's wait to see what the Americans say; I'm afraid I've never heard an American say it.

**Ouisch** · #5 25-Jul-2006, 02:50

I've always heard it pronounced hy-BIS-cus (I think similar to your "hai" pronunciation).

hibiscus · #6 26-Jul-2006, 02:34

I guess it can be pronounced in either way??

My niece, a law graduate from Oxford U, said that she pronounces it as 'hai' or 'hy' biscus. She's British.

I haven't heard it as 'i' as to 'he' biscus until my son's teacher brought this up.

Avalon · #7 26-Jul-2006, 04:14

According to the Longman dictionary I´ve just looked up it´s HAIbiscus...and it´s given as the only English pronunciation(they show the variations when there are any ).However,we Brazilians do say HEbiscus,but then again that´d be the Portuguese pronunciation of it..

**Tdol** · #8 27-Jul-2006, 16:26

I'll check with a keen gardener and get back on this one.

hibiscus · #9 29-Jul-2006, 14:18

Thanks, and I'm still waiting to know which pronunciation I should use.
Good idea, tdol, that you'll check with a keen gardener!

or maybe a horticulturist?

Janaina, I'm also using the Longman Dictionary. It gives both pronunciation and either one is correct. I'm just not too happy with my son's teacher who INSISTED that it should be 'he' biscus.

Either she proves me wrong or I'll prove her wrong!

Avalon · #10 29-Jul-2006, 16:36

I don´t think either is wrong.The dictionary I looked up had only one pronunciation, nonetheless I´m positive that just like many other words,both pronunciations are correct...