Lieutenant

[probus]

Does BrE still pronounce it leftenant, or has the AmE pronunciation lootenant taken root in the UK?

 

[5jj]

Does BrE still pronounce it leftenant,

Yes.

 

[emsr2d2]

Formally (officially), I agree with 5jj. However, I would be surprised if the AmE pronunciation didn't take over in the future. I put this down to the fact that in the US lieutentant is a rank in the police whereas in the UK, it's only a military rank. The prevalence of US TV shows and films, particularly cop shows and true crime, means that we hear the AmE pronunciation a lot. In an average day in the UK, we wouldn't hear anyone referring to the military rank. It would be interesting to do a straw poll of British people under the age of, say, 30 to see if they're even aware of the correct BrE pronunciation.

 

[jutfrank]

I don't think any amount of exposure to US TV shows is going to influence the way the top brass in the British Armed Forces speak.

 

[emsr2d2]

I don't think any amount of exposure to US TV shows is going to influence the way the top brass in the British Armed Forces speak.

Nor do I. I was talking about how the general population pronounce it. If they're exposed more to the AmE pronunciation than the BrE, it'll creep in as an accepted pronunciation outside of the armed forces.