Pronunciation of Commandant

Effects

Hi, I'm trying to find out the correct way Commandant is pronounced in the Irish Army. Is it correct to pronounce it without the n, as in 'Commadant'. Specifically I'm asking about how it would have been pronounced in the late 60s.
Any help would be much appreciated.

donvito99

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commandant

Like this but with an Irish accent.

Effects

Thanks for that. Someone thought it was pronounced without the 'n' here in Ireland, as it is in some other countries.
It's for a film so that's why I was trying to confirm.

Manic Moran

I've never heard it without an n, but I wasn't around in the sixties. That said, militaries are one place where change is slow.

Where are they filming, out of interest?

Pat Dunne

This one is going to drive you mad trying to figure out on a forum, as the Irish pronunciation for Commandant is quite unique.

Why don't you get in contact with the Defence Forces Information Office and speak directly with a member there.
Information Officer,
PR Section, Block 5,
Ceannt Bks,
Curragh Camp,
Co Kildare

Tel: 045 44 5306/ 5308

- See more at: http://www.military.ie/info-centre/df-information-office/an-cosantoir#sthash.B4DzL2JS.dpuf

galwaycyclist

Effects wrote: »

Hi, I'm trying to find out the correct way Commandant is pronounced in the Irish Army. Is it correct to pronounce it without the n, as in 'Commadant'. Specifically I'm asking about how it would have been pronounced in the late 60s.
Any help would be much appreciated.

Ireland is a country with various regional accents. There is also an urban rural divide in manners of speech and expression. Its entirely possible that some people dont emphasise that "n" when they speak or are perceived not to.

There may have been an official pronunciation but I suspect not.

galwaycyclist

galwaycyclist wrote: »

Ireland is a country with various regional accents. There is also an urban rural divide in manners of speech and expression. Its entirely possible that some people dont emphasise that "n" when they speak or are perceived not to.

There may have been an official pronunciation but I suspect not.

And, if you really want to boil your head, some units and regions use different words for the same thing.

So in some units if an NCO wants to make a body of troops march on the spot then the order is "greadaig fúibh" but in other places the NCOs use the phrase "buaillig am".

galwaycyclist

galwaycyclist wrote: »

And, if you really want to boil your head, some units and regions use different words for the same thing.

So in some units if an NCO wants to make a body of troops march on the spot then the order is "greadaig fúibh" but in other places the NCOs use the phrase "buaillig am".

So I guess what I am saying is - get your script together - get onto DF HQ and ask if they will let you talk to the Battalion Sergeant Major or Regimental Sergeant Major of whatever post your film is set in.

Officers come and go but the 'Major will be the repository of all tribal knowledge.

Edit: Also there may be a military history society attached to the post (with members who are retired defence force personel) if you talk to those guys it might help improve historical accuracy.

tac foley

@Manic Moran - please read your PMs.

Best

tac

The Chieftain

I believe "Sir" works nicely...

ajmull

In the '60s it was pronounced as you say without the "n" - Commadant. As far as I know it still is. I served as an officer at the time so I know that is how it was pronounced.

youtheman

ajmull wrote: »

In the '60s it was pronounced as you say without the "n" - Commadant. As far as I know it still is. I served as an officer at the time so I know that is how it was pronounced.

It is pronounced 'common-ent'. The 'd' is definitely silent, as is the 'an' really.

Not like the German 'Kommandant'.