A recent poll involving 2,000 individuals showed that an array of international terms tend to live Brits tongue-tied. Words such as “hygge,” “quinoa,” and that flaky French delight “croissant,” prove most challenging.
Even widely recognized French turns of phrase such as “rendezvous,” a simple “faux pas,” or the delectable “pain au chocolat” regularly confound British speakers.
The study uncovered that roughly 30% of participants often trip up over the pronunciation of foreign lingo and a quarter say place names are the hardest to get right, while 18% struggle most with food and drink terms.
According to the research, commissioned by bakery brand St Pierre, 53% feel too self-conscious to say a foreign word out loud if they’re unsure of the pronunciation. Instead, they’ll point to items on a menu to avoid making a mistake.
Despite this hesitation, 88% believe it’s important to make an effort to pronounce foreign words correctly. However, nearly half (46%) think many Brits don’t even try, while 25% believe Brits are “the worst” when it comes to mispronouncing non-English words.
Regional accents and dialects also influence pronunciation, according to the study.
Not all is lost, however, some Brits are willing to go the extra mile to improve their pronunciation. Over a third say they have watched online tutorials to learn how to say something properly, while others rely on repetition and practice to get it right.
Interestingly, 62% have been corrected by someone when they’ve said a word wrong, with 63% admitting they appreciated the feedback, even if it left 26% feeling embarrassed at the time.
A spokesperson for the brand said: “Mispronouncing foreign words is a relatable struggle for many of us. From fumbling over ‘croissant’ to hesitating before attempting ‘gnocchi’, it’s a reminder of how diverse and rich languages truly are.
“And it’s not just about getting it right – it’s about showing respect for the culture and making an effort.”
The bakery brand has also launched its “Eat Avec Respect” campaign, aimed at encouraging people to embrace cultural diversity through food.
“What’s clear from the research is that Brits are very respectful of other cultures and languages – partly shown by our embarrassment at pronouncing foreign foods incorrectly,” the spokesperson said. “For us, the fun is in the trying – so whether you ask for a croissant and end up with quinoa, at least you’ve made a memory that will make you smile.”
