Abu Ghraib ... How Is It SUPPOSED To Be Pronounced?

[arwalden]

It varies from network to network, reporter to reporter, and anchor to anchor.

The "Abu" part is pretty straight forward... but I wonder if there will ever be a consensus on how to correctly pronounce "Ghraib".

[Misunderestimator]

1. Grah-Eeb... with accent on the 2nd sylLAble. imo n/t

[klook]

2. You read my mind

I was thinking of posting a poll on this very question, and you beat me to it. I'm not a reliable source, but I'm voting for "Grah-Eeb," just based on how other Arabic words are pronounced, like Said (as in Edward).

I've also heard "Greb," which doesn't seem right at all.

If I couldn't choose "Grah-Eeb," I'd probably go with "Gribe" (also not in your list).

[NicoleM]

3. from slate

http://slate.msn.com/id/2100290/

The first word is easy: "ah-BOO." The trouble is the second word, which begins with a phlegmy, guttural "gh" sound uncommon in American English—the sound is peculiar to the Arabic letter "ghayn." The "r" is easy, but the "ai" is a bit confusing: The word doesn't share the diphthong vowel sound of "grave" or "grape" as many newscasters seem to think; instead, the vowel is closer to that in "ebb," but is slightly more extended. So the proper pronunciation sounds something like a French person using a rolling "r" to render "grehhb.

[Greylady]

4. Aboo Grayb - according to an article in the Guardian n/t

[loathesomeshrub]

5. Grayb - Its that easy n/t

[parasim]

6. According to this site...

... it's AH-boo GREHB

http://names.voa.gov/DailyAction.cfm

They've got a audio recording there as well...

[loathesomeshrub]

7. The Arab accent doesn't sound authentic to me.

"With this in mind, please be aware that every entry in the VOA Pronunciation Guide database is a compromise, to one degree or the other. It is hoped that the experts we consult will vary in their opinions only by small degrees, but even this is not always the case. "
What I mean is the pronunciation of most of the Arabic names and words is not authentic. Sounds like its been Americanized.

[parasim]

9. Well, there ya go...

Just goes to show that I have no idea what I am talking about.

[arwalden]

8. Cool Reference Site... Thanks.

I bookmarked it.

-- Allen

[parasim]

10. No Prob. Yeah, I thought so...

... however, bear in mind that it may not be entirely accurate.

[BurnInHellFoxNews]

11. Grabb.

It's supposed to rhyme with "slob" for a reason.