http://ask.metafilter.com/tags/forte Questions tagged with 'forte' at Ask MetaFilter. Mon, 02 Feb 2004 11:24:40 -0800 Mon, 02 Feb 2004 11:24:40 -0800 en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 http://ask.metafilter.com/5071/Pronounce%2DForte What is the correct pronunciation of "forte?" [more inside] Forte – a person’s strong area of ability.<br> Pronounced fort or for-tay?<br> <br> I adamantly believe that the word is pronounced fort. The word is borrowed from the French word meaning the strongest part of the sword (fyi- foible is the weakest part of the sword). But the French word forte is pronounced like the way we pronounce a military fort, and it comes from the same Latin root, fortis. <br> <br> Most people… I’d speculate 95% who actually use the word… pronounce the word for-TAY. That is the Italian pronunciation of the word forte, which in Italian is a musical term.<br> <br> Now here is my question: I have always argued that it is INCORRECT to pronounce the word for-TAY. But some have argued with me that because it is accepted to pronounce it for-TAY, then it is not correct to call it an INCORRECT pronunciation.<br> <br> Is for-TAY an incorrect pronunciation when used to describe someone’s strength? If fort is the correct pronunciation, does the fact that everyone pronounces it for-TAY make that the correct pronunciation? <br> <br> Is there a threshold where a bastardization become the correct usage through common usage? tag:ask.metafilter.com,2004:site.5071 Mon, 02 Feb 2004 11:24:40 -0800 forte pronunciation Seth