geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: didjamatic on Thu, 25 March 2010, 14:13:39

Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: didjamatic on Thu, 25 March 2010, 14:13:39
Does anyone live in Japan or have international calling options that would want to call Topre directly and report on how they pronounce "Topre"?  I know it's been discussed before but I don't think we clearly know how to pronounce it.

Topre contact info from their website (http://www.topre.co.jp/e/company/office.html):

(http://www.topre.co.jp/e/shared/img/header_site-id.gif)
Head Office
Asahi Bldg., 12-2, Nihonbashi
3-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo,
103-0027, Japan
Tel: +81-3-3271-0711
Fax: +81-3-3271-7045
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: itlnstln on Thu, 25 March 2010, 14:18:58
ItlnStln: *Dials Topre*

Topre: Hi, this Deuce McDrop from Topre.  How ca...

ItlnStln: Thanks! *Click*


I don't know why I had that scenario going through my head.  I would call them, but I don't have international calling.  I can't have the Feds find out where I'm at.
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: didjamatic on Thu, 25 March 2010, 14:27:35
I just called twice... It's a recording in Japanese but it sounds like it is pronounced: Toe Pruh (like Oprah)
They only say it briefly at the beginning of the message, but that's what it sounds like to me.  At first I thought it might have been "Toe Pray" but I believe it's:

tō·prə like Oprah.
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: hyperlinked on Thu, 25 March 2010, 14:54:23
I still like Rajagra's pronunciation better:
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=7799#3
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: kishy on Thu, 25 March 2010, 15:05:58
I had assumed it was "top-ray"

Oh well, doesn't look like I'll ever own one anyway. Carry on with ignorant remarks I shall.
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: ch_123 on Thu, 25 March 2010, 15:26:28
Someone with experience of Japanese, I think it might have been Majestouch, said that because of the way they pronounce Rs, it sounded something along the lines of "Tope-u-lay"

I could be completely wrong though.
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: didjamatic on Thu, 25 March 2010, 15:28:10
Can someone else call the number and report what they hear?  They say it right at the beginning of the message.
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: skcheng on Thu, 25 March 2010, 15:40:20
This thread cracks me up.   I thought Topre was short for Tokyo Press??  

It's like calling IBM to ask them how to pronounce IBM??

Uhh......I-Bum???     :crazy:
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: ch_123 on Thu, 25 March 2010, 15:41:40
So you're saying that we should say "T-O-P-R-E Keyboard"?
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: porgo on Thu, 25 March 2010, 15:53:35
I imagined it would be pronounced like "topper".
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: didjamatic on Thu, 25 March 2010, 15:54:10
Recording attached!  

It's either Toe Preh (like Oprah) or Toe Pray but with accent, it's hard to say for sure.  I'm leaning towards ToePreh like Oprah.

IF Topre is short for Tokyo Press, then it should definitely be pronounced Toe Preh like Oprah.
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: chuckading on Thu, 25 March 2010, 16:06:16
Awesome didj, I have a really close Korean friend who resides in Seoul and her Mother speaks Japanese. I'm going to relay the question and post back with the response.

Anybody else been calling it "Toe-Pree" , long "o" and long "e".
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: didjamatic on Thu, 25 March 2010, 16:13:41
That's awesome Webwit, I didn't think of that, but you're right.  

So we have English speakers calling Japanese speakers who prounounce what sounds like an English word, then we're forwarding it to a Korean speaker who's mother speaks Japanese.... If we keep it up, we're liable to cause a glitch in the Matrix.

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/5/5040260_a2c426a753.jpg)
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: puntium on Thu, 25 March 2010, 16:35:50
The japanese pronunciation is actually something like toe-poo-reh (the of the rhe in rhetoric), because the full version would be toh-kyoh-poo-reh-su (tokyo press).

I'd guess a reasonable english pronunciation would be like toe-pray.
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: didjamatic on Thu, 25 March 2010, 17:05:56
If the company name is created from the words Tokyo and Press, the only logical correct pronunciation is tō·prə - To from Tokyo and Pre from Press.  I think this fact about their company name's meaning is the strongest argument.  All others are accent and interpretation.  

The audio file supports this, the company name supports this, I think we have determined the correct pronunciation of Topre.

tō·prə
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Rajagra on Thu, 25 March 2010, 17:12:43
We've come a long long way together,
Through the hard times and the good,
I have to celebrate you baby,
I have Topres, you, like I should...

Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: quadibloc on Thu, 25 March 2010, 19:14:57
Quote from: kishy;166829
I had assumed it was "top-ray"

Oh well, doesn't look like I'll ever own one anyway. Carry on with ignorant remarks I shall.
I assumed the same vowel, although I pronounced it toe-PRAY. As if it were spelled Topré.
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: kishy on Thu, 25 March 2010, 19:25:09
Quote from: quadibloc;166915
I assumed the same vowel, although I pronounced it toe-PRAY. As if it were spelled Topré.


Yeah, definitely the pré part, I wasn't entirely sure what I thought about the first part.

I think my interpretation is influenced based on having French language education. First thought of any new word that ends in a single e is "é" until determined otherwise.
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: HaaTa on Thu, 25 March 2010, 20:44:28
The Japanese are supremely lazy when using english words.

Department Store = Dee-pah--to where the pah is held longer to simulate the 'r' sound that they can't properly sound.

Tokyo Press would be pronounced:
Toe-kyoh Poo-reh-ssu

Though I would have to listen to  someone saying it to be sure.

So I'd say
Toe-poo-reh

I can't use macron o's on my phone which would be more accurate for the 'Toe' part.
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: HaaTa on Thu, 25 March 2010, 21:14:23
Quote
Why would they attach "su"..especially when su's are not pronounced?
It's just like the English "press" without the ss, but with a less rolling r. You pronounce the r in Japanese by keeping the tongue in the middle of your mouth and not touching the inside of your mouth with the tongue while pronouncing it.

Trying to get a Japanese person not experienced in other languages to pronounce just a consonant (other than m or n) is next to impossible.

Press, via google translate is プレス, which supports my claim.
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: didjamatic on Thu, 25 March 2010, 21:48:41
Quote from: ripster;166937
Somebody call them and ask them if they've heard of...

"Flashu MemOree"

Dr Masuoka invented it to replace DIP switches "Deepoo Switchu"
Show Image
(http://www.tigerdirectnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/dr-fujio-masuoka.thumbnail.jpg)


Oh my word, that about made me cry from laughing so hard.
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: HaaTa on Thu, 25 March 2010, 22:42:39
Quote from: webwit;166947
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Japanese/Pronunciation#Devoicing


Key word there is sometimes. Dialects and politeness levels have a lot to do with when that is used, rather than for the word itself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_phonology#Devoicing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_phonology#Devoicing)

This also really only applies to Japanese words. Not Katakana loan words.
So, unless the speaker knows the english equivalent of プレス, then it will still be pu re su, rather than press because there is not hint whatsoever in the katakana.

Now looking at the Topre wiki page (http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/東プレ). The pronunciation of Topre is 東プレ or とうプレ to convert the first Kanji. Which is Tō pu re - (toe poo reh).
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: quadibloc on Fri, 26 March 2010, 02:19:58
Quote from: webwit;166936
Why would they attach "su"..especially when su's are not pronounced?
You are oversimplifying.

Whether or not the final "u" on a Japanese word is pronounced depends on who you are. Men don't pronounce them; women do.
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: DreymaR on Fri, 26 March 2010, 02:48:56
You native English speakers need to take some care:

- English is a language rife with diphtong prononciation of wovels. You glide around a majority of your vowel sounds I think. Other languages don't do that much at all, and Japanese is one of these. If a Japanese speaker says 'toe-pray' it's because he/she is trying to emulate Engrish.

- In Japanese, many consonants aren't used next to each other like in English and in fact most of the consonant letters are really a pair of a consonant and a vowel. So a word like 'switch' would become 'su-wi-chu' I suppose; the 'su' would be weakly pronounced though.

I don't speak Japanese myself, but I think what I'm saying is fairly accurate.
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 26 March 2010, 07:51:48
Quote from: webwit;166851
Lol, it sounds like a Japanese woman pronouncing Topre in English (the words Tokyo and Press cut off) and asking of they can be of service. You guys are making this more difficult than this is and turning it into some kind of mind **** where English people try to pronounce Japanese people who try to pronounce like English people who try to..

This.  Good night, now.
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Pettifogger on Fri, 26 March 2010, 17:16:24
The Japanese characters for Topre are 東プレ or to-o-pu-re. The second o just means it's a long o. Pu-re sounds like the English word pray or play. Oprah is written and spoken in Japanese as O-pu-ra.   So it's toe-play.
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: kishy on Fri, 26 March 2010, 17:29:34
Quote from: Pettifogger;167156
The Japanese characters for Topre are 東プレ or to-o-pu-re. The second o just means it's a long o. Pu-re sounds like the English word pray or play. Oprah is written and spoken in Japanese as O-pu-ra.   So it's toe-play.


Wouldn't a long O make it too-pray?
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: kishy on Fri, 26 March 2010, 20:44:58
Actually webwit (and anyone else making the same point) is correct.

It's a combination of two English words, and we're saying it in English. The way Japanese letters are pronounced is irrelevant because it is an English 'word' and they are speaking English when they say it.
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: HaaTa on Fri, 26 March 2010, 21:16:30
But Tokyo isn't an english word :P

And anyone who says Toe key oh instead of Toe kyo is just wrong.


And webwit, you are correct

Quote
That, and if these so called experts were right, the recording would have said "topless corporation".


It could also mean "topless corporation", not that I'd be complaining or anything.
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: ricercar on Fri, 26 March 2010, 21:41:35
Quote from: ripster;167255
That's how they say it at the Alabama Plant[


Immediately invalidated for a pronunciation guide, bee caws awf dah dayp sawth aaksent.
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: EverythingIBM on Fri, 26 March 2010, 22:58:52
Another japanese fun-fact: the guy who named "Roland" (as in the music company), randomly picked the name from a phone book. Kind of ironic since they had trouble pronouncing the Rs.

And I kind of like English (the only language that doesn't make every word a gender).
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: chuckading on Sat, 27 March 2010, 01:51:25
Quote from: HaaTa;166931

Toe-poo-reh



This is what the Japanese speaking mom and Korean daughter are saying it is.  I lived in Seoul (gangnam) for over a year just recently and this is how I imagined they would say it.  

Maybe they are trying to pronounce our english characters of Topre, but either way, you pronounce it like quoted above in both countries, the KB geeks will know what you're talking about.
Title: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: didjamatic on Sat, 27 March 2010, 07:32:44
People in Alabama would pronounce Tokyo Press as "Tokyo Prayess" so this both supports the pronunciation being like the word "PRESS" and discounts the accuracy of their local dialect.

00:16 Community pronounced "communitaaay"
00:20 Deadline pronounced "dead-laaaayne"
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: tjcaustin on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:04:51
JWAZ told me to necro this ****

It's toprah
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: kmiller8 on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:05:01
Vote. http://poll.pollcode.com/8hdls
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Sifo on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:05:13
Toe Pray
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Halverson on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:05:32
TOE PERRRRR
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Jocelyn on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:06:57
Quote from: Halverson on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:05:32
TOE PERRRRR

I don't even own one, but I know how to do an "e" in Japanese :p
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: jwaz on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:07:09
Posting in a troll thread :D :D :D

also TowPuhRay
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: SmallFry on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:07:17
(http://cdn.head-fi.org/3/38/387e003f_HolyNecroPost_759032.jpeg)
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Halverson on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:07:59
**** RUGHT OFF SF
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Halverson on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:08:10
SF SF SF SF SFSF S FSFSF SFSF SSF SFSFS FSFSF SF
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Sifo on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:08:21
SF are my initials
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: jwaz on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:08:53
This is relevant to our conversation. and by conversation I mean argument.
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: ApocalypseMaow on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:09:35
For some reason I want to say Thorp.  :-[
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: tjcaustin on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:10:05
Quote from: JesuswasaZombie on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:08:53
This is relevant to our conversation. and by conversation I mean argument.

I wouldn't say argument, I would say I'm being exaggeratedly exhasperated
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: SmallFry on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:10:55
I used to say Filco as "Flick-oh"
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: The_Beast on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:11:43
I always say "toe pray" by that y be silent!
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Jocelyn on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:12:50
Quote from: The_Beast on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:11:43
I always say "toe pray" by that y be silent!

You good sir are correct, but you already know this.
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Halverson on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:14:38
Quote from: Jocelyn on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:12:50
Quote from: The_Beast on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:11:43
I always say "toe pray" by that y be silent!

You good sir are correct, but you already know this.


SHUT THE **** UP. YOU ARE NOT INVOLVED!!!!
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: The_Beast on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:15:37
Quote from: Jocelyn on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:12:50
Quote from: The_Beast on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:11:43
I always say "toe pray" by that y be silent!

You good sir are correct, but you already know this.


I DIDN'T READ THE THREAD! CUT ME A BREAK
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Jocelyn on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:15:42
Quote from: Halverson on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:14:38
Quote from: Jocelyn on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:12:50
Quote from: The_Beast on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:11:43
I always say "toe pray" by that y be silent!

You good sir are correct, but you already know this.


SHUT THE **** UP. YOU ARE NOT INVOLVED!!!!

Lol sorry, I'll just go pay my invoice from CC instead. You drinking too? :p
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Halverson on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:16:54
Quote from: Jocelyn on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:15:42
Quote from: Halverson on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:14:38
Quote from: Jocelyn on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:12:50
Quote from: The_Beast on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:11:43
I always say "toe pray" by that y be silent!

You good sir are correct, but you already know this.


SHUT THE **** UP. YOU ARE NOT INVOLVED!!!!

Lol sorry, I'll just go pay my invoice from CC instead. You drinking too? :p


You are a fancy lady, and I am sorry for cursing at you
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Sifo on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:17:15
^ I can vouch for him that he's genuinely sorry
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: tjcaustin on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:19:39
Quote from: Sifo on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:17:15
^ I can vouch for him that he's genuinely sorry

As can I.  I told him to apologize even
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: jwaz on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:20:59
Quote from: Sifo on Fri, 10 May 2013, 23:17:15
^ I can vouch for him that he's genuinely drunk as ****

FTFY
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Rule16 on Sat, 11 May 2013, 00:18:52
How you pronounce something is basedon your accent... pronounce it whichever way sounds right to you.
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: crthell on Sat, 11 May 2013, 00:41:56
Damn, this post rose from the dead...

Anyway, I've always said toe-PRAY. I picked that up from Phototristan on Youtube when he did his HHKB review. If it is wrong, blame him :D
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: eth0s on Sat, 11 May 2013, 02:36:18
You guys are totally wrong, it's pronounced "TOP-Ree".
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: mauri on Sat, 11 May 2013, 07:02:51
I pronounce it exactly how its spelled, no pronunciation.
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Blue_Moon on Sat, 11 May 2013, 09:10:12
It's pronounced, ねくろ.  :))

Japanese doesn't have final consonants, so no "top". It's gotta be "to".

I can't read Kanji (someone posted the kanji earlier). I'm gonna guess at the "p", as "puh". So, "toe-puh-ray".
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: zoolzoo on Sat, 11 May 2013, 09:26:12
I pronounce it "Toe-per".
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: phetto on Sat, 11 May 2013, 09:39:15
Topre is just short for Tokyo Press?
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: zoolzoo on Sat, 11 May 2013, 09:48:02
Quote from: Blue_Moon on Sat, 11 May 2013, 09:10:12
It's pronounced, ねくろ.  :))

Japanese doesn't have final consonants, so no "top". It's gotta be "to".

I can't read Kanji (someone posted the kanji earlier). I'm gonna guess at the "p", as "puh". So, "toe-puh-ray".

This is most likely correct.
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: TreeSc2 on Sat, 11 May 2013, 11:21:10
Ive been saiyng Top-Reh  almost like topper LOL.
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: AKIMbO on Sat, 11 May 2013, 11:43:21
(http://i39.tinypic.com/33e4pj4.jpg)
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: TreeSc2 on Sat, 11 May 2013, 11:53:42
HAHAHAA thats hilarious.
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: nar on Sat, 11 May 2013, 13:08:53
Well the Kanji is 東プレ
In just katakana it would be トウプレ

Of course its just short for Tokyo Press and you can just take the first consonant of Tokyo with the first part of the Press and make it Topre.
If you want to say it like in Japanese but don't know to to pronouce Japanese, I'd say just say the first part of Tokyo, then say Per but add a Pr sound to P like your saying Prussian
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: lazerpointer on Sat, 11 May 2013, 15:33:07
http://translate.google.com/#en/ja/Topre

/thread
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Turbo Slaab on Sat, 11 May 2013, 15:42:29
Quote from: lazerpointer on Sat, 11 May 2013, 15:33:07
http://translate.google.com/#en/ja/Topre

/thread

How do you turn off the southern accent?
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: jwaz on Sat, 11 May 2013, 16:00:12
Quote from: lazerpointer on Sat, 11 May 2013, 15:33:07
http://translate.google.com/#en/ja/Topre (http://translate.google.com/#en/ja/Topre)

/thread

So if you hit show phonetics you get: "Tō-Pu-Re" (Ō, ō = over, roll)

"Tou-Puh-Reh"
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: lazerpointer on Sat, 11 May 2013, 16:06:09
Quote from: Turbo Slaab on Sat, 11 May 2013, 15:42:29
Quote from: lazerpointer on Sat, 11 May 2013, 15:33:07
http://translate.google.com/#en/ja/Topre

/thread

How do you turn off the southern accent?

Hahaha.... I know - the English speaking girl says "topper" but she's just wrong....
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: The_Beast on Sat, 11 May 2013, 16:08:17
Quote from: lazerpointer on Sat, 11 May 2013, 16:06:09
Quote from: Turbo Slaab on Sat, 11 May 2013, 15:42:29
Quote from: lazerpointer on Sat, 11 May 2013, 15:33:07
http://translate.google.com/#en/ja/Topre

/thread

How do you turn off the southern accent?

Hahaha.... I know - the English speaking girl says "topper" but she's just wrong....

I like the Spanish one, it's nice :P
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sat, 11 May 2013, 16:08:33
Quote from: zoolzoo on Sat, 11 May 2013, 09:26:12
I pronounce it "Toe-per".

This :o
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Findecanor on Sat, 11 May 2013, 16:53:34
I pronounce "Topre" as toe-pur because I pronounce words like "centre" as sent-ur.
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Chase5delta on Sat, 11 May 2013, 19:20:06
I pronounce it as toe preh, Toe as in Tokyo and Preh as in Press. Because that just makes logical sense seeing as that is what Topre is short for...
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Blue_Moon on Sat, 11 May 2013, 19:35:24
Quote from: lazerpointer on Sat, 11 May 2013, 15:33:07
http://translate.google.com/#en/ja/Topre

/thread

Thank you. I didn't know Google Translate sounds it out. #TIL
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: calavera on Sat, 11 May 2013, 19:38:50
Well the google translate sound is wrong. It's pronounced Toe-puh-reh.
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: codyeatworld on Sat, 11 May 2013, 19:43:55
I've been saying TOE PER.

The toprah pic is hilarious haha.
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: eth0s on Sat, 11 May 2013, 20:14:44
Quote from: calavera on Sat, 11 May 2013, 19:38:50
Well the google translate sound is wrong. It's pronounced Toe-puh-reh.

Well it should really be To-puh-reh, said without an English transient vowel sound on the "Toe" (i.e, no diphthong on the "Toe", as there are no diphthongs in Japanese).  Also, there are no stressed syllables in Japanese either.
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Muffet on Sat, 11 May 2013, 20:34:51
Is it sad that until I heard it pronounced in a video I read it as "T-or-p" ? I thought of it that way so long I actually prefer that pronunciation and still think of that way.  :))
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: noisyturtle on Sun, 12 May 2013, 01:38:43
Toe pray.
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: GeoTang on Sun, 12 May 2013, 03:40:47
t-Oprah
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: davkol on Sun, 12 May 2013, 04:33:49
It's  funny (or sad?) how people keep incorrectly answering an already answered question.
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Jocelyn on Sun, 12 May 2013, 04:48:51
Quote from: davkol on Sun, 12 May 2013, 04:33:49
It's  funny (or sad?) how people keep incorrectly answering an already answered question.

lol This^
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: kmiller8 on Sun, 12 May 2013, 04:51:16
Quote from: davkol on Sun, 12 May 2013, 04:33:49
It's  funny (or sad?) how people keep incorrectly answering an already answered question.

(http://i.imgur.com/ACJi4.png)
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Halverson on Sun, 12 May 2013, 04:51:33
Quote from: Jocelyn on Sun, 12 May 2013, 04:48:51
Quote from: davkol on Sun, 12 May 2013, 04:33:49
It's  funny (or sad?) how people keep incorrectly answering an already answered question.

lol This^

What did we discuss last night? tisk tisk tisk
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Ghostpixel on Sun, 12 May 2013, 12:14:22
I use my powerful swedish accent, and i say it like: TOP-RE (with the first part sounding like the word "TOP" (lol) and the ending "-RE" fast and sounding like when you say the word "rent" (before the "nt" part of the word :) And no special delay between the parts either)).
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sun, 12 May 2013, 22:34:13
Quote from: davkol on Sun, 12 May 2013, 04:33:49
It's  funny (or sad?) how people keep incorrectly answering an already answered question.

so maybe we need a sticky post with a video of the proper pronunciation of it so people won't keep thinking it's just oprah with a T in front :p
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: noisyturtle on Sun, 12 May 2013, 23:01:59
OK, I just contacted Topre manufacturing and have a definitive answer.

"The T is silent. The O is pronounced as an ŏ. The P & R together form a 'qwa' sound. Finally the E is sounded out like the word marzipan minus the M. So the correct pronunciation of our company and keyboard line is: AH-QWA-RZIPAN. Thank you for contacting Topre Manufacturing."

Well, there you have it folks. The one true answer.
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Ghostpixel on Mon, 13 May 2013, 09:13:36
This thread must never die!
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Melvang on Mon, 13 May 2013, 12:07:34
Quote from: didjamatic on Thu, 25 March 2010, 16:13:41
That's awesome Webwit, I didn't think of that, but you're right. 

So we have English speakers calling Japanese speakers who prounounce what sounds like an English word, then we're forwarding it to a Korean speaker who's mother speaks Japanese.... If we keep it up, we're liable to cause a glitch in the Matrix.

Sorry to thread crap a bit but as soon as i read this line I almost fell off my chair laughing so hard.  It reminded me of a guy at work a while ago.  Now keep in mind this is a union job but a laborer said and i quote "I had to go out to the Millwright trailer to get Carpenter tools for an Ironworker." 

Sorry for the break please continue.
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Spokoman on Mon, 13 May 2013, 13:18:30
Sorry this is a bit off topic, but when someone posted the Japanese are lazy with English pronunciation it reminded me of meeting a Ukrainian physicist. I can't remember his name, because it was in 2006, but he's a known figure, has a constant named after him...

anyway, this guy when talking about physics instead of "particle" he'd say "partic".
Or instead of "possible", "possib". He confused the sh*h out of me at first  :))
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Halverson on Sat, 18 May 2013, 18:43:05
So, I was discussing with my colleagues here at the institute, and we decided it is actually "Topper". Tah-per.

You're all welcome!
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: kmiller8 on Sat, 18 May 2013, 18:43:45
Quote from: Halverson on Sat, 18 May 2013, 18:43:05
So, I was discussing with my colleagues here at the institute, and we decided it is actually "Topper". Tah-per.

You're all welcome!

His "colleagues" http://translate.google.com/#en/ja/Topre
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Sifo on Sat, 18 May 2013, 18:44:30
Ah, I see.

Topper
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 06 June 2013, 06:52:52
Bump for people to find and be enlightened.
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: fruktstund on Thu, 06 June 2013, 07:38:49
Oh, it's this thread.

I think of it as "トプレ", but my pronunciation is probably more like /topre/ with the most notable difference being an alveolar trill instead of an alveolar flap, at least when speaking in my native tongue. When pronouncing it in Japanese, I tend to pronounce the Japanese "u" sound, although a bit silent. I usually try to also use the alveolar flap when speaking Japanese, but it's a bit of an unnatural sound for a Swede, so from time to time I fail and pronounce it either with an alveolar trill or a more English-sounding alveolar approximant instead.

However, all pronunciations are probably right, since it really depends on your native tongue. The Japanese pronounce "Tokyo" correctly, while most English speakers do not. From an English-speaking perspective, however, the Japanese pronounce "pre" wrong instead, since it's an English word originally. From a Swedish perspective, well, we just hate everything except coffee and snaps.
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: thefunkyprimer on Thu, 06 June 2013, 07:41:01
Is it bad that I'm less sure how to pronounce it after reading this thread?
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Bratman on Thu, 06 June 2013, 08:29:07
I always just pronounce it toper like toe pe.
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: kmiller8 on Thu, 06 June 2013, 08:29:58
topper
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: CommunistWitchDr on Thu, 06 June 2013, 08:32:42
Tea(as in the drink)-oper(as in operation)-e(as in the letter e)
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: grips on Thu, 06 June 2013, 13:18:05
Quote from: thefunkyprimer on Thu, 06 June 2013, 07:41:01
Is it bad that I'm less sure how to pronounce it after reading this thread?

The name in Japanese is 東プレ, so it would be pronounced 'toh-pu-ray' with not much enunciation on the u after the p (meaning more like pray).
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: DrinkTea on Thu, 06 June 2013, 13:42:38
to̞ːpɯᵝɾe̞

should be correct in IPA. Although there's some variation in the 'r' sound so that might not be right.
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: sth on Thu, 06 June 2013, 13:53:19
tryngle
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: thefunkyprimer on Thu, 06 June 2013, 16:50:41
Quote from: grips on Thu, 06 June 2013, 13:18:05
Quote from: thefunkyprimer on Thu, 06 June 2013, 07:41:01
Is it bad that I'm less sure how to pronounce it after reading this thread?

The name in Japanese is 東プレ, so it would be pronounced 'toh-pu-ray' with not much enunciation on the u after the p (meaning more like pray).


Awesome. That's exactly what I figured.
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: keymaster on Thu, 06 June 2013, 16:52:06
This thread is the evil plot of Cherry MX owners who want to divide and conquer Topre owners :P
Let them bicker amongst themselves!
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: hasu on Thu, 06 June 2013, 21:28:25
Google link kmiller8 posted really does a job correctly if you want to know how Japanese pronounce 東プレ/Topre. Unfortunately no amuse there :p

http://translate.google.com/#ja/en/%E6%9D%B1%E3%83%97%E3%83%AC

Sorry for thread crapping, go on!
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: DrinkTea on Thu, 06 June 2013, 21:59:29
I gave you the pronunciation in IPA. Why no love. I wasn't just writing gibberish you know. And since it's Japanese I doubt they've decided on an official English pronunciation. So say what sounds right. Or just try to go with what's close sounding to the original.
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: y0fate on Thu, 06 June 2013, 22:13:17
I always assumed it was Ta-pray, but after this thread I am starting to question my life. All of it.
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Sifo on Fri, 07 June 2013, 01:09:47
It's Topper.
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Dubsgalore on Fri, 07 June 2013, 01:22:08
Tope-Ray
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Halverson on Fri, 07 June 2013, 01:23:09
Tah-purr
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: grips on Fri, 07 June 2013, 08:07:53
(https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQI9EN-iR7pIRU29opBdR_o2xqAWiEEUE6jMBg8LobQrGvB1VnQMDz941Za)
Title: Re: Topre Pronunciation
Post by: Lupizza on Fri, 07 June 2013, 15:37:12
It's top-ray, and thus basta.  ^-^