How To Pronounce Wilkes Barre?

Have you ever wondered how to pronounce Wilkes-Barre? If so, you’re not alone. This city in Pennsylvania has a unique pronunciation that can be tricky for non-natives. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how to say Wilkes-Barre correctly, and we’ll also provide some tips on how to improve your pronunciation. So whether you’re a local or just passing through, read on to learn how to pronounce Wilkes-Barre like a pro!

Syllables	IPA	Audio
3	/wlks br/	Click here to listen

Wilkes-Barre is a city in Pennsylvania, United States. It is the county seat of Luzerne County and the second-largest city in the county. The city is located in the northeastern part of the state, along the Susquehanna River. Wilkes-Barre is a major center of industry and commerce, and is home to a number of colleges and universities.

The pronunciation of Wilkes-Barre has been a source of debate for many years. There are a number of different ways to pronounce the city’s name, and the correct pronunciation can vary depending on the speaker’s regional dialect.

In this article, we will discuss the history of the pronunciation of Wilkes-Barre, the different regional pronunciations of the city’s name, and some common mispronunciations. We will also provide tips on how to avoid mispronouncing Wilkes-Barre.

History of the Pronunciation

The name Wilkes-Barre is derived from the names of two men: John Wilkes and Isaac Barre. John Wilkes was a British politician who was a vocal critic of the government. Isaac Barre was a British army officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War.

The name Wilkes-Barre was first used in the 1760s to refer to a tract of land that was owned by John Wilkes. The land was later purchased by Isaac Barre, and the name Wilkes-Barre was eventually applied to the town that was built on the land.

The pronunciation of Wilkes-Barre has changed over time. In the early days of the town, the name was pronounced with a long “a” in the first syllable. This pronunciation is still common in some parts of the country, especially in the South. However, the more common pronunciation today is with a short “a” in the first syllable.

There are also a number of different ways to pronounce the second syllable of Wilkes-Barre. Some people pronounce it with a long “e” sound, while others pronounce it with a short “e” sound. The most common pronunciation today is with a short “e” sound.

Different Regional Pronunciations

The pronunciation of Wilkes-Barre can vary depending on the speaker’s regional dialect. In the South, the name is often pronounced with a long “a” in the first syllable and a long “e” in the second syllable. This pronunciation is also common in some parts of the Midwest.

In the Northeast, the name is more commonly pronounced with a short “a” in the first syllable and a short “e” in the second syllable. This pronunciation is also common in some parts of the West.

The following table provides a summary of the different regional pronunciations of Wilkes-Barre:

| Region | Pronunciation |
|—|—|
| South | “WIL-kess-BAR-ree” |
| Midwest | “WIL-kess-BAR-ree” |
| Northeast | “WIL-kess-BAR-ree” |
| West | “WIL-kess-BAR-ree” |

Common Mispronunciations

There are a number of common mispronunciations of Wilkes-Barre. Some people pronounce the name with a long “i” in the first syllable, as in “WILL-kis-BAR-ree.” Others pronounce the name with a long “o” in the first syllable, as in “WOOL-kess-BAR-ree.”

The most common mispronunciation of Wilkes-Barre is to pronounce the name with a long “a” in the first syllable and a long “e” in the second syllable. This pronunciation is often heard in the South.

Why People Mispronounce Wilkes-Barre

There are a number of reasons why people mispronounce Wilkes-Barre. Some people may not be familiar with the city’s name, and they may mispronounce it based on the way it looks. Others may be influenced by the way the name is pronounced in other parts of the country.

How to Avoid Mispronouncing Wilkes-Barre

If you are not sure how to pronounce Wilkes-Barre, the best way to avoid mispronouncing it is to ask someone who is familiar with the city. You can also look up the pronunciation of the city’s name online.

Here are some tips on how to pronounce Wilkes-Barre correctly:

• Pronounce the first syllable with a short “a” sound, as in “apple.”
• Pronounce the second syllable with a short “e” sound, as in “bed.”
• Do not add a silent “r” sound to the end of the word

3. Tips for Pronouncing Wilkes-Barre

How to correctly pronounce the “W” sound in Wilkes-Barre

The “W” sound in Wilkes-Barre is pronounced as a voiced labio-velar approximant, which means that it is made by bringing the lips together and then releasing the air from the lungs. The tongue is positioned behind the teeth, and the sound is produced by vibrating the vocal cords.

Here is a step-by-step guide to pronouncing the “W” sound in Wilkes-Barre:

1. Start by saying the letter “V.”
2. Keep your lips in the same position, but release the air from your lungs.
3. The sound should be produced by vibrating your vocal cords.

Here are some words that contain the “W” sound in Wilkes-Barre:

• win
• wet
• wall
• water

How to correctly pronounce the “Barre” sound in Wilkes-Barre

The “Barre” sound in Wilkes-Barre is pronounced as a long “a” sound, which means that it is made by raising the tongue to the roof of the mouth and then letting it fall back. The lips are rounded, and the sound is produced by vibrating the vocal cords.

Here is a step-by-step guide to pronouncing the “Barre” sound in Wilkes-Barre:

1. Start by saying the letter “a.”
2. Keep your tongue in the same position, but raise the back of your tongue to the roof of your mouth.
3. The sound should be produced by vibrating your vocal cords.

Here are some words that contain the “Barre” sound in Wilkes-Barre:

• car
• bar
• far
• star

How to stress the correct syllables in Wilkes-Barre

The correct way to stress the syllables in Wilkes-Barre is to put the stress on the first syllable. This means that the first syllable should be pronounced louder and longer than the other syllables.

Here is a step-by-step guide to stressing the correct syllables in Wilkes-Barre:

1. Say the word “Wilkes-Barre” out loud.
2. Listen to the way that the word sounds.
3. Notice that the first syllable is louder and longer than the other syllables.

Here are some other words that are pronounced with the stress on the first syllable:

• America
• banana
• elephant
• Mississippi

4. Resources for Learning How to Pronounce Wilkes-Barre

There are a number of resources available for learning how to pronounce Wilkes-Barre. Here are a few of the most helpful:

• Online resources

There are a number of online resources that can help you learn how to pronounce Wilkes-Barre. One helpful resource is the website “How to Pronounce Words.” This website provides pronunciation guides for thousands of words, including Wilkes-Barre. Another helpful resource is the website “Forvo.” This website allows you to listen to native speakers pronounce words in a variety of languages, including English.

• Books and other resources

There are also a number of books and other resources that can help you learn how to pronounce Wilkes-Barre. One helpful book is “The Pronunciation of American English.” This book provides detailed pronunciation guides for all of the sounds in American English, including the “W” sound and the “Barre” sound. Another helpful resource is the “Oxford English Dictionary.” This dictionary includes pronunciation guides for all of the words in the English language, including Wilkes-Barre.

• Audio recordings

There are also a number of audio recordings that can help you learn how to pronounce Wilkes-Barre. One helpful resource is the website “Sounds of English.” This website provides audio recordings of native speakers pronouncing words in a variety of accents, including American English. Another helpful resource is the website “YouTube.” This website allows you to watch videos of native speakers pronouncing words in a variety of languages, including English.

Learning how to pronounce Wilkes-Barre can be difficult, but it is important to get the pronunciation right. By following the tips and resources in this article, you can learn how to pronounce Wilkes-Barre correctly and impress your friends and colleagues.

How do you pronounce Wilkes-Barre?

Wilkes-Barre is pronounced “WIL-kess BAH-ree.” The stress is on the second syllable, and the “s” is silent.

Why is Wilkes-Barre pronounced that way?

The pronunciation of Wilkes-Barre is derived from the original Welsh pronunciation of the town’s name, which was “Wil-kess-ber-ri.” The “s” was dropped over time, and the stress shifted to the second syllable.

**Is there a more common way to pronounce Wilkes-Barre?

No, there is no more common way to pronounce Wilkes-Barre. The pronunciation “WIL-kess BAH-ree” is the standard pronunciation of the town’s name.

**What if I pronounce Wilkes-Barre incorrectly?

Don’t worry! Most people who are not from the area pronounce Wilkes-Barre incorrectly. As long as you are trying your best, you will be understood.

**Are there any other interesting things about the pronunciation of Wilkes-Barre?

Yes, there are a few other interesting things about the pronunciation of Wilkes-Barre.

• The town’s name is often misspelled as “Wilkes-Barree.” This is incorrect, as the “e” at the end of the second syllable is silent.
• The town’s name is sometimes mispronounced as “WIL-kess BEAR-ee.” This is incorrect, as the stress is on the second syllable, not the third.
• The town’s name is sometimes mispronounced as “WIL-kess BARE-ee.” This is incorrect, as the “r” is not pronounced.

**I’m still not sure how to pronounce Wilkes-Barre. Can you help me?

Yes, I can help you. Here is a simple guide to help you pronounce Wilkes-Barre correctly:

1. Start by saying the word “will.”
2. Add the sound “kess” to the end of the word “will.”
3. Add the sound “bah” to the end of the word “kess.”

That’s it! You’re now pronouncing Wilkes-Barre correctly.

there is no one definitive way to pronounce Wilkes-Barre. However, the most common pronunciation is “WILK-ess BAH-ree.” This pronunciation is based on the historical pronunciation of the city’s name, which was derived from the names of two early settlers, Colonel Isaac Wilkes and Colonel John Barre. While there are other ways to pronounce the city’s name, such as “WILK-ess BEAR-ee” or “WILK-iss BARE-ee,” the “WILK-ess BAH-ree” pronunciation is the most widely accepted.