pronunciation of the word "amen"

[photosynthesis]

I have observed that in different denominations and regions, people pronounce this word differently. In Latin, it's pronounced "ah-men" but in most Catholic churches I hear it pronounced "ay-men," and that is how I grew up pronouncing it.

[prose]

When I went to the states it was weird b/c all over here in Alberta we say "ah-men" I had never heard "ay-men" in Mass until I wentr to Seattle...

[Dudette]

[quote name='prose' date='Oct 20 2005, 02:51 PM']When I went to the states it was weird b/c all over here in Alberta we say "ah-men"  I had never heard "ay-men" in Mass until I wentr to Seattle...
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Yeah, Canadians say "ah-men," Americans use "eh-men" (or ay-men, whatever). I dunno if there's a correct one, but if there is I'm gussing it's ah-men.

[scardella]

I believe either is acceptable...
(pronounced ī'-thər or ē'-thər)

Edited October 20, 2005 by scardella

[Aloysius]

it seems to me that sometimes you should say one and sometimes the other, depending on the context. kinda like "the"

[photosynthesis]

[quote name='Aloysius' date='Oct 20 2005, 02:14 PM']it seems to me that sometimes you should say one and sometimes the other, depending on the context.  kinda like "the"
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this is true... when I'm praying in English, I usually say "ay-men" but when I'm praying in Latin, I'll say "ah-men." And in most choral music, it's pronounced the Latin way.

[Proud2BCatholic139]

Yeah I do that too...the context way...

Most of the time I say Ah-men.

I'm used to that way.

[tojo]

[quote name='Aloysius' date='Oct 20 2005, 02:14 PM']it seems to me that sometimes you should say one and sometimes the other, depending on the context.  kinda like "the"
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I tend to say "ah-men" for rote prayers, and "ay-men" for spontaneous prayers and for "Amen" ejaculations (I was Pentecostal, sue me! lol). Of course now my "amen" is often given at the end of the "rote" sign of the cross, so I say "ah-men" even when the rest of the prayer is spontaneous.

[morostheos]

I also say both. I'm really not sure which I say when, but I know I say it both ways.

[OldFashionedGirl]

I say "Ah-men".

[SarahB]

I say it ay-men. I've always look at people weird when they say it ah-men. :

[Old_Joe]

Ya know what's really funny? When I was at WYD 2002, my group was near a group of Jamaicans. They pronounced it Eh-mon. I'm not joking. my friend and I kept doing that for the entire trip. It was hilarious.

[photosynthesis]

[quote name='Old_Joe' date='Oct 20 2005, 08:09 PM']Ya know what's really funny?  When I was at WYD 2002, my group was near a group of Jamaicans.  They pronounced it Eh-mon.  I'm not joking.  my friend and I kept doing that for the entire trip.  It was hilarious.
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that's so cool

[RC_]

[img]http://www.deafmissions.com/dic/reference/amen.gif[/img]

that, or

Ah-Men

Edited October 21, 2005 by RC_

[son_of_angels]

Ah-men is actually correct because it is a transliteration from the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. As someone who knows a little Greek, that is whence I can argue. If it were ay-men, as in being a dipthong, which long vowels (when put in a particular position) really are in English, then in Greek it would have more than one letter at the beginning, e.g. it would be spelled epsilon iota mu epsilon nu (eimen). As it is, the word is spelled alpha mu eta nu (amen). So if you wanted to use classical pronunciation or modern pronunciation, it would be a short a and long e (length based on quantity and NOT quality), or, according to Rennaissance pronunciation, almost like ah-mayn (in both cases with the accent on the ultima). This is largely the same in Latin.

Edited October 21, 2005 by son_of_angels

[photosynthesis]

I have a friend who pronounces it "ah-mayn"

[Extra ecclesiam nulla salus]

in latin its pronounced ah-men

photosynthesis did you see the thing in The tridentine mass thread i posted about that church you asked me about?

[photosynthesis]

no, I didn't

[RemnantRules]

I do both

[CrossCuT]

[color=330000]I dont think it really matters how you pronounce it, but it is different in Latin.

In Latin is more of an AH-men
And in english I would say AY-men

Maybe Im crazy.
But I go to latin masses all the time at my parish, so Im just saying.

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