One makes the K sound before the S (Asterix, which could just as easily be spelled Asteriks) and one makes the S sound before the K (asterisk). Very easy to jumble up, especially for people who speak quickly. Since our language has so many words that end in the KS sound compared to the SK sound, it can feel more natural to say it that way. Sort of like how Wednesday (pronounced wed-ens-day) came to be widely accepted as wends-day because the D and the N together are easy sounds to mix up given that many tongues find it easier to put the N sound before the D.
You're speaking sense there... I can hear the hard K sound when it's after the S, but not the other way about. And if Rebecca speaks truly then I would rarely be hearing the first instance (not in this accent area, anyways).
Note that I have no science whatsoever to back up any of that, and fully expect Tim to show up and correct me.
He might give you an encouragement award instead?
________________________________________________
Two Wongs
Former Officer, ASI
Now mature and sensible... *MySmiley*
Two Wongs
Former Officer, ASI
Now mature and sensible... *MySmiley*
Today, I am finding the mispronunciation of "asterisk" very amusing.
- 20/09/2011 01:45:02 PM
543 Views
*NM*
What about "asterex", king of typographical glyphs? *NM*
- 20/09/2011 10:58:05 PM
183 Views
I'm picturing a giant grammatical lizard. *NM*
- 20/09/2011 11:16:08 PM
189 Views
Is it only in Aussie that my ears can barely distinguish between the two?
- 21/09/2011 03:03:30 PM
355 Views
They are pretty similar.
- 21/09/2011 03:44:34 PM
387 Views
*eats popcorn and awaits*
- 21/09/2011 04:01:50 PM
496 Views
Rebecca? Rebecca? Holy moses. You are dead to me, woman.
- 21/09/2011 11:00:13 PM
386 Views
*steals Wongers' popcorn and giggles at the suddent twist in the plot* *NM*
- 21/09/2011 11:16:05 PM
155 Views