Pronunciation of al-Queda

Factual Questions
1

In mainstream US media, I’ve heard al-Queda pronounced like “al-KAY-duh” and “al-KUY-duh.” On the BBC World Service, it’s “al-kyu-EEE-duh.” I’ve heard commentators on National Public Radio say “ah-KAHD” and “al-KEE-ahh-duh,” but then again these are the folks who gave us “nee-KAH-lah-goo-wah” ten years ago.

So, those who are fluent in Arabic … how do you pronounce al-Queda?

2

I thought it was al-Qaeda?

3

And is it Osama or Usama?

I’ve seen Osama everywhere… but Fox news insists on Usama.

4

Arabic uses different everything, from characters to dipthongs (I have always wanted to use that…). Translating the pronunciation to roman characters is difficult. See here for more info.

Doing a little Googling[sup]TM[/sup], I have surmised the following:

  1. There are approximately 32 variations of spelling for the leader of Lybia’s name. (Qaddafi, etc.)

  2. There are many spellings of other common Arabic words/names:
    Muhammad, Mohammed, Mohamed, Mahomet
    Quran, Koran, Qur’an
    Osama bin Laden, Usama bin Laden, Usama bin Ladin, Osama bin Ladin
    al-Qaeda, al-Qaida, al-Qa’ida, al-Qa’eda
    Mecca, Makkah, Mekkah

  3. The pronunciation of al-Qaeda, according to the Voice of America, is al K-EYE-(eh)-duh

  4. The FBI is now knocking on my door.

5

Okay … so can I ask how you spell it, too? :smiley:

6

I don’t know

7

If you want to get some really weird looks, try pronouncing the q the Arabic way. Put your tongue at the back of your mouth, and try to make a k sound. You should end up with a deeper, breathy sound.

As for the rest of the word, I couldn’t say. All of the pronunciations could be right - there are a lot of regional accents in Arabic.

8

AL-kye-AY-da