5 Netflix show names you’re probably pronouncing wrong
Lots of us read about, discuss, or even watch Netflix series without ever knowing the intended pronunciation of their names.
Remember when the company claimed that English speakers should say emi-lee in par-ee?
Friendly reminder Emily in Paris is supposed to be pronounced with a French accent so 'Emily' and 'Paris' rhyme
— Netflix (@netflix) November 11, 2020
One of the most common difficulties is with foreign titles. Netflix often renames these shows (The Killing is named Forbrydelsen, which literally translates to The Crime, in its native Denmark), but when they're left untranslated, it can be difficult to know if you're pronouncing them correctly.
Here, we've used our text-to-speech technology to help you get to grips with the standard pronunciation of five popular Netflix titles.
Lupin
Netflix has just launched five new episodes of Lupin, a French mystery thriller that has been Number 1 in Netflix’s Top 10 in most countries across the world. It’s the most-watched non–English language Netflix Original, with 70 million views.
The show’s protagonist is inspired by the adventures of Arsène Lupin, a fictional thief created by French writer Maurice Leblanc.
Mispronunciation of the eponymous show’s name is so common, Netflix have launched a video to try to solve the issue. You might not be able to nail the French accent, but loo-pan is less of a faux pas than loo-pin or luh-pin.
Are you pronouncing "Lupin" correctly? pic.twitter.com/xMkEGSrvVl
— Netflix (@netflix) June 13, 2021
Borgen
Borgen is a BAFTA award–winning Danish political drama named after the nickname given to Christiansborg Palace, the home of the Danish government. It’s pronounced more like the English word born as opposed to what it looks like: borg-en.
You have to say it “like you have a hot potato in your throat”, Nordic Noir Tours guide Dieuwetje Visser told the BBC.
Fauda
Fauda is an Israeli TV series based on the creators’ experiences in the Israel Defence Forces. The show has a 100% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The name Fauda comes from the Arabic word فوضى (fawḍā), meaning chaos. English speakers might think it's pronounced for-da, but it’s more like fow-da, almost rhyming with louder.
Atelier
Atelier is named Underwear in its native Japan, but this drama was retitled for English-speaking audiences. An atelier is a designer’s workshop, so both names are equally appropriate when you consider that the show is set in a lingerie design house.
As the word atelier has French origins, we recommend that it’s pronounced a-telli-ay.
Fallet
Fallet is a spoof of the Nordic noir genre, in which Swedish and English detectives are paired up to investigate the murder of an English man in Sweden. The show stars Adam Godley, known for appearances in shows like Breaking Bad, Suits, and The Umbrella Academy.
This Swedish title translates into The Case. You’d be forgiven for thinking Fallet rhymes with ballet, but fal-et is the way to go.
BeyondWords' text-to-speech technology detects foreign words so that they're pronounced correctly every time. To turn your written content into quality audio, start your free trial today.
Sources
https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/every-viewing-statistic-netflix-has-released-so-far-june-2021/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-29833901
https://www.bafta.org/television/awards/television-awards-winners-in-2012#jump14
