The pronunciation of the word “colonel” in British English often confuses Americans because the British pronounce it differently. While Americans say “kurnel,” the British say “kernel.” This difference stems from the etymology and evolution of the word colonel over time.
Origins of the Rank Colonel
The word “colonel” originated in the mid-16th century from the French word “colonel,” which came from the Italian word “colonnello.” “Colonnello” was the term used for the commander of a column of soldiers. The French adopted this term for their army to denote the commander of a regiment.
When the word entered English, it retained the French pronunciation of “kolon-ell.” However, in the 17th century, the pronunciation began to change to be more similar to how its spelled, so “kurnel” became common.
British Pronunciation Sticks to Origins
Even as American English started saying “kurnel,” British English retained the original French-influenced pronunciation of “kernel.”
So today, British English has kept the original pronunciation from French and Italian, while American English has adopted a pronunciation closer to the spelling.
Similar Words with Different Pronunciations
“Colonel” is not the only word that Brits and Americans pronounce differently. Here are some other examples:
| Word | British Pronunciation | American Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium | Al-you-min-ee-um | Al-loo-min-um |
| Advertisement | Ad-ver-tiss-ment | Ad-ver-tighz-ment |
| Caramel | Car-a-mel | Care-a-mel |
| Niche | Neesh | Nitch |
The differences come from British English retaining French influences while American English pronunciation drifted and became more Anglicized.
Spelling Remains the Same
While pronunciations differ, the British and Americans both spell words the same way. For example, “colonel” is spelled the same in both versions of English.
This means you cannot tell where someone is from based on spelling alone. The pronunciation is what varies between the dialects.
Other Military Rank Pronunciations
Like colonel, other military ranks also have different pronunciations between British and American English:
| Rank | British | American |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant | Lef-ten-ant | Loo-ten-ant |
| Major | May-juh | May-jer |
| Sergeant | Sar-jant | Sar-jent |
Again, the British pronunciations retain more French influence while the American versions have changed over time.
Conclusion
In summary, the British pronunciation of colonel as “kernel” comes from the word’s origins in French and Italian. While American English has Anglicized many pronunciations, British English preserves those original influences. This pattern is seen across many words, especially military ranks like lieutenant and major. So the next time you hear a Brit say “kernel,” know that they are actually staying truer to the word’s historical pronunciation.