Its not what you think, I swear! I'm not going to start another should it or shouldn't it thread.

I'm just wondering what the correct pronunciation is. Is it (ex-a-cute-er) as in a Headsman or Executioner or is (ex-eck-you-tor) as in the Protoss Advisor from Starcraft.

If my phonetics were unclear, crude as they are, this is an example of the two.

http://static.sfdict.com/staticrep/dictaudio/E03/E0389000.mp3

Personally I always thought it to be the latter. Then looking into it a bit more the former would make sense in the Empire's style, but at that rate why not call it the Executioner?

Has this been clarified before? If so where? What does the internets think?

The modern, English pronunciation of the word is ex-eck-you-tor, as in the executor of a will. However, ex-eh-cute-or, as in an executioner, is a legitimate archaic pronunciation, and makes a lot more sense. Not that any of that is really relevant for a fictional space ship that only exists in a fictional universe that has no relationship whatsoever to earth, modern or archaic.

As for why whoever invented the name didn't use executioner, probably just to make it sound different.

The correct pronunciation for the generic English word is the first example in the audio file. (or at least, it's the more common and generally agreed upon one).

That being said, it being the pronoun for a ship, they can pronounce it any way they (the empire) wants.

That being said, I think the first pronunciation is the one people are likely to use and recognize the most.

I have always called it the latter (ex-eck-you-tor)

I've always called it the one that sounds like a guy who kills someone. My four year old boy calls it the same. Personally I like the other version better... Sounds more capital-shippy.

Just depends on which syl-LA-ble you put the em-PHA-sis.

Both ways are technically correct, and mean similar things, the difference being that an executor is one who carries out ANY duty, not just actually being an executioner.

Every executioner is an executor, but every executor is not an executioner.

I agree that the first version sounds "normal" for English, but how is the last syllable pronounced? In the audio it's a very open "o", while I pronounce it like in thorus (not a native speaker).

Mon Mothma actually pronouced it "Ex-eck-you-tor" (as in executor of a will) in the Behind the Magic computer... game... behind the scenes thingy... all those years ago. Was the first time I realized that "someone who performs executions" is actually executioner (barring archaic pronunciations, mentioned above).

Is Executioner a real word to start with? Or just one made up for gamers?

Is Executioner a real word to start with? Or just one made up for gamers?

Executioner is a real word and has been used for hundreds of years, if not more.

It's been called the Ex-eck-you-tor in X-Wing Alliance, Empire at War and a few Star Wars soundbooks. Ex-eck-you-tor is also the corrected Latin pronunciation to go with Imperator, Secutor, Venator, Mandator, Bellator, Assertor, Procursator and all the other Star Destroyer designations.

but every executor is not an executioner.

[Kip]C'mon Napoleon, like anyone could even know that.[/Kip]

#outdatedObscureReference

#hashtagsDon'tWorkOnForums

Is Executioner a real word to start with? Or just one made up for gamers?

Executioner is a real word and has been used for hundreds of years, if not more.

It may have been used a long time ago, but clearly not in a galaxy far, far away

*feeling the love*

The modern, English pronunciation of the word is ex-eck-you-tor, as in the executor of a will. However, ex-eh-cute-or, as in an executioner, is a legitimate archaic pronunciation, and makes a lot more sense.

I always saw it as the first version, and as in "Executor of the Emperor's will".

OK, so the Empire are known for their heavy-handed approach to law enforcement; that doesn't mean their naming conventions need to be similarly heavy-handed!