Do you pronounce “lawyer” as “loy-er” or “law-yer”? And when it comes to “voir dire,” is it “vorr dyer,” “vwar deer,” or something else entirely? It turns out, how you pronounce these legal terms might reveal more about where you’re from than you think.
The way we say “lawyer” is highlighted in a fascinating study of regional pronunciation differences. According to research visualized in maps by Joshua Katz, a PhD student at North Carolina State University, most of the US pronounces “lawyer” as “loy-er.” These intriguing maps, featured in publications like the New York Daily News, Business Insider, MSN Now, and Above the Law, illustrate the diverse linguistic landscape of America.
Interestingly, the map reveals a distinct pronunciation of “lawyer” in the South. Here, “lawyer” tends to be pronounced as “law-yer,” emphasizing both syllables more distinctly. This regional variation highlights how deeply ingrained our pronunciation habits are and how they can differ even within the same language.
While the “lawyer” pronunciation map is based on broader linguistic data, the term “voir dire” offers a more anecdotal, yet equally compelling, look at pronunciation variations within the legal community itself. Lawyer Lyn Robbins conducted a survey among 114 attorney friends across 29 states to explore how they pronounce “voir dire.” His findings, reported by Texas Lawyer’s Tex Parte Blog, are quite revealing and often humorous.
The survey responses broke down the pronunciation of “voir dire” into several categories, each with its own subtle nuances and regional connotations:
- “Vorr Dyer”: This pronunciation was the most common with 46 respondents, although many admitted it might be considered “wrong” or even “redneck,” showing a self-aware humor about regional dialects.
- “Vwuah Deer”: Close behind with 43 votes, this pronunciation often came with a sense of pride, hinting at a more “sophisticated” or French-influenced understanding of the term’s origins.
- “Vwar Deer”: Nine attorneys opted for this version, a slight variation on “Vwuah Deer.”
- “Vorr Deer”: Seven respondents used this similar-sounding variant.
- “Voy Dire”: Five preferred this simpler, perhaps more Anglicized pronunciation.
- “Jury Selection”: Three jokingly bypassed the French term altogether, opting for the plain English equivalent.
- “Vwor Dire”: One respondent described this as rhyming with “tire,” showcasing the creative adaptations of pronunciation.
- “Vwor Dar”: Despite zero official votes, Robbins humorously claimed to have heard this pronunciation, suggesting that real-world usage can be even more diverse than survey results indicate.
Robbins, a senior general attorney for BNSF Railway Co., undertook this informal poll in preparation for a speech to fellow industry attorneys, adding a lighthearted touch to a potentially dry topic. These pronunciation variations, whether for “lawyer” or “voir dire,” highlight the fascinating regional and even professional linguistic diversity within the English-speaking legal world. It seems that when it comes to legal jargon, there’s often more than one “right” way to say it, and your choice might just reveal a bit about your background.
