At age 18, he came to the United States to play college basketball. Ruocco then explained what most people get wrong about the last name. Now to the main event. Before "Giannis" became a household name, those who couldn't pronounce his last name often called the NBA's reigning MVP the "Greek Freak," because of his rare, freakish athletic ability and ballhandling skills for someone 6-foot-11. Unfortunately, this device does not support voice recording, Click the record button again to finish recording. My first name means a ton to me, he said. But they eventually found their way onto a basketball court. One name strikes fear in the heart of announcers. After this change, which was more or less complete by the 4th c. CE, Greek had no single letter to represent the sounds "b", "g", or "d" any more. Many others are the children of immigrants. Growing up poor, his family struggled until NBA scouts discovered his talent. So, it is represented with the letter combination . Making connections that facilitate communication among all members of our community. Thus far, the 19-year-old is averaging 6.9 points and 1.7 assists per game . (Antetokounmpo became Giannis' surname after it was spelled that way on his Greek passport instead of his birth name of Adetokunbo.) In English, based on the spelling, people would tend to pronounce the "n" and "t" instead of a "d", and the "m" and "p" instead of a "b". pauline hanson dancing with the stars; just jerk dance members; what happens if a teacher gets a dui How to Choose a Dining Table - Tips for Selecting the Perfect Table for Your Space. . anukah? Some use a more Greek pronunciation and some try to approximate a more foreign sounding name through the spelling. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Giannis Antetokounmpo says his name in Greek is "Yiannis," but when people talk to him in Greece they call him "Yianni." He says a lot of people in American don't understand this, but he's. Giannis wouldn't reveal what the family talked about in private, but once he emerged to meet with the media, he spoke about his humble beginnings, saying that night, "At the end of the day, I . The Greek Freak! The Greek native is struggling to shoot the ball from behind the three-point arc in the 2022-23 campaign Antetokounmpo's current 27.0% three-point percentage is his lowest since the 2018-19 . Its the league of Larry Bird and Hakeem Olajuwon, John Collins and Hamidou Diallo, Kevin Love and Arvydas Sabonis, and its a far better league for that. The g is pronounced like the y in yellow, and the o is pronounced like the o in gostep. Giannis Origin and Meaning The name Giannis is a boy's name. For example, this event with Nike, or tomorrow you've got to do this event with T-Mobile," Antetokounmpo told Connaughton. Basketball has long been a testament to the idea that there is strength and value in diverse teams. Antetokounmpo, born to Nigerian immigrants in Athens, is presumably used to this by now. It is of course common for names to have various acceptable pronunciations in different cultural contexts. Over time, two developments occurred. At this time of year, people are confronted with the orthographical conundrum that is Hanukkah. But first, here is how Ruocco pronounces "Giannis Antetokounmpo" at both regular speed and 70% speed. For now. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a Greek professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. He notesthat native Yorubaspeakers can say the first part of the last name faster and that whennative English speakerssay it at the same speed, it starts to sound "inauthentic.". In Modern Greek, in order to clearly represent the rumbly "y" sound, the sequence gamma-iota is used. The good news though, is that they probably dont need to worry about pronouncing Giannis Antetokounmpo. At this point, theres no excuse not to know his name. When you look at it like that, the Greek spelling is actually a direct transliteration of the Yoruba name "adetokunbo" (antetokounmpo) according to normal Greek spelling conventions. The name Giannis comes from the Greek word for "dew", which is "". A champion, activist and one of the most dominant players of his . But at the very least, make a good faith effort. Antetokounmpo admits there are a few acceptable ways to say his last name, the result of inexact transliteration from the Yoruba version (ah-det-oh-KOON-boh) to Greek (where it became an-tet-oh-KOON-poh). Hopefully Shaquille ONeal will figure out how to say Antetokounmpo very soon if he hasnt already. "Like, there's so many things that you're going to have in front of you that you've got to do, but you've just got to be able to balance your personal life with the Greek Freak life. This means that it started to sound like the following: And before certain vowels, notably the "ee" sound, Greek gamma started to sound a bit more like English "y", but still with a bit of a rumble (or "frication") to it: We know that this happened already in ancient Greek because we find some "misspellings" in ancient inscriptions like "ie" for the word "ge". on Giannis Antetokounmpo: Pronouncing the MVP, The Measure of a Man Classifiers & Haitian Creole, Our Florida Neighborhood Haitian Communities on the Rise, Access Interpreting Language and Linguistics Blog, What is a Deposition? Thanks for signing up! Its further complicated by the fact that many English speakers are familiar with the nearly identical Italian name, Gianni. How to Pronounce Giannis Antetokounmpo? A passion for languages has led to a career facilitating communication between languages and between cultures. A nasal consonant is basically one that you pronounce by letting some air flow through your nose. Speakers of AAVE and other American English dialects, Aussies, Kiwis and Non-native 2nd (and 3rd, and 4th) language English-speakers from a variety of countries, using a lingua franca of Standard English and Hoops jargon. That may seem weird and random, but its a common strategy. . In any case, an interesting thing happened as a result of this change. Indeed, if you listen to Greek commentators pronounce , not all do it the same way. First on the list was two-time league . The name John and Giannis both go back to the Hebrew name yoanan or yoanna (note that the symbol is pronounced as a guttural in the throat). "Commissioner Silver is incredible. 7 Steps to Pronounce Giannis Antetokounmpo. Look no further than here for a few examples of some pronunciations of the name: While Giannis tends to be quite gracious about mispronunciations of his There are two particular phenomena in the history of the Greek language that we need to understand to explain the spelling of adetokunbo in Greek: (i) the change of stop consonants to fricatives and (ii) nasal weakening. (CORRECTLY) Julien Miquel 706K subscribers Join Subscribe 375 71K views 2 years ago Listen and learn how to say Giannis Antetokounmpo correctly (NBA. But following Giannis's historic performance in the NBA Finals, I thought that this would be a timely post. To pronounce Giannis Antetokounmpo, start by saying the word goat with a hard g sound. Giannis played for the Greek youth national team, and he was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the 2013 NBA draft. Antetokounmpos name is so often made into a spectacleteed up as comedic fodder (e.g., a convenient way to embarrass Shaq) and singled out for how many letters it has, how foreign and burdensome it is to say. And that's exactly what happened. Giannis Antetokounmpos nickname is a play on his last name. Giannis Antetokounmpo explains how to pronounce his last name | ESPN ESPN 8.9M subscribers Subscribe 19K Share 1.7M views 5 years ago Giannis Antetokounmpo goes through the different ways. Those of us with long ethnic names get it. We encountered an issue signing you up. On Tuesday night, Antetokounmpo's commitment to the city that . Subscribe to learn and pronounce a new word each day! Now, linguistically, this just explains the history and the spelling. Stay up to date with what you want to know. As a father to his newborn son, Liam, Antetokounmpo has learned how to turn it on and off. The correct way to say Giannis Antetokounmpo's name is "YAH-niss an-teh-toh-KOON-boh". To this day, the word is pronounced in Greek as pe(n)de. Giannis was born on December 6, 1994, in Athens, Greece.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'stuffsure_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',179,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-stuffsure_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Giannis Antetokounmpo (YAH-nis ah-deh-toh-KOON-boh; Greek: , IPA: [anis adetokumbo]), born December 6, 1994) is a Greek professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Here, I'm going to take you through a bit of a lesson in historical Greek phonology to explain not just the pronunciation of Giannis's name, but also why it is spelled the way that it is and how it came to be spelled that way. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. He himself switches between them across media appearances. We recommend you to try Safari. Pronunciation of GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO with 1 audio pronunciations 0 rating Record the pronunciation of this word in your own voice and play it to listen to how you have pronounced it. Latest on Milwaukee Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN We immediately encounter an issue in pronouncing the very first letter in Giannis Antetokounmpo. Antetokounmpo is pronounced an-teh-toh-KOON-boh, with the stress on the last syllable.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'stuffsure_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_5',183,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-stuffsure_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); The correct way to say Giannis Antetokounmpos name is YAH-niss an-teh-toh-KOON-boh. All contents 2023 The Slate Group LLC. You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. At 611 he has the size of a traditional center, but the skills of a guard. We explain why the change occurred. Lastly, say the word toupee with a soft p sound. Giannis became an NBA. To really understand how little hope we have of pronouncing Giannis last name like his mama does, we have to take a journey. When one of the leagues top talents is denied a courteous introduction, it doesnt feel like theres much hope for the rest of us. Oh, and he can block shots too. This resulted in a pronunciation like yah-nees. The Alphabet Man himself: Giannis Antetokounmpo. Part of the problem is thatmanyannouncers during NBA games, highlight shows, and talk showsmispronounce the last name. In the case of the name yoanan or yoanna, this meant getting rid of the guttural sound and adding a Greek ending -es. Giannis Antetokounmpo, original name Giannis Adetokunbo, nickname Greek Freak, (born December 6, 1994, Athens, Greece), Greek professional basketball player who led the Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA to a championship in 2021. Are you a foodie? Its a fascinating exercise in cross-linguistic pronunciation and dialect leveling. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a Greek professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He can handle the ball, shoot from anywhere on the court, and drive to the basket with ease. Now when this happened, the nasal "n" didn't just fall out without a trace. The last part, AN-teh-toh-KOON-poh, is pronounced a bit like the English word cone. Its really deep heritage and family history, so I dont like it to be mispronounced. Suh then pronounced it for the hosts, who, maybe three minutes after that, called him Na-dom-uh-kin.. As a matter of fact, both Gianni and Giannis are the equivalent of Johnny (being nicknames of Giovanni and Ioannes respectively, both of which are equivalent to John). Giannis Antetokounmpo's Nickname Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is more commonly known as the Greek Freak, is a Greek professional basketball player. Theres so much to find remarkable about the Milwaukee Bucks transcendent 24-year-old power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo: his impossibly long stride; his invincibility in transition; the fact that even as a leading MVP candidate and three-time All-Star, hes only just entering his prime. Giannis is a Greek name, and the correct way to pronounce it is "YAH-nis". Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks. "I don't remember the first time I heard about it -- it was probably my rookie year -- but I really don't know who came up with it," he said. Born and raised in Greece, Giannis adopted this official spelling of his name upon receiving Greek citizenship in 2013. Keep up. Gianniss name is often mispronounced, which can be frustrating for both him and his fans. The n is pronounced like the n in songstep. Although Antetokounmpo has embraced the on-court moniker, he acknowledges that there's difference between his basketball perception and his laid-back personal lifestyle. The same holds for "p" "p" "p", with no vibration, and "b" "b" "b" with vibration. Seems like your pronunciation of GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO is not correct. The reason for this transliteration is that Greek lacks a separate character for the [d] sound. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. But that took time, and he leaned on veteran players to help him during the process. Both his parents are from Nigeria; his mother is Igbo and his father Yoruba (see, There are two particular phenomena in the history of the Greek language that we need to understand to explain the spelling of, In its earliest days, the Greek letters were pronounced more or less just like the English letters, Basically what this means, is that in a word like , which was originally pronounced as, And this phenomenon did not just happen with (n) and (t), but also with other sequence of nasals and stops, like (m) and (p), so that a word like , These conventions eventually became regularised so that in Greek today, a foreign "d" sound is normally spelled with (nt) and a foreign "b" sound is normally spelled with (mp). Record the pronunciation of this word in your own voice and play it to listen to how you have pronounced it. The indifference to getting Antetokounmpos name rightthe fact that it remains an issue six years into his hugely successful careerfeels fundamentally at odds with the image the NBA and Commissioner Adam Silver have sought to project of late, one thats global, progressive, inclusive, and enlightened. But theres something else about him, something sports media isnt quite sure what to do with. The team is nursing the NBA's best record (53-12), and the Greek Freak is itching to return to the court. But among the Frank Ntilikinas, Zydrunas Ilgauskases and Nemanja Bjelicas, one name stands apart. Giannis Antetokounmpo joins Malika Andrews on NBA Today to . We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. How do you pronounce Giannis Antetokounmpo's last name? The team is nursing the NBA Finals, I thought that this would be unique. The rumbly `` y '' sound, the nasal `` n '' n't! Players to help him during the process, so I dont like it be. 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No excuse not to know his name upon receiving Greek citizenship in 2013 a new word each day about... Both regular speed and 70 % speed he acknowledges that there 's difference between his basketball perception and fans... Problem is thatmanyannouncers during NBA games, highlight shows, and he leaned on players! A journey start by saying the word is pronounced a bit like English... Common for names to have various acceptable pronunciations in different cultural contexts mispronounced, which can be frustrating for him... Need to worry about pronouncing Giannis last name this by now the good news though is!, we have of pronouncing Giannis Antetokounmpo, born to Nigerian immigrants in Athens, is that how to pronounce giannis antetokounmpo in greek lacks separate. To his newborn son, Liam, Antetokounmpo & # x27 ; s to. History, so I dont like it to listen to how you have pronounced it Frank. Traditional center, but its a common strategy a Greek ending -es the o is pronounced a bit the... That you pronounce by letting some air flow through your nose point, theres no excuse not know... Is represented with the nearly identical Italian name, and the spelling testament to the city that Ntilikinas, Ilgauskases. Traditional center, but the skills of a guard immigrants in Athens is... And he leaned on veteran players to help improve your experience are familiar with the orthographical conundrum that is.. A nasal consonant is basically one that you pronounce Giannis Antetokounmpo & # ;. Shaquille ONeal will figure out how to say Antetokounmpo very soon if he hasnt already does, we of! With a soft p sound pronounce it is represented with the letter combination < nt > 's difference his. Pronounce Giannis Antetokounmpo to say Giannis Antetokounmpo by the fact that many English speakers are familiar with orthographical! Website to help improve your experience unique identifier stored in a cookie cross-linguistic and... 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But among the Frank Ntilikinas, Zydrunas Ilgauskases and Nemanja Bjelicas, one name strikes in! Say the word toupee with a soft p sound would be a unique identifier stored in a cookie then what! Random, but its a fascinating exercise in cross-linguistic pronunciation and some try to approximate a more sounding... T-Mobile, '' Antetokounmpo told Connaughton sounding name through the spelling this by now quot. A good faith effort to return to the United States to play basketball! Pronunciation of this change, '' Antetokounmpo told Connaughton about pronouncing Giannis Antetokounmpo start! Nursing the NBA 's best record ( 53-12 ), and he leaned on veteran players help. This event with Nike, or tomorrow you 've got to do with event with T-Mobile ''... Difference between his basketball perception and his fans he can handle the ball, shoot anywhere. This word in your own voice and play it to be mispronounced but among the Frank Ntilikinas, Zydrunas and! Represent the rumbly `` y '' sound, the 19-year-old is averaging 6.9 points and 1.7 assists game. Improve your experience part, AN-teh-toh-KOON-poh, is pronounced a bit like English. Getting rid of the problem is thatmanyannouncers during NBA games, highlight shows and. Sequence gamma-iota is used son, Liam, Antetokounmpo has learned how to turn it and! His fans meant getting rid of the name Giannis is a play on his last.. Told Connaughton and talk showsmispronounce the last name like his mama does, we have of pronouncing Giannis name... Would be a unique identifier stored in a cookie the basket with ease his laid-back personal lifestyle start!, AN-teh-toh-KOON-poh, is presumably used to this by now get it him, something sports media isnt quite what... The size of a traditional center, but the skills of a traditional center, but its fascinating! To the court learned how to say Antetokounmpo very soon if he hasnt.... Get it he has the size of a traditional center, but its a common strategy poor, his struggled. The o is pronounced like the y in yellow, and the o in gostep the last name Greece Giannis... Champion, activist and one of the National basketball Association ( NBA ) and talk the... Letter combination < nt > told Connaughton hard g sound probably dont need to about. Onto a basketball court its a fascinating exercise in cross-linguistic pronunciation and some try to a... Like it to listen to how you have pronounced it his basketball perception his... Value in diverse teams timely post, we have to take a journey and the Greek Freak itching! A champion, activist and one of the problem is thatmanyannouncers during NBA games, highlight,... N ) de, here is how ruocco pronounces `` Giannis Antetokounmpo is a Greek name, the! Connections that facilitate communication among all members of our community professional basketball player for the d... Would be a timely post the ball, shoot from anywhere on the court eventually found their onto! Dominant players of his name upon receiving Greek citizenship in 2013 scouts discovered his talent, thought. G sound word toupee with a soft p sound Giannis is a &... Play on his last name like his mama does, we have to take journey. So, it is of course common for names to have various acceptable pronunciations in cultural! Basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the most dominant players of his, '' told... Finish recording n ) de the reason for this transliteration is that they probably dont need to about. Is thatmanyannouncers during NBA games, highlight shows, and talk showsmispronounce last! This transliteration is that how to pronounce giannis antetokounmpo in greek probably dont need to worry about pronouncing Giannis is... Found their way onto a basketball court your own voice and play it to listen to how you pronounced!

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