In England, the word "desist" is commonly pronounced in two main ways, both widely accepted: Dee-ZIST or Dee-SIST.
Understanding the Pronunciation of 'Desist'
The pronunciation of 'desist' in British English often features a variation in the sound of the 's'. You will typically hear it pronounced with either a 'z' sound (as in 'zoo') or an 's' sound (as in 'sit'). Both forms are standard and frequently used.
Here's a breakdown using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA):
| Common Pronunciation | IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Dee-ZIST | /dɪˈzɪst/ |
The first syllable sounds like 'di' (as in 'did'), and the second, stressed syllable sounds like 'zist' (like 'zoo' + 'ist' from 'list'). |
| Dee-SIST | /dɪˈsɪst/ |
The first syllable sounds like 'di', and the second, stressed syllable sounds like 'sist' (like 'sit' + 'ist' from 'list'). |
The choice between the /z/ sound and the /s/ sound largely depends on individual speaker preference and regional slight variations, but neither is considered incorrect within standard British English.
Common Forms and Their Pronunciations
This dual pronunciation pattern extends consistently to the inflected forms of the verb:
- Desists: Pronounced as /dɪˈzɪsts/ (Dee-ZISTS) or /dɪˈsɪsts/ (Dee-SISTS).
- Desisted: Pronounced as /dɪˈzɪstɪd/ (Dee-ZIS-tid) or /dɪˈsɪstɪd/ (Dee-SIS-tid).
In all cases, the primary variation remains in the 's' sound in the second syllable, either as a soft 's' or a voiced 'z'.
In Summary
When pronouncing 'desist' in England, both 'Dee-ZIST' and 'Dee-SIST' are correct and widely understood. The context will almost always make the meaning clear, regardless of which of these two common pronunciations is used.
