Xenex pronunciation?

Discussion in 'Trek Literature' started by BruntFCA, Oct 27, 2013.

  1. BruntFCA

    BruntFCA Commander Red Shirt

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    I've just started reading the New Frontier novels and I was wondering how to pronounce Xenex? Thanks.
     
  2. tomswift2002

    tomswift2002 Commodore Commodore

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    I usually pronounce it as "zee-nex", sort of like how you say Xerox when you are talking about the photocopier company.
     
  3. DarKush

    DarKush Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Interesting. I pronounce it Zen-nex.
     
  4. CaffeineAddict

    CaffeineAddict Lieutenant Commander Red Shirt

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    Me too. That's the thing about Peter David, though, he doesn't give you any hints about these things. Like, how do you pronounce Si-Cwan?
     
  5. Mage

    Mage Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    As do I.
     
  6. Allyn Gibson

    Allyn Gibson Vice Admiral Admiral

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    The official pronunciation is Suh Kwan.

    I use See Swan, because I always thought the character was named after Curt Swan, the legendary artist of Silver/Bronze Age Superman and PAD's own Star Trek Annual #2.
     
  7. tomswift2002

    tomswift2002 Commodore Commodore

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    Si Cwan I pronounce as "See-Quan".
     
  8. JD

    JD Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    I've always said then Sigh Cwan (like Khan, but with a w), and zen-nex.
     
  9. CaffeineAddict

    CaffeineAddict Lieutenant Commander Red Shirt

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    That's what I thought too.
     
  10. Christopher

    Christopher Writer Admiral

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    I've always gone with "zen-ecks," rhymes with "Gen X," though "Xenexian" throws me a bit. I suppose it's probably supposed to be "zen-ecks-ee-an," but I can't help thinking it should rhyme with "Venetian."

    I've always tended to interpret "Si Cwan" as "see kwahn" -- naturally, since I took three years of Spanish in high school. Though sometimes I read it more as "sih kwahn," almost like "sick wan" -- which seems pretty close to the "official" pronunciation given above.
     
  11. Mr. Laser Beam

    Mr. Laser Beam Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    'zen-ecks' sounds like a medication.

    "Have you had a problem with oppressive alien overlords? Talk to your doctor about Xenex. Side effects include purple eyes and facial scars..."
     
  12. Christopher

    Christopher Writer Admiral

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    ^There is an anti-anxiety medication whose brand name is Xanax.
     
  13. Mr. Laser Beam

    Mr. Laser Beam Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    ^ I am aware of that, yes.
     
    Last edited: Oct 28, 2013
  14. publiusr

    publiusr Admiral Admiral

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    Zen-shean?

    Try speaking the name of some Lovecraft entities, like Cxaxukluth or Hziulquoigmnzhah
     
  15. JeBuS

    JeBuS Lieutenant Commander Red Shirt

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    Zee-nix
     
  16. iguana_tonante

    iguana_tonante Admiral Admiral

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    My pronunciation is probably off since my first language is Italian, but I just say "KSEH-neks" (emphasis on the first syllable) and "kseh-NEH-ksian" (emphasis on the second): in Italian it's not unusual for derivative words to change the position of accent.

    Also, "sih kwahn".
     
  17. Defcon

    Defcon Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    ^Pretty much the same for me.
     
  18. Mr. Laser Beam

    Mr. Laser Beam Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    I always thought Zenn-nex, and See Kwahn.
     
  19. Christopher

    Christopher Writer Admiral

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    Those are pronounced "Chumley" and "Wooster."
     
  20. Paris

    Paris Commodore Commodore

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    Ditto