Correct pronunciation of bokeh

Phil Schiller introducing bokeh feature.

If you keep up with iPhone news, you might know about the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus’s camera with the new bokeh effect for portraits. After watching video reviews of the iPhone 7/Plus on YouTube, I’ve noticed that many people are pronouncing “bokeh” incorrectly.

It might be because Phil Schiller (senior vice president of worldwide marketing at Apple Inc.) pronounced it wrong when he introduced the feature at the Apple Special Event introducing the new iPhone 7 on Sept. 7, 2017 in San Francisco. (Video link here, fast forward to 71:50.)

I want people to know that “bokeh” should be pronounced “bo-kay” (“kay” rhymes with say, may, day, etc.) not “bo-ka” or “bokah” as Mr. Schiller pronounced it. “Bokeh” comes from the Japanese word “bokeru” which means “blur.” “Bokeru” can also refer to a senile person, meaning that the person is not mentally “sharp.”

And don’t ever pronounced it “bakah” or “baka,” especially when you’re taking someone’s portrait. Because that means “idiot.”

Avatar photo

Philbert Ono

Owner, operator, and Webmaster of PhotoGuide Japan (photojpn.org) and PHOTOGUIDE.JP.

Related Posts

Leave a Reply

© 2024 PhotoGuide Japan Blog - WordPress Theme by WPEnjoy