Month: November 2015

French Forte v. Italian Forte

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A job interview:Leyna Nguyen

“Tell me what your forte [pronounced for-tay] is.”

“You mean my forte [pronounced fort]?”

“No, this is not cowboys and Indians. I need to know your forte [fortay] for this position.”

Interview over, applicant walks out disgusted at the misuse of forte.

I confess, I have to thank TV newscaster Leyna Nguyen (pronounced “win,” as she explained during the same telecast) for the distinction between the French forte, meaning “strength,” and the Italian forte, for “loud” in musical rendition.

One’s strength is pronounced fort, and the musical emphasis is pronounced fortay.

But don’t tell your boss that if he or she asks you for your forte (fortay).

Just break out your violin, and play it loudly.

Categories: Grammar Notes