Caribbean Culture - Etymology and Pronunciation

Etymology and Pronunciation

The region takes its name from that of the Carib, an ethnic group present in the Lesser Antilles and parts of adjacent South America at the time of European contact.

The two most prevalent pronunciations of "Caribbean" are KAIR-ə-BEE-ən, with the primary accent on the third syllable, and kə-RIB-ee-ən, with the accent on the second. Most authorities favor placing the stress on the third syllable. This is the older of the two pronunciations, although the stressed-second-syllable variant has been established for over seventy-five years. It has been suggested that speakers of British English prefer KAIR-ə-BEE-ən while North American speakers more typically use kə-RIB-ee-ən, although not all sources agree. Usage is split within Caribbean English itself.