How do you pronounce CELTIC?

Do you pronounce it with a K or an S sound?

A while ago I found myself saying it with a K and then somehow I interjected it with a soft C. Now I end up pausing every time I say the word!

"Um, "K"eltic, or "S"eltic, however you say it.." I really don't feel like stating the name of the Celtic Cross spread. Somehow I get around talking about what spread I will do.

What's common for you and peeps around you?

Keltic. I am assured by SO, of Irish descent, that that is the correct way.

And I NEVER heard of Seltic Twilight.....

Yep, what she said. Keltic is the correct pronunciation

when I saw this thread, I had to respond. Esp. because of my 'name' here, I also fought with this. When I first decided upon my name, I was pronouncing it with like a "K". I had told this to a few family and friends, and they told me I was pronouncing it wrong, that it was a soft "C" sound like an "S".

well! not wanting to appear ignorant, I began to pronounce it with the "S" sound, and then later someone else told me that iether way is correct!

so, since it doesn't really matter how it is pronounced, I've gone back to the hard "C" sound, like a "K". I think it sounds better with the hard "C" sound. so, now, my name here is pronounced "KELTIK - NOODLE" and not "seltik-noodle". The hard "C" sound has a very strong sound to it! I like it!



celticnoodle

Wow - I never saw anywhere "official" that said the S sound was OK. Just looked in all my dictionaries and all agree with the K as the only.... and say it can also but rarely be SPELT with a K - which knocks the S off a bit - you can't pronounce a K S can you - if you see what I mean ?

ETA web research tells me that in IRISH Gaelic, C is always pronounced K - and that this is good, as it distinguishes the word Celtic from "the name of certain football teams" !!!!! Love it !

I've always pronounced it with an S sound, but after hearing of this way, with the backround, it makes alot of sense.

Our Boston (Massachusetts) basketball team is Celtics with the S sound. That's the only place I use the soft C. Otherwise, always the hard C (K) sound. In my opinion.

Hm. I always sad "S"eltic, good to know that it's wrong.
So from now on I will say "K"eltic and will tell everyone who pronounces it the false way.

When I was in Dublin, I heard the word pronounced with the "k" sound. I think unless it's otherwise stated (like starrystarrynight's Boston Celtics example), it should probably be pronounced with the "k" sound.

As far as I am aware yes always with a K sound unless......you are talking about the Football Club in Scotland then it's a "S" sound