Pronouncing Gala

Hello, you have A Way with Words.

Hi, this is Barry Samsula from Plano, Texas.

I have a question for you.

I work at a radio station in Dallas.

It’s a classical radio station.

And I keep hearing the word gala quite frequently.

And it kind of bothers me a little bit because I think it should be pronounced gala.

And I was wondering if you could clarify it for me.

You mean like a festive occasion?

Yes, yes. I hear gala, I hear gala, I hear gala, and I’m just not sure which one is correct and would like to know for sure before I stick my foot in my mouth.

So you’re inclined to call it gala?

I grew up in Nebraska, and as far as I know, that’s the only pronunciation I’ve ever heard up there.

But now that I’ve moved down to Texas, I hear gala quite frequently.

Well, you know what?

This is one of those frustrating words because there are so many different ways that you can pronounce it correctly.

You’ll find most dictionaries will report that there are two different pronunciations, and you’ve said both of them, gala and gala.

I think you’re safe with gala.

I think that’s probably the one that’s slightly more common as well, and certainly the one that comes with no stigma attached.

Well, I have to admit, I went online to the Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary, and they actually listed all three pronunciations, but the first listing was gala.

Yeah, it’s interesting that you mention that because you’ll find gala as the first pronunciation listed in most of the major North American dictionaries.

But you know what?

I think a lot of people don’t realize that just because it’s the first pronunciation listed, it doesn’t mean that that’s the most common.

Really?

No, it doesn’t.

As long as a pronunciation is given in a dictionary, it means that it’s okay to use it.

So any of them will serve you.

I think gala is just fine.

And I think gala is fine, but I think gala actually is going to be just a little more traditional.

Well, I really appreciate that.

Thank you very much.

Sure.

All right, Barry, thanks for calling.

Thanks for calling, Barry.

Good luck.

All right, take care.

Bye-bye.

Thank you.

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