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Word for the Wise August 22, 2006 Broadcast Topic: Malafide and bona fide

A listener took it on faith we could answer this question: why is it we say \mal-uh-FYE-dee\ but \boh-nuh-FYDE\? Well, for starters, some people say \mal-uh-FYE-dee\, some say \mal-uh-FYE-duh\, and when we get to \BOH-nuh-fyde\ the options expand. \BOH-nuh-fyde\, \BAH-nuh-fyde\, \bah-nuh-FYE-dee\, and \bah-nuh-FYE-duh\ are all heard. So what is the one genuine, sincere, way to pronounce bona fide and its companion borrowing from Latin, malafide? (来源:专业英语学习网站 http://www.EnglishCN.com)

There isn't just one. \BOH-\ and \BAH-nuh-fyde\ are the two most common English pronunciations for the term that translates from Latin as "in good faith" and that in English means "made in good faith without fraud or deceit; sincere; genuine." \Fy-dee\, however, is not unheard of in American English, and it is common in British English. We can explain the variety of acceptable options by pointing out Latin has enjoyed a number of pronunciations over the centuries.

The good news continues with \mal-uh-FYE-dee\ or \mal-uh-FYE-duh\. Both pronunciations—meaning "in or with bad faith"—are considered standard, so go ahead and say what you will.

The only caveat we offer today is that a person talking about his or her bona fides—evidence of his or her good faith, genuineness, qualifications, or achievements—would be advised to stick with \FYE-deez\, and avoid \FYDEZ\.

 
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