If you’ve ever come across the title “Cirque du Freak,” you’ve probably wondered how to pronounce it correctly. After all, it’s not exactly a phrase that follows typical English phonetics. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Breaking It Down:
“Cirque du Freak” is the title of a popular book series by Darren Shan, as well as a movie adaptation. The title has French influences, so understanding a little bit about French pronunciation can go a long way.
- Cirque – This word is French, and it’s pronounced more like “seer-k.” The “i” sound in “Cirque” is soft, and the “que” at the end is pronounced like “k,” not “cue.” So it sounds like “seer-k.”
- du – This is a simple French word meaning “of” or “from.” It’s pronounced like “dew” (rhymes with “few”). It’s one syllable, soft and smooth.
- Freak – This word is pronounced just like the common English word “freak,” with the “ee” sounding like in “speak” or “peek.”
Putting It All Together:
When you combine all three parts, the full pronunciation sounds like:
“Seer-k dew Freak”
Not much different from the way you’d say it in English, except for that slight French influence on the “Cirque” part.
Bonus Tip for Movie Fans:
If you’re a fan of the movie adaptation (also titled Cirque du Freak), the characters in the film pronounce it just as we’ve outlined here—“seer-k dew freak”—so you’ll hear it in context as well!
Why the Confusion?
The mix of languages can throw people off. “Cirque” has that distinct French vibe, and while “du” and “freak” are familiar English words, the unfamiliar combination might cause uncertainty for English speakers.
Conclusion:
So, next time you talk about the Cirque du Freak series or movie, just remember:
“Seer-k dew Freak” is the correct way to say it! Happy reading (or watching)!