How do you pronounce technology words?

Question

I was wondering about technology words in Spanish that use the English word like "robot," "router," "CPU," and "módem." Are they pronounced like they are in English or do general Spanish pronunciation rules apply? Is it [roh'-bot] [rroh'-bot] or [rroh-bot']? Is it [seh-peh-ooh'] or [see-pee-yoo']? etc.

Good question! - Nicole-B, SEP 28, 2009

Answer 1

It probably depends to a large degree on the speaker. A Spanish speaker with a reasonable knowledge of English (assuming that the "computer" terms are taken largely from English) may tend to use "Anglicized" pronunciation (especially it the English involves sounds (sound combinations that are unusual in Spanish). A speaker with very limited knowledge of English will be more likely to use the "Spanish" pronunciation (attempt to pronounce the word based on its spelling as thought it were a Spanish word).

Answer 2

I do know that the example of CPU that you gave or for anything similar, the Spanish alphabet is used. For instance MP3 is "eme, pey, tres" (Forgive me because I don't know the exact phonetic spellings!!!)

Answer 3

I would say at least 80% spanish pronunciation rules apply, including the ones you mentioned.