A question concerning pronunciation. Is it FAL or F-A-L?

[ol' scratch]

I have always pronounced FN FAL as follows, F-N-F-A-L because it is an acronym for Fabrique National Fusil Automatique Léger. I have heard people call the rifle F-N FAL. I would think the same rules would apply that govern the pronunciation of CEO. We don't pronounce it CEE-OH for CEO. Which is the correct pronunciation?

 

[MErl]

I say it as one word, FAL

don't know if that's correct though.

 

[BigG]

One word. FAL.

 

[mberoose]

Say Eff-Enn-Eff-Ay-Ell 3 times fast.

I've always said "phal"

 

[fordm48]

As far as I know, there isn't any official English translation for the French "Le Fabrique Nationale Fusil Automatique Léger," or for the associated acronym, so really you can call it whatever you like and no one will really be able to correct you. I've heard F-N-F-A-L, fal, "fin-fawl," "fin-fal," "fun-fal..."

 

[I6turbo]

Ultimately, I think it would be correctly determined by how the company treats it. My guess is that "phal" is not used by the company (kind of like IBM isn't called "ibbum" except by people who don't know better), and F-A-L is correct.

 

[GBExpat]

FAL or F-A-L

Both pronunciations are correct.

 

[animator]

I say F-A-L, because it is an acronym and not a word.


Same way you call an AR-15 as an A-R 15, and not an Arrrghh 15, or an AK-47 as an ack-47.

 

[Skribs]

I actually would call it an "ack" when playing FPS video games. One less syllable (several less because I exclude "forty seven"). I say FAL because it's simpler.

I don't say AR-15, but that's probably because otherwise it sounds like R-15. Although the way you typed it out, I think we have a new joke. What is a pirate's favorite weapon? The arrrghh-15!

 

[vaupet]

I never heardd anyone say F - A - L.
Everbody in Belgium, including te military says "phal",
just like they say Jee-Pee to the BHP.

On my original Belgian Airforce 270 page instruction manual, there are no points between lettres

 

[fordm48]

Thank you, Vaupet! What a pleasant surprise to get a response from an actual Belgian with FAL experience.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

It's "Fusil Automatique Léger", You heathens.

 

[GBExpat]

FAL or F-A-L

Both pronunciations are correct.

Just like the pronunciation of carbine; carBEAN or carBYNE

Both are correct.

 

[Cosmoline]

"Fal" in English can sound too much like "fall", which already has multiple meanings. So I prefer "F.A.L."

 

[DeMilled]

I use F-A-L, or boom stick.

Right Arm of the Free World also tickles my fancy.

 

[MCMXI]

The British Military always called it the SLR ... I use F-A-L.

 

[dcarch]

I have always said F-A-L, myself.

 

[navajo]

pronounce

In the 60s my crowd called them FNs. Most folks knew what was meant by that.

 

[rugerdude]

F.A.L. because I feel it's better to be consistent. Acronyms are pronounced as such for all kinds of guns like the SVD, PKM, RPD, RPG, KPV, UMP, AUG etc.

However, some acronyms lend themselves to being pronounced as words very well, such as: Mag-58, M249-SAW, CAR-15... so I will pronounce them as words. For others you really don't have much of a choice; CETME ("set-me") and DShk ("Dishka")

I facepalm every time I hear "Og" "Uhmp" or "fin-fal"

 

[josiewales]

I facepalm every time I hear "Og" "Uhmp" or "fin-fal"

Me too.

 

[TexAg]

How about MASH? Does anyone actually say M, A, S, H?

 

[TCBPATRIOT]

I prefer F A L. On the converse side of things I call the M249 a SAW or to confuse people the MINIMI

 

[WardenWolf]

I prefer "Fal", as in "Falcon". Also, see the second line in my sig.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I figure it's just like owning my Moto Guzzis...

I bought 'em, I paid for 'em, I'll call 'em what I like. If I think it's a Goozie and not a Gootzie - that's up to me.

For me, in training with them in the Army, training others overseas and my private ownership now:

5 letters - F-N-F-A-L

3 letters - FAL

Problematic rifle effinFAL

One is none of the above, it's a FA(Y)LO

Or, when I've got lots of time and energy: "The greatest full bore battle rifle ever designed and issued!"

 

[Jenrick]

Trained with a gentleman from South Africa, he used both terms rather interchangeably. Sort of like calling the M1918 either the "Bar" or the "B-A-R", either was pretty danged common.

-Jenrick