10 Tech Words – popular IT Terms.  How To Pronounce Correctly In English

Do you pronounce these Ten IT Terms Correctly in English?

Hi, from Speak More Clearly! Many people struggle to pronounce correctly these tech words… Most people will have heard of or used the common IT terms we’ll be looking at in this video, but the question is; have you been pronouncing them clearly when you say them in English?

As we go through, make a tally, and see how you scored. If you feel like it, you can put your score in the comments section below. But we must warn you!, that If you habitually cut the words short, and don’t say the vowel long enough to be clear, you can’t count it!

Correct Pronunciation for 10 tech words in English:

1. IT (Information Technology)

Definition: The use of computers, software, networks, and electronic systems to store, process, transmit, and retrieve information.

Make sure you’re saying both parts of the diphthong ‘ie’ /aɪ/, and making the ‘ee’ /iː/ in /t/ long enough. Check that When you say the following practice sentence, you’re not cutting the ‘ee’ /iː/ short in /t/.

Practice sentence: 

I’m an IT ‘eye tee’ developer.  

I need an IT ‘eye tee’ expert.

Pronounce correctly – Bonus words:

Transmit /tranz’mit/

– the /s/ is saying /z/  

– transmit said ‘Tranzmit’

Say the word with an /s/ first and then how it should be said with a /z/.  Listen to the hiss of the /s/ in the incorrect pronunciation. Listen to the difference.

Retrieve /rɪˈtriːv/

– make sure you say the ‘ie’ as a long ‘ee’ /iː/

2. CPU (Central Processing Unit)

Definition: The “brain” of a computer that carries out instructions and performs calculations and data processing.

CPU – said ‘see pee you’

Make your ‘ee’ vowel is long enough for /c/ and /p/ and your ‘oo’ is long enough for ‘u’.

Practice sentence: The CPU isn’t performing as it should.

3. RAM (Random Access Memory)

Definition: The temporary storage space used by a computer to store data that is actively being accessed or processed.

It’s said as it looks ram /ræm/. The same word we use for a male sheep. Note the ‘a’ says ‘a’ /ae/ as in cat.

Practice Sentence: I need more RAM to be able to finish this project.

Bonus word:

Storage

It’s not ‘stor Age’, but storage  /ˈstɔː.rɪdʒ/. The ‘a’ is saying a short ‘i’ and the /g/ is saying ‘j’ as in ‘jump’.

4. Hard Drive

Definition: The primary storage device in a computer that stores digital information, including the operating system, software, and user files.

The ‘ar’ in hard /hɑːrd/ is the same as the ‘ah’ as in father /ˈfɑːðər/. 

For British and Australian pronunciation, we don’t say the /r/ sound.   

hard  /hɑːd/      

For American pronunciation, include the /r/.

hard  /hɑːrd/

Don’t forget to make the /v/ at the end of drive properly. You have to make sure you put your top teeth on your bottom lip properly for /v/, not just half make it.

Practice Sentence: I found your external hard drive under the table.

We have detailed audio and video explanations of how to make, and say all the vowels and consonants such as ‘ar’ and ‘v’, in our American, Australian, and British accent reduction courses, and plenty of practice material as well.

5. Firewall

Definition: A network security device or software that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic, acting as a barrier to unauthorized access.

For an American accent include the /r/

firewall  /ˈfī(ə)rˌwôl/

For Australian and British pronunciation don’t include the /r/. 

The ‘ire’ in fire is said ‘ie uh’  /faɪər/  fire

firewall  /ˈfaɪə.wɔːl/

Practice Sentence: What firewall are you using?

6. VPN (Virtual Private Network)

Definition: A secure and private connection between two or more networks over the internet, often used to protect data and ensure privacy.

It’s said ‘vee pee en’

Make your ‘ee’ /iː/ and /v/ clearly.  Not ‘wee pee en’, but ‘vee pee en’.

Practice Sentence: I had to use a VPN to access that particular video.

Bonus word:

Connection /kəˈnek.ʃən/

Notice that the ‘o’ is a de-stressed weak schwa vowel /ə/. It’s not co, but cə (kə).

connection /kəˈnek.ʃən/

7. DNS (Domain Name System)

Definition: The system that translates domain names (e.g., www.example.com) into IP addresses to locate and access websites or resources on the internet.

We’re using the letter names for the words, the acronym. It’s said ‘dee en es’.

Practice Sentence: The DNS name contains an invalid character.

8. LAN (Local Area Network)

Definition: A network that connects computers and devices within a limited geographical area, such as a home, office, or campus.

This term is pronounced as it looks. Make sure the ‘a’ is said ‘a’ /ae/ as in cat.

Practice Sentence: Our LAN has the capacity to take up to 10 gamers at once.

Bonus word:

geographical /dʒi.əˈɡræf.ɪ.kəl/

It’s said: ‘geeoe grafikuhl’. Make sure you say both vowels in the first 2 syllables. 

9. WAN (Wide Area Network)

Definition: A network that spans a larger geographical area, connecting multiple LANs or remote locations, often using public infrastructure or leased lines.

It’s said as it looks with an ‘a’ /ae/as in cat. Not to be confused with ‘wan’ – said  ‘won’ – If someone looks ‘wan’ they look pale.

Practice Sentence: A collection of LANs equals a WAN.

10. Router

Our last term has some controversy attached to it.

In American English, it’s pronounced ‘router’ with the ‘ou’ /aʊ/ saying ‘ou’ as in shout.  

router /ˈraʊtər/

In British and Australian English, the ‘ou’ isn’t saying ‘ou’, it’s saying ‘oo’ as ‘shoot’. It becomes ‘rooter’.  The final /r/ is silent as well.

In Australia and Britain, most people use ‘root’ for ‘route, but because of the American influence, some people also say ‘route’ to rhyme with shout.

Practice Sentence: My router works inconsistently. I think I need a new one.

Whichever of these IT terms you’re using, Make sure you slow down and say them clearly because they aren’t common everyday objects or everyday words. This is especially so when explaining things to non-tech people like me for instance. 

If you found this article helpful, please share this to your families, friends, and colleagues 🙂

For more practice materials, check out this article on how to pronounce 15 top tech companies’ names.