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How should the last name of set theorist Ken Kunen be pronounced? I have heard both koo-nen and kyoo-nen from other people. Probably the best answer would be to say how he himself pronounces it, but a conditional answer (e.g. however the speaker says "Tuesday") might also be acceptable.

I am teaching from his book so I want to say his name correctly.

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    $\begingroup$ I asked Ken a couple of times, and he wouldn’t choose one; he answers to either. I generally say kyoo-nen, though I suspect that the original pronunciation is closer to koo-nen. (That was back in the 70s, so it’s conceivable that he later developed a preference.) $\endgroup$
    – Brian M. Scott
    Jan 7, 2013 at 19:48
  • $\begingroup$ @Brian The first sentence sounds authoritative, so perhaps you should make it an answer. $\endgroup$
    – Trevor Wilson
    Jan 7, 2013 at 19:50
  • $\begingroup$ Done! $\qquad\;$ $\endgroup$
    – Brian M. Scott
    Jan 7, 2013 at 19:52

1 Answer 1

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I asked Ken a couple of times, and he wouldn’t choose one; he answers to either. I generally say kyoo-nen nowadays, though I suspect that the original pronunciation is closer to koo-nen. (That was back in the $70$s, so it’s conceivable that he later developed a preference.)

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