Word pronounciation!

[Nighthawk]

The word: targe. How is it actually pronounced? I used to pronounce it like "tarj." I was corrected by a friend who is a historian of Scots martial culture for whom I have a world of respect. He told me it's pronounced "tarGEE." But yesterday, I saw a show called Deadliest Warrior that featured a Scot (a Highlander with a rather thick brogue) who pronounced it the way I used to! So how is it actually pronounced- "tarj" or "tarGEE?" Or are they both correct?!?!

[azwildcat96]

Not sure about pronounciation, but that Deadliest Warrior show was one of my favorites when it was on.

[Nighthawk]

Not sure about pronounciation, but that Deadliest Warrior show was one of my favorites when it was on.

Aside from the completely rediculous Scots costuming, which being an historical reenactor, I had a hard time getting past. And I thought the costuming in Braveheart was bad! Sheesh!!

[CameronCat]

I'm certainly not an expert, but in my experience, (in both US and Scotland) your word is pronounced either as you have it: "tarj" or alternatively with a hard "g" = "targ" (like "burg"). I've also heard a variant of the latter where the "r" is burred or rolled in the best Scots style, with just a bit at the the end: "tarrrrrg-h". The last bit isn't a fully voiced syllable but just the ghost of one.

I think your historian may be imparting a pseudo-French pronunciation where none is intended. Perhaps Ancienne Alliance can shed light on derivations if any exist.

[figheadair]

Targe as in barge.

[gary meakin]

Targe as in barge.

Is that barj or barjay?

[Tony]

m-w

targe noun \ˈtärj\
Definition of TARGE
: a light shield used especially by the Scots
Origin of TARGE
Middle English, from Anglo-French
First Known Use: 14th century
Rhymes with TARGE
barge, charge, large, marge, parge, sarge, sparge

[ThistleDown]

Is that barj or barjay?

As in large

[Donnachaidh]

As a Scot I've only ever heard it pronounced as tarj...like sarj..

[starbkjrus]

Dictionary.com says tahrj.