Ladies and gentlemen, as a linguistic expert with a passion for the subtleties of language, I'm delighted to delve into the pronunciation of the word "Likert." Pronunciation can be a tricky subject, as it often involves regional dialects, historical shifts, and personal preferences. However, when it comes to proper names, especially of scales or methods named after individuals, the most authentic pronunciation is typically that of the person after whom the scale is named.

The Likert scale, a widely used method in social science research for measuring attitudes, is named after its creator, Rensis Likert. He was an American psychologist who developed this scale in the 1930s. The scale is often used to gather data on the attitudes, opinions, or behaviors of a group of people.

Now, let's address the pronunciation. There is a common misconception about how to pronounce "Likert." Many people might be saying it incorrectly without realizing it. According to the information you provided, and the fact that a professor who knew Rensis Likert personally confirmed the pronunciation, it is properly pronounced as "Lick urt," rather than "Lie kurt." This is an important distinction, as it reflects the way the name was intended to be pronounced by the individual himself.

It's not uncommon for the pronunciation of names to evolve over time or to be influenced by the way they are spelled. However, when we have the opportunity to learn the correct pronunciation from a reliable source, it's a good practice to adopt it. This not only shows respect for the individual but also helps in maintaining the accuracy of language.

In conclusion, the correct pronunciation of "Likert" is a valuable piece of linguistic knowledge, especially for those in the field of social psychology or anyone using the Likert scale. It's always beneficial to strive for accuracy in our communication, and getting the pronunciation right is a part of that.

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There is a good chance that you have been misprouncing "Likert" for many years. It is properly pronounced "Lick urt," not "Lie kurt." I know this because my professor in graduate social psychology knew the man at U. Michigan and pronounced his name as he did himself.May 29, 2015read more >>