Hello, I'm an expert in linguistics and etymology with a focus on the English language. I'm here to provide you with a detailed explanation on the pronunciation of the word "Colonel," which is a rank in the military and also a title used in some countries for certain officials or as a form of address.
The pronunciation of "Colonel" has been a subject of debate and confusion for many years. The reason for this lies in the word's etymology and the way it has evolved over time in different languages and dialects.

Step 1: English Pronunciation

The word "Colonel" is derived from the Italian word "colonnello," which in turn comes from the Italian "colonna" meaning "column." The Italian word was adopted into Middle French as "coronel" and later into English. The written style of the word in English has continued to reflect the older form, which is why you see the 'r' at the end of the word. However, the spoken form has evolved differently.

In British English, the word is typically pronounced as /ˈkɜːr.nəl/ or "kernel." This pronunciation is believed to have originated from the Middle French "coronel," where the 'r' at the end was not pronounced, and the 'o' was pronounced like the 'u' in "burn."

In American English, there are two common pronunciations. One is similar to the British pronunciation, /ˈkɝː.nəl/ or "kernel." The other, which is more traditional and often used in military contexts, is /ˈkɔːr.nəl/ or "kernel with a hard 'r'." This pronunciation is influenced by the Middle French "coronel," where the 'r' sound is more pronounced.

The variation in pronunciation is also influenced by regional accents and personal preference. Some Americans pronounce it to sound like "kernul" or "kernel," which is closer to the original Middle French pronunciation.

Step 2:

read more >>

The written style continued to reflect the older form, while the spoken form, competing against it, as it were, reflected the other--coronel--which was often pronounced to sound like "kernul" or "kernel." Given the Middle French form, the r sound in the pronunciation of some Americans is not strange.read more >>