How is 'Mobile' PRONOUNCED? (store, bill, automobile)

[GrandviewGloria]

What is the PREFERRED pronunciation of your city's name?

Recently, I've heard newspersons rather emphatically pronounce it as an almost hyphenated "MO-beale". It sounded condescending, to me. And since newspersons are also mispronouncing the President's name as a distinctly hyphenated "Bye-DAN" (and seem to strive to get every vowel sound wrong, no matter what it is they're talking about), I don't set much store by what I hear from newspersons.

I'm sure there's a pretentious way to say it. And there's probably a scummy way to say it. But how do nice, reasonably-educated, Middle Class natives of Mobile say 'Mobile'?

[Surge0001]

We pronounce it like the name Moe, so a little pronounced but not too much. The second half can be pronounced either Beal or Bill, I personally say Bill but I know a ton of others that of course use Beal, so “Moe-Beale” or “Moe-Bill” is acceptable

[elcajones]

Locals, and by that I mean everyone I've encountered from the city or the region have all pronounced it Mo-bill to me so that's how I pronounce it.

[Southern man]

Mo-bill

[EscAlaMike]

Whether one says "bill" or "beale" for the second syllable, the critical thing is that you must place the emphasis on the second syllable.

There is nothing more grating to the ears of a South Alabamian than to hear one place the emphasis on the "Mo".

[hiero2]

I've been out of the region for some time, but my memory tells me that, even if one pronounces it mo-bill, there is an understated Southern long "e" in there. More subvocalized than vocalized. something closer to mo-beale in my mind. However, for those who don't have a Southern accent (much less a southern Alabama accent), mo-bill would be closer to the everyday pronunciation. For an exaggerated effect, one could use mo-BEEL.

[natedoggbry]

I’d say the majority of people I know say “Mo-Beel.” The bigger question should be can we stop pronouncing conti as “con-tie” and Joachim as “Joe-ah-kim.” That’s like pronouncing government street as “go-vern-ment” with the emphasis on go.

[Surge0001]

I think we need to sticky this thread to the top of the forum

[PortCity]

Originally Posted by Surge0001

I think we need to sticky this thread to the top of the forum

Yes ! Lol

Some locals say Mo-bill or Me beal/beel

[eshore78]

automobile without the auto