how do you pronounce these:

ferdinand de Saussure???

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_de_Saussure

Notice the pronunciation symbols in brackets in the first sentence. It looks as if it should be pronounced this way:

[fɛʁdinã də soˈsyːʁ]

And here's a chart (scroll down) for the different sound symbols:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA

=)

From Wikipedia:

<<Ferdinand de Saussure (pronounced [fɛʁdinɑ̃ də soˈsyːʁ]) (November 26, 1857 – February 22, 1913) was a Geneva-born Swiss linguist whose ideas laid the foundation for many of the significant developments in linguistics in the 20th century. He is widely considered the 'father' of 20th-century linguistics.>>

See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA
for a pronuciation notation guide

If the above is too complicated, here is something I dislike doing = using English words to try to pronounce another language.

Fair-dee-nahn Sow-shure

(more or less!)

Mme

To find out how to properly pronounce "Ferdinand de Saussure," you can follow these steps:

1. Look for audio recordings: Search online for recorded interviews, lectures, or audio files featuring discussions about Ferdinand de Saussure. This can provide you with an accurate pronunciation as you hear it from native speakers.

2. Utilize pronunciation dictionaries: Online dictionaries such as Forvo, PronounceNames, or HowToPronounce can help you find the correct pronunciation of specific names and words. Simply type in "Ferdinand de Saussure" and listen to the audio provided.

3. Explore academic resources: Academic websites, institutions, or databases related to linguistic studies, semiotics, or structuralism can provide accurate pronunciations of Ferdinand de Saussure's name. Consider checking university websites or scholarly articles that may include audio recordings or pronunciation guides.

Remember, in general, "Ferdinand" is typically pronounced as fur-DI-nand, "de" as duh, and "Saussure" as so-SYUR. However, it's always best to listen to native speakers or consult reliable sources to ensure the most accurate pronunciation.