Magdolyn has it best with Shi-CAH-go because this also tells you which syllable on which to put the emphasis. Most say the CAH like the A in author though some with the stronger eastern European accents sway toward a short A as in bath...shi-CAAH-go.
My mother's mom died and she went to high school in Ireland in the 50's. A nun teaching her social studies class said it was pronounced shi-KAY-go and my mom argued that is not correct. Of course being a stubborn old nun she couldn't admit she was wrong so my mom told her friends after class that if you say shi-KAY-go to an American they'll look at you like you're nuts.
And anyone that says Chitown that is also with the SH sound, pronounced SHY-town.
Comments
Sha-Cah-Go
I'm from Chicago, and that is how everyone here says it.
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Magdolyn has it best with Shi-CAH-go because this also tells you which syllable on which to put the emphasis. Most say the CAH like the A in author though some with the stronger eastern European accents sway toward a short A as in bath...shi-CAAH-go.
My mother's mom died and she went to high school in Ireland in the 50's. A nun teaching her social studies class said it was pronounced shi-KAY-go and my mom argued that is not correct. Of course being a stubborn old nun she couldn't admit she was wrong so my mom told her friends after class that if you say shi-KAY-go to an American they'll look at you like you're nuts.
And anyone that says Chitown that is also with the SH sound, pronounced SHY-town.
Why is chi pronounced shi?
The word is Chi-cah-go
Though you do want to soften the CH sound, but not all the way th sh
ShitKaGooo
shih-ca-go
Shih-caw-goh
I differ from other answerers. I say Shih-caw-go. I have never, ever heard a person born locally say Chi-town.
Shi-caaah-go. I'm from Chicagoland and that's the correct pronunciation of the word. I've also heard some people saying She-caaah-go and Shi-caaah-go.
Shih caaaaah go
It's flat as a pancake in the middle.