Both are acceptable, they are regional variations on pronounciation. Conch seems to be more common, possibly due to its usage in "The Lord of the Flies."
Most islanders I know pronounce with with a hard K, most mainlanders and tourists pronounce it with a soft "ch" sound. Florida keys, the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, all pronounce it with a K sound. But other islands might pronounce it "ch" just none that I'm aware of.
I grew up pronouncing it "conk" and still do, though I've given up on correcting people.
Comments
Both are acceptable, they are regional variations on pronounciation. Conch seems to be more common, possibly due to its usage in "The Lord of the Flies."
Most islanders I know pronounce with with a hard K, most mainlanders and tourists pronounce it with a soft "ch" sound. Florida keys, the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, all pronounce it with a K sound. But other islands might pronounce it "ch" just none that I'm aware of.
I grew up pronouncing it "conk" and still do, though I've given up on correcting people.