Correct pronunciation of the rank 'Lieutenant' in the British Army?

[The_Screenwriter]

Evening all,

I'm hoping somebody can help me with this. My query isn't related to insignia, rather the correct pronunciation of the rank 'Lieutenant' in the British Army. Just to explain further, I am doing a redraft of a script which I wrote. The script features some military characters, one of whom is a British Army Lieutenant.

In the earlier draft of the script, I wrote the dialogue using the American pronunciation of the rank, i.e. 'Loo-tenant'. I think that I may have made a mistake with this and that it is actually pronounced 'Leftenant' instead? For example, 'Lieutenant John Smith' of the British Army would be addressed as 'Leftenant Smith' by other personnel, rather than 'Loo-tenant Smith' ?

Many thanks

[Bill A]

Hello Screenwriter. Your account is active and open for posts.

[Bill A]

Your interpretation of the pronunciation is correct. In British parlance, Leftenant is correct.

[Artynut]

I belong to an organisation (membership includes British, Canadian and others) which has frequent visits to an American organization of the same type. When in either “Mess”, both terminologies are freely used by each other. So “Screenwriter”, you have “Poetic License” to use either term, depending on the nationality of your characters. Good luck on your project! D.J.

[oc14]

For junior officers in the British Army (Second Lieutenant or Lieutenant), being addressed as “Mister” is also acceptable ( for example a more senior officer referring to Lieutenant Smith may well refer to him as Mister Smith..

Paul

[Gary B]

I know what my Grandad referred to them as........and it wasn't Mister.
(for context, he was badly gassed at Ypres and sent home to recuperate - and then spent the next 55 years smoking 40 Woodbines a day - until he died - still blaming the Hun for his dicky-chest. God bless him!)

[oc14]

Originally Posted by Gary B

I know what my Grandad referred to them as........and it wasn't Mister.
(for context, he was badly gassed at Ypres and sent home to recuperate - and then spent the next 55 years smoking 40 Woodbines a day - until he died - still blaming the Hun for his dicky-chest. God bless him!)

To be fair, junior infantry officers in WW1 were in exactly the same situation as the men they led and in my opinion deserved to be addressed as “Mr”…

Paul

[Jelly Terror]

American English... does my misophonia no good whatsoever [frown, grimace, gnash].

But on a lighter note:

https://youtu.be/aJ0nFQgRApY?si=8LMgOtsIBpzB45Im

JT

[Gary B]

JT - Brilliant!

[The_Screenwriter]

Many thanks for the replies to my query. Much appreciated. Thanks again.

[3dg]

Originally Posted by Jelly Terror

American English... does my misophonia no good whatsoever [frown, grimace, gnash].

But on a lighter note:

https://youtu.be/aJ0nFQgRApY?si=8LMgOtsIBpzB45Im

JT

Absolute classic JT
It would be found 'offensive' these days sadly.
Comedy is not the same anymore.

Chris

[Jelly Terror]

Originally Posted by 3dg

Absolute classic JT
It would be found 'offensive' these days sadly.
Comedy is not the same anymore.

Chris

They don't make 'em like they used to, Chris.

JT