American pronunciation of ''semi''

[Lars Anders Kulbrandstad]

Dear ADS-L-subscribers,

I send the query below on behalf of a colleague of mine in the English
department. He would very much appriciate your
help.

Lars Anders Kulbrandstad
Department of Norwegian
Faculty of Teacher Education
Hedmark College
Norway

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Are there any speakers of American English who could help sort out an
argument* on the pronunciation of "semi"?
In British English it rhymes with "Demi" - the actress. Does this
pronunciation occur in AmE?

Is the standard pronunciation one that rhymes with "gem" + "I"?

I have also heard a pronunciation rhyming with "see"+"my"? Is this on
the increase?

If these three pronunciations are found in AmE.' are they social
variations - relating to age, occupation etc?

(*The winner of this argument stands to win 10 cents. So it is obviously

a matter that deserves careful attention.)