Pronunciation of bin Laden's org in the media

[Lesa Dill]

I figured it was a triphthong.  Since English doesn't have them (??maybe)
anymore, some level it to the diphthong [ai] and others to the monophthong
[e].  Anybody know Arabic?

Dave wrote:

> I wonder if anyone has wondered at the near 50/50 split
> that I've noticed in the media re: the pronunciation of
> Osama bin Laden's organization.  Some people say "alkaida"
> and some "alkeida" (roughly phonetic notation).  I've seen,
> of course, broadcasters "mispronounce" foreign names before,
> but this is the first time I've seen a case where it seems
> almost a coin-toss how a given announcer/politician/etc
> will say it.  I believe I recall a case where ABC's George
> Stefanopoulos said it both ways within the space of a
> couple minutes.
>
> I wonder whether there may be a pragmatic dimension to some
> of these cases: that is, some of these people may think (as I
> do) that "alkaida" is closer to the true Arabic pronunciation,
> but may be deliberately pronouncing it the other way in
> order to show a kind of passive contempt for them.
>
> Anyone else have thoughts on this?
>
> Dave