Rossians and Russians

[Joshua Wilson]

This American would pronounce it just as you do.  

There are very few contexts in which the double "s" will be 
pronounced "sh" and when given a new word, most (I think Americans and 
everyone else alike) will pronounce it with rules and not the 
exception.  

It also helps that we use the names "Ross" (Rahs) and "Ian" (Eean) in 
the US.  Put them together for the pronunciation below.  


> Okay, speaking as a linguist, how will Americans pronounce 
> Rossians?  I would pronounce it [rahsee'uns], but I bet lots of 
Americans
> would pronounce it [rahshuns] in contrast with [ruhshuns].  But if 
> you say [rahshuns] out loud, it sounds like someone pronouncing
> Russians with a Russian accent...
> Jules Levin
> (sorry, I couldn't resist...)

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