How do you pronounce "data"?

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I don't.

From the American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition:

data /dā′tə, dăt′ə, dä′tə/
noun plural
Facts that can be analyzed or used in an effort to gain knowledge or make decisions; information. Statistics or other information represented in a form suitable for processing by computer. See datum.

•••

datum /dā′təm, dăt′əm, dä′təm/
noun
A fact or proposition used to draw a conclusion or make a decision. A point, line, or surface used as a reference, as in surveying, mapping, or geology. A fact given; originally, one of the quantities stated, or one of the geometrical figures supposed constructed, in a mathematical problem, and from which the required magnitude or figure is to be determined.

Simple...this is easy..." Daaaa tah ". if your gonna say it ? [ Say it with Flair ] *.

The last word

Darrtaaa

As a data-analyst, it's best to pronounce 'data' as 'dayta.' More importantly, it's best to understand the distinctions amongst data, information, knowledge, wisdom, and value!

P.S. I sometimes (not often) pronounce 'data' as 'data' - more rarely, I pronounce 'data' as 'dahta' when communicating with people who are the "more or less formal" data analysts.

"Day-ta"

Dah-ta

My heart belongs to dah-ta!

I switch between them because I don't know which pronunciation is correct. Might help me to know which is correct because I work in data entry.

The character in Second Generation Star Trek is "DAY-ta".

Thats what he calls himself in the above vid clip and what the others call him.

The "thing" he is named after ...which is "the body of information gathered" not sure.

okay ...maybe , he should have just been called ..? info,,? dara..? info.. seems similiar to mein meaning .

Switching pronunciations of the word 'data' based-on whether or not one is at their work, or one is outside of work settings is notable.

I'm almost reminded of people in the U.S. who apply the 'Metric System' if they work, or are studying/training for occupations in the sciences, and precision-work.

The frequency of switching back and forth between the 'Metric System' and the 'Imperial System' is uniquely North American.

Countries like Canada who were the last developed nation to (not truly) convert to the Metric System (in 1970), sometimes experience confusion in juggling between 'Metric' and 'Imperial Standards.' The United States tried unsuccessfully to convert to the 'Metric System' in the mid-1970s - yet the 'Imperial System' became "cast in concrete" even before the 1970s.

Whether it's the 'Metric,' or 'Imperial Systems,' or those who frequently experience both systems, it's a matter of what we've become accustomed-to early on in our lives. It's similar to how, when, or where we decide how to pronounce the word 'data' - without too much confusion.

I once heard a joke that went:

What does a baby computer call its father?
"Data!"

Which was pronounced as "dah-tah", but I usually pronounce it as "day-ta" the rest of the time. I guess there can be more than one way to pronounce many words. I say to-may-to and you say to-mah-to, let's call the whole thing off.

The correct pronunciation is:
Lieutenant Commander Day-ta

(We can now fuss about Left-tenant vs Loo-tenant too)

I notice that I say “Day-ta-base” but “dat-ta-transfer”. Odd.


“Could you please continue the petty bickering? I find it most intriguing.”

– Lt. Cmdr. Data

Star Trek: The Next Generation, ‘Haven’.