I was 18 when I learnt how the title was pronounced, back in the day when there was only one English language radio station and the internet was practically unheard of. So excuse me for getting mightily annoyed whenever I hear people whom I’d expect to have made an effort (read: Malaysian radio DJs) repeatedly get it wrong.
Because, you see, it’s not Dee-a May-ker.
It’s not Dai-a May-ker.
D’yer Mak’er is pronounced Jamaica
Jer-may-ker.
Like the country.
For fuck’s sake, man. This is a well-known Led Zeppelin song from the extremely well-known Houses of the Holy album (11 million copies sold in the US alone and STILL counting!) we’re talking about, not the third track off Dennis Wilson’s Pacific Ocean Blue which maybe 100 people who do not go by the name Brian Wilson bought and heard. (Pssst. Brian claims he never knew Dennis cut a solo album, but I shall leave that for another day.)
So why do DJs in Malaysia get it wrong? Repeatedly? Well, here’s my theory -- they just don’t give a fuck.
Being a DJ in Malaysia is, usually, about glamour, fame, endorsement deals and voice work for adverts, or in the case of Bfm, being perceived to be smarter than the average listener. Those are the reasons why you’ll hear the Southern Rock band that hit big with Free Bird and Southern Man referred to as “Li-nerd” Skin-nerd. Yes, this despite the title of said band’s first album doubling as a pronunciation guide.
Oh, and speaking of Bfm, can someone acquainted with her please teach Meera whatsherface how to pronounce Jack Kerouac. She played Hey Jack Kerouac by 10,000 Maniacs sometime ago and pronounced the On the Road writer’s surname as Ke-rook. So much for trying to sound more intelligent than the average listener …
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