Pronunciation of "Zidane"

[Yliette]

First of all I apologize to the mods if a similar thread has already been started some time ago.

Anyway, it's been years since I've played FFIX and until now I'm still confused with how you pronounce Zidane's name.

I have three options:
1. "zih-DAN"
2. "zih-DANE" (as in "Great Dane")
3. "ZAI-dane"

As for me I'll settle with #1 since AFAIK his Japanese name is pronounced "Jitan". On the other hand I've also met many people who pronounce it was #2 and #3. But please tell me what you think.

[scrumpleberry]

zihDAYNE. I just got used to pronouncing it like that from when I was younger. :P

If I played the game for the first time now it would be zihDAN, but I can't be bothered to change and I think zihDAYNE sounds better anyway.

[PuPu]

The same way you pronounce the French soccer player's name, which I think is the first one. At least this is what I think. But I definitely think #2 actually sounds the best and that is what I always call him.

[Polnareff]

I heard that Zidane's name is supposed to be a pun on a word for "gypsy" and should thus be pronounced "zih-dayne."

If that's true then the Japanese pronunciation sure doesn't reflect that.

[daggertrepe]

Zye-dane is how it should be said.

[Zeromus_X]

Zidane is pronounced 'zi-DAHN' (like the French football player).

ジタン・トライバル (Jitan Toraibaru; Zidane Tribal. Zi-Dahn Tribal (as in the word 'tribal').

[ReloadPsi]

Yeah, spelling it Zidane was basically a big fat translation error, but knowing this I still pronounce it that second way. Man, you shoulda put a poll on the thread.

[Rocket Edge]

Zid-anne, or Zi-dan (same as french footballer Zinedine Zidane).

[Mirage]

I pronounce it like the French football player, just with a hint of an "e" at the end, because I'm Scandinavian :p

[McLovin']

To save me the trouble I called him Zidzane. (i as in Cid and "za" as in ka"za"am)

[Yliette]

Zinedine Zidane is French?! I thought all along he was Brazilian! I'm not really the sports aficionada...

[Goldenboko]

Zidane is pronounced 'zi-DAHN' Like Zinédine Zidane (Mr. Headbutt himself XP)

I've always pronounced it 'zi-DAN' (Long A) because quite frankly I think it sounds best that way.

[Lynx]

i always pronounced it like

Z-eye-dane

[Psychotic]

2. "zih-DANE" (as in "Great Dane")

I use this one. I don't like to be reminded of everyone's favourite balding Frenchman. (Cue horrible Euro 2004 flashback)

[Jiro]

Zinédine Zidane is pronounced Zih-Dayne with a short "i" sound and a long "ain" as is pain.
So thats how i say it

Edit: after reading the next post i would like to say that my coach says Zinédine Zidane Zi-Dan and he is an avid football watcher so it can be anyway. Whatever your preference