BAHR-bur-iz-uhm
/ˈbɑɹbɚˌɪzəm/
barbarism is pronounced BAHR-bur-iz-uhm (/ˈbɑɹbɚˌɪzəm/). Barbarism refers to a societal practice or behavior considered uncivilized or brutal, often in contrast to refinement or civilization. It can describe savage acts, or the state of being barbaric, typically carrying a negative, critical connotation. The term is used in historical, literary, and ethical discussions to critique violence, ignorance, or cultural disdain.
Barbarism refers to a societal practice or behavior considered uncivilized or brutal, often in contrast to refinement or civilization. It can describe savage acts, or the state of being barbaric, typically carrying a negative, critical connotation. The term is used in historical, literary, and ethical discussions to critique violence, ignorance, or cultural disdain.
"The tribe's ritual was misunderstood as barbarism by outsiders."
"Debates about cultural tolerance sometimes labeled certain practices as barbarism."
"Civilization vs. barbarism is a recurring theme in 19th-century literature."
You say /bɑrˈbær.ɪz.əm/ in US English and /ˈbɑː.bə.rɪ.zəm/ in many UK pronunciations, with stress on the second syllable: bar-BAR-ism. Start with the “bar” as in bear, then a lighter “bar-” followed by a clear “ri” (as in ridge) and a final schwa + m. Practicing slowly: bar-bar-ism, then fast: bar-bə-riz-əm.
Common errors include misplacing stress to the first syllable (BAR-bar-ism) and pronouncing the middle vowel as an exact 'a' like in cat. Correct by keeping stress on the second syllable: bar-BARR-ism, and using a reduced schwa in the final -ism: -iz-əm. Ensure the tensing of /ɪ/ in -riz- isn’t confused with a longer /i:/. Practice the sequence: bar-bar-izm, then bar-bə-rɪz-əm to feel the weak vowels.
In US, you’ll hear /bɑrˈbærˌɪzəm/ with rhotic r and a pronounced /ˌɪ/ in the middle; UK often yields /ˈbɑː.bəˌrɪ.zəm/ with less r-like quality and a shorter first syllable, and often a more centralised /ə/ in -bar-; Australian is similar to UK but with a broader vowel in the first syllable and a slightly flatter final -zəm. The main differences are rhoticity, vowel quality, and stress placement variance across toe-to-edge speech.
The difficulty lies in the sequence of staccato consonants followed by a light weak syllable：bar-BAR-ism requires a clear, secondary stress and a precise -rɪ- to -zəm transition. The middle /ˈbær/ vs /ˈbə.rɪ/ can trip you up if you over-articulate the second syllable or under-articulate the final schwa. Practice with slow tempo, chaudio, and IPA-aligned mouth positioning to lock the rhythm.
A unique feature is the two consecutive “bar” clusters in rapid speech, requiring quick, balanced articulation without doubling or slurring. The primary stress lands on the second syllable, which can feel counterintuitive after the first “bar.” Focus on a crisp /bɑr/ or /bær/ then a lighter /ɪ/ or /ɪz/ before the final /əm/. This balance is crucial for natural-sounding bar-bar-ism in fluent speech.
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US: rhotic /r/ is pronounced; stress pattern is bar-BAR-izm; middle vowel is /ɪ/ in -riz-; UK: less pronounced /r/ (non-rhotic often affects in connected speech), first syllable closer to /bɑː/; AU: similar to UK but with a more open /æ/ in some speakers, and slight vowel flattening. For all: keep the final -ism light and the tablespoon of schwa /ə/ before m. Use IPA as a photo of articulations to monitor accuracy across accents.
Barbarism originates from the Ancient Greek barbaros (barbarian), a term used by Greek speakers to imitate the sound of foreign languages, implying outsider status. The Latin barbarismus later carried the same sense and then entered English in the medieval period, typically paired with -ism to denote a state, condition, or practice. The core idea began as a label for non-Greek speakers perceived as “barbarous” or uncivilized. Over time, barbarism broadened from linguistic otherness to moral and cultural judgments about acts, customs, or social orders deemed crude or savage. In Enlightenment and Romantic debates, barbarism opposed civilization and refinement, becoming a frequent rhetorical foil for critiques of empire, colonialism, and totalitarianism. By the 19th and 20th centuries, barbarism also described brutal political regimes, systematic violence, or cultural suppression, retaining its negative valence. Today, it remains a charged term used in ethics, history, and literary criticism to condemn brutality or ignorance, while sometimes raising questions about subjectivity in cultural judgments.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "barbarism" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "barbarism"
-ism sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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