2 syllables: hask, ell. Stress on hask.
HAS-kuhl
/ˈhæskəl/
haskell is pronounced HAS-kuhl (/ˈhæskəl/). It has two syllables (hask-ell), with the stress on "hask". Haskell is a surname and given name of Jewish origin that also refers to a family name associated with prominent software and mathematics figures. In computing, it’s widely recognized as the name of a pure functional programming language created in the 1990s. The term carries mathematical and academic connotations, often invoked in discussions of type systems, laziness, and higher-order functions.
Haskell is a surname and given name of Jewish origin that also refers to a family name associated with prominent software and mathematics figures. In computing, it’s widely recognized as the name of a pure functional programming language created in the 1990s. The term carries mathematical and academic connotations, often invoked in discussions of type systems, laziness, and higher-order functions.
- Keep the first vowel crisp: avoid turning /æ/ into /eɪ/ or a schwa too early. Practice with the minimal pair: haskell vs. hasskell to lock in the /æ/ quality. - Don’t fuse the syllables: ensure a clear /hæsk/ onset before the /əl/. Many speakers slide into /ə/ or /l/ without the /k/ release; time the /k/ release and then the schwa quickly. - Final l handling: some non-native speakers nasalize or overly syllabify the final /əl/. Aim for a light, almost whispered /əl/ or a clean /əl/ with a small air release. Practice with the phrase “Haskell programmer” to ensure rhythm consistency.
"The Haskell program compiled successfully after optimizing the lazy evaluation."
"She cited Haskell as an example of a pure functional language in her lecture."
"Haskell is not just a language; it's a mindset for mathematical rigor."
Pronounce it as HAS-kəl with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU /ˈhæskəl/. Begin with a short open front unrounded vowel /hæ/ (like 'hat'), then a light /s/ followed by /k/ and a schwa /ə/ in the second syllable. Pay attention to a crisp /k/ release before the final /əl/. Audio reference: compare to “Haskell” in reputable dictionaries or pronunciation resources that indicate /ˈhæskəl/.
Common errors include reducing the second syllable too much (saying /ˈhæs.kəl/ with a stronger vowel) and misplacing the /æ/ or softening the final /l/ into an /l/ blend. Correction: keep /hæsk/ as a closed syllable with a clear /æ/ and release /k/ before the schwa; end with a light, tap-like /l/ or light sheening /əl/. Practice with minimal pairs like ‘haskel’ versus ‘haskell’ to reinforce accurate vowel quality and syllable boundary.
In US English, you’ll hear /ˈhæskəl/ with rhotic rhotics present and a crisp /k/ before the final schwa. UK English tends toward a slightly tenser /æ/ and a crisper /l/; some speakers may reduce the final to /əl/ or /l/ depending on dialect. Australian English is similar to US but can feature a slightly more centralized vowel in the second syllable and a subtler /ɫ/ variant. Across accents, the primary contrast remains first-syllable stress and the /sk/ cluster before the final vowel.
The difficulty lies in maintaining a clear /æ/ in the first syllable while smoothly transitioning to the /sk/ cluster and then releasing into a reduced second syllable. The challenge is to avoid turning the /æ/ into /æɪ/ or the /k/ into /g/ and to land the final /əl/ cleanly without a trailing extra vowel. Practicing the timing of the stop /k/ release and the light /l/ helps stabilize the rhythm and prevents distortion in rapid speech.
No. The initial /h/ is pronounced in standard usage, leading into /æ/ with a typical aspirated /h/. Some speakers may glottalize or reduce the onset in very careful or rapid speech, but in formal, published references and standard pronunciation guides, the initial /h/ remains audible. So the standard form is /ˈhæskəl/, with a pronounced initial /h/ and an audible onset leading into the vowel /æ/.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "haskell"!
- US: Preserve the rhotic feel on the /r/? Actually 'haskell' is non-rhotic in many contexts, but the word itself ends with /l/ and a schwa; ensure the /ɹ/ is not added. Focus on American /ˈhæskəl/ with a clear /æ/; keep the second syllable unstressed. - UK: Slightly tenser first vowel; avoid adding extra vowel after /l/; keep /l/ dark or light depending on dialect. - AU: Similar to US but can feature slight vowel centralization; keep the /æ/ stable and not drift into /eɪ/. Reference IPA /ˈhæskəl/.
Haskell is a surname of uncertain medieval Ashkenazi Jewish origin, likely derived from the Germanic surname Hasso or Hasel, possibly connected to the word Hasel (hazel) indicating a family association with hazel trees or a toponymic origin. The modern association with computing stems from the late 20th century, when American computer scientist Simon Peyton Jones and his collaborators named the language ‘Haskell’ after Haskell Curry, a celebrated logician and mathematician. The choice honors Curry’s work on combinatory logic and currying, embedding a tradition of mathematical rigor into the language’s identity. The first public release of the Haskell programming language was in 1990, with updates in the early 1990s, and it has since become a standard in academic and industry circles for exploring lazy evaluation and type systems. The name’s etymology thus weaves together Jewish family naming, hazel-rooted toponymy, and an homage to a foundational logician, creating a cross-cultural, cross-disciplinary identity that language designers consciously chose to reflect its mathematical heritage.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "haskell" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "haskell" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "haskell" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "haskell"
-kel sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
