Mastering the Rest of the Word
Use the "aw" pronunciation. Some native Chicagoans insist the second syllable should be pronounced as an “aw.” As in “Shic-aw-go.” George Wendt, in the iconic Saturday Night Live skit on Chicago super fans, pronounced it “Shic-aw-go.” He is from Chicago. Former Chicago Mayor Richard Daley is another notable local who pronounces it as “aw.” The "go" at the end of the word is always pronounced the same as the word "go."
Use the "ah" pronunciation. Other native Chicagoans insist that they say the middle syllable as “ah” and that this pronunciation is also correct. Sometimes this becomes “Shic-aaaaahhhh-go” and sometimes it's said as “Shic-ah-go.” You will often find the “ah” version on dictionary and pronunciation sites online.
Determine what's appropriate for the environment. Although either pronunciation is technically authentic, if you want to sound more “modern” or “high-brow,” some people think you should go with the “ah.” For example, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel uses the “ah” pronunciation. There is some evidence that the most distinct Chicago accents come from older generations and that the accent is disappearing in the young. African-American and Latino Chicagoans may also add their own pronunciation to words. If, however, you are an actor who is trying to play a Chicago character from the past or trying to capture a distinctly local neighborhood feel, the “aw” might be the better way to go. Traditional Chicagoans elongate the “a” vowel in all of their words, not just “Chicago.” For example, they may say basketball as “beasketball.” So, to summarize, both "Shic-aw-go" and "Shic-ah-go" are considered authentic pronunciations.
Learning the Word’s History
Study the history of the word. The word “Chicago’s” pronunciation (especially its first syllable) makes more sense when you realize its etymology (history). The word derives from the Native American Algonquian language. It was first seen, though, on a map created by French explorers in the 17th century. The soft “ch” sound is likely also attributed to the French language influence on the word. The Indian word “Checagow” meant “place of the smelly onions” and was a reference to an onion field. French explorers wrote it down as they heard it, changing the spelling. Others think it was a reference to the Chacaqua River.
Listen to pronunciation videos or audio online. Sometimes the best way to learn how to pronounce any word is to watch a video of it online. However, be aware when it comes to this word that the sites tend to favor the “ah” pronunciation. YouTube is filled with such videos, where you can hear native speakers pronounce the word “Chicago.” Record yourself saying the word for comparative purposes, and listen to the audio side-by-side. This should help you improve the pronunciation.
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