Why is Lieutenant pronounced with an F?

As a language expert with a keen interest in etymology and pronunciation, I often explore the fascinating ways in which words evolve over time and across different regions. The pronunciation of the word "lieutenant" is a perfect example of this linguistic phenomenon.
When we examine the word "lieutenant," we're looking at a term that has its roots in the French language. The word "lieutenant" in French means "one who stands in place of," which is a fitting description for the role of a lieutenant in both military and civilian contexts. Over time, as the English language adopted and adapted this word, it underwent various changes in spelling and pronunciation.
The pronunciation of "lieutenant" as "leftenant" in British English can be attributed to a few factors. Firstly, the British English pronunciation tends to preserve older forms of pronunciation that were prevalent before the Great Vowel Shift, a historical chain shift in the pronunciation of long vowels in English that occurred between the 14th and 18th centuries. This shift affected the pronunciation of words borrowed from French, and in some cases, the British retained the original French pronunciation, while American English adapted to the new shifted sounds.
Secondly, the pronunciation of "lieutenant" as "leftenant" in British English is also influenced by the way the British Army and the Royal Air Force (RAF) have traditionally used the term. Military and other formal institutions often maintain their own unique linguistic conventions, which can diverge from common usage. The British military's use of "leftenant" is an example of this.
It's also worth noting that pronunciation can be influenced by the phonetic environment in which a word is used. The word "lieutenant" is often followed by the word "general," and the hard "f" sound in "leftenant" may have been influenced by the soft "g" sound in "general," creating a smoother transition between the two words when spoken aloud.
In contrast, American English tends to pronounce "lieutenant" as "loo-tenant" or "liu-tenant," which reflects the Great Vowel Shift and the subsequent changes in vowel pronunciation that occurred in American English. This variation is an example of how language can change when it is transplanted to a new environment and influenced by different cultural and linguistic factors.
In conclusion, the pronunciation of "lieutenant" as "leftenant" in British English is a result of historical linguistic shifts, the influence of military conventions, and the phonetic environment in which the word is used. It's a fascinating example of how language can vary between different English-speaking regions and the rich history that lies behind these variations.

A: leftenant is not a word, but it is the pronunciation of lieutenant in England. In the US, it is pronounced liu-tenant or loo-tenant. None. In the British Army and RAF its pronounced "leftenant" but spelled "lieutenant".