Pronunciation of "diplomatie"?

Question

I heard it pronounced as if it were "diplomacie" on the radio, and then I checked it in a few places online and they all pronounced it like that as well. Why is the *t* being pronounced as a *c*? Is *-atie* always pronounced like that?

Answer 1

I wouldn't recommend trying to remember rules and then their exceptions; rather, I suggest just learning how something is pronounced (for example), and then use it frequently for a while to become comfortable with it.

Answer 2

When the construction "ti" is followed by a vowel, the "t" becomes an "s" as long as the "t" does not occur at the begining of the word.

In your example, "diplomatie," the letter "t" is not at the beginning of the word, and it is followed by an i and then a vowel. The "t" is pronounced as an "s."

Examples:

Alternative : pronounced as a "t" because the "ti" is followed by the consonant "v," not by a vowel

Attention: The "tion" is pronounced with an "s" sound, not a "t"

Patient: The "tient" is pronounced with an "s" sound at the beginning, not a "t"

Superstitieux: The "tieux" is pronounced with an "s" sound, not a "t"

But at the beginning of a word, a "ti" retains the "t" sound, even if followed by a vowel.

Examples:

Tiede, un tiers, tiens, le tien, la tienne

So in your example, "diplomatie," the "a" is not relevant, except that *something* comes before the "tie." The "tie" is not at the beginning of a word.

As with all rules, expect exceptions.