Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *sprekaną ‎(“to speak, make a noise”), from Proto-Indo-European *spreg- ‎(“to make a sound, speak”). Compare Proto-Indo-European *sperHg- ‎(“to make a noise”). Cognate with Old Frisian spreka (West Frisian sprekke), Old Saxon sprekan (Middle Low German spreken), Dutch spreken, Old High German sprehhan (German sprechen), Old Norse spraka ‎(“to crackle, rustle”), Albanian shpreh ‎(“to utter, express, voice”). Related to Old English ġesprecen, Old High German gisprāchi, Old Norse spraki ‎(“rumour, report”), and German Gespräch.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈsprekɑn/