A Perconal Pronunciation

(I’m sitting in my law class. My lecturer is discussing the damages awarded in civil law cases. This woman is the head of the business/law faculties.)

Lecturer: “And so if the three essentials in negligence are proven, the court can then decide whether to award pecuniary or non-pecuniary compensation.”

(She pronounces it ‘per-soon-ary.’)

Classmate: “Isn’t it pronounced ‘pi-KYOO-ni-ary’?”

Lecturer: “Uh, maybe. I think the two are the same word with the same meaning but you have to say it differently in legal things.”