Greg , you are of cporse correct that in Britain, CON-troversy is not regarded as an Americanism. The point is that in the USA, con-TROV-ersy is regarded as a British pronunciation.

Perversely, con-TRIB-ute is standard American pronunciation, CON-trib-ute sounds strange to their ears.

Oh well, enough of this, must get on with my schedule (skedule? shedule?)

Murray