my_daroga: Mucha's "Dance" (capslock doctor)
my_daroga ([personal profile] my_daroga) wrote2008-01-09 09:09 am
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Pronunciation

Per a conversation last night, I have a poll about pronouncing proper names depending on whether you're going by origin or by local preference or whatever. Some discussion under the cut.

[Poll #1118385]


Nevada. Of Spanish origin. Mr. Daroga believes it ought to be pronounced in the Spanish fashion, though the people (and government) of the state itself react very negatively to that pronunciation. The struggle: whether to hold true to the name's origin and look ignorant to the people who live there, or give in?

Bret. On the show, everyone but his countrymen call him "Bret," as it's spelled. Even when Jemaine is playing David Bowie. Mr. Daroga's position is that since it is his name and he says "Brit," one should attempt to pronounce it in the same fashion. I am not so sure; yes, it's his name, but isn't it like "faking" a New Zealand accent, and wouldn't that be grating, too?


What other names have this problem? Notre Dame, for instance. Any other favorites?

[identity profile] agentdanak.livejournal.com 2008-01-09 07:56 pm (UTC)(link)
bourbonnais is a town in illinois (woah, both french!), and sounds correctly like bourbon with a big fat a on the end. or if you are stereotypical canada man, 'bourbon, eh!'

you get the idea.

and yes, lyra is lir-a to fit the rest of the name: lyra cole. it is not lie-ra cole :P that'd sound incredibly silly, yes?

but, i attribute the weird mispronunciation to folk just not getting the pun. which makes me nod my head knowingly whilst inside my head i am weeping for humanity.

*grin*