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Help[Opinions] Re: Beryl
in reply to a message by Jonquil
I've always liked Beryl. I know a woman here in the U.S. named Beryl. She's from Yonkers, New York, is in her 60's and pronounces it "burl." I have to force myself to pronounce it that way because it reminds me of Burl Ives. It just doesn't sound feminine.
Now, pronounced the correct way, to rhyme with Cheryl, then it's lovely. Has anyone else run into the "burl" pronunciation? I hope not.
I'd love to see Beryl ("BEHR-il") gain popularity.
Now, pronounced the correct way, to rhyme with Cheryl, then it's lovely. Has anyone else run into the "burl" pronunciation? I hope not.
I'd love to see Beryl ("BEHR-il") gain popularity.
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Where I'm from...
...or I should say, where my parents' families live, in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, Beryl and Cheryl would most likely be pronounced 'Burl' and 'Churl' ('Shirl' is a common variation of Cheryl there.). It's the accent. Almost any 'er' combination is pronounced as if it were 'ur', and also, almost any name ending with an 'a' is usually pronounced as though it ends in 'y' (there are exceptions to this rule. Not all male names follow this rule, and some female names don't.). For example Marthy for Martha.
I, however, having a more Southern than Appalachian accent, say ('BEHR-il'). I want to like it, it's a name I should like in theory, but it reminds me of the character Beryl Caighn in Adam's Rib, and sadly, that association has soured me on the name.
...or I should say, where my parents' families live, in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, Beryl and Cheryl would most likely be pronounced 'Burl' and 'Churl' ('Shirl' is a common variation of Cheryl there.). It's the accent. Almost any 'er' combination is pronounced as if it were 'ur', and also, almost any name ending with an 'a' is usually pronounced as though it ends in 'y' (there are exceptions to this rule. Not all male names follow this rule, and some female names don't.). For example Marthy for Martha.
I, however, having a more Southern than Appalachian accent, say ('BEHR-il'). I want to like it, it's a name I should like in theory, but it reminds me of the character Beryl Caighn in Adam's Rib, and sadly, that association has soured me on the name.
This message was edited 5/29/2008, 11:28 AM
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Yep! Beryl's my mother's name and that's how my dad says it!!! Dreadful!!
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I knew a couple of women named Beryl, when I was growing up, and both pronounced it "Burl".
I don't even much like the "Beril" pronounciation, as it reminds me of the large wooden container(such as a rain barrel.) Although my late father pronounced THAT word, "baarrl"
I don't even much like the "Beril" pronounciation, as it reminds me of the large wooden container(such as a rain barrel.) Although my late father pronounced THAT word, "baarrl"
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He does? How does your mother and her family pronounce it? Does it bug your mother?
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She's never liked the name anyway, though it suits her in the sense that her eyes are a lovely clear green. I've never heard her complain about that pronunciation though - which I think my paternal grandma also used! It reminds me of a big burly truckdriver!
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