New Post
Search
Help[Opinions] Pronunciation issues - Peyton, Colton, etc.
How do you personally pronounce names that end in -ton? I have an issue with these names because I always want to say PEYT-un or COLT-un, which almost sounds like Pey'un and Col'un but I much prefer PEY-ton and COL-ton. The thing is, it sounds totally unnatural for me to say PEY-ton and COL-ton...I feel like I'm over pronouncing the names and putting too much emphasis on the t's. For example, I wouldn't pronounce the surname Bolton as BOL-ton. I'd say BOLT-un, just barely pronouncing the 't'.
I know I'm not the only person who does that near-omission of the 't', and for that reason I find -ton names awkward. Sometimes I hear Colton's being called COL-ton, and sometimes I hear COLT-un. Which is it and will these kids always have people saying their names differently?
I know I'm not the only person who does that near-omission of the 't', and for that reason I find -ton names awkward. Sometimes I hear Colton's being called COL-ton, and sometimes I hear COLT-un. Which is it and will these kids always have people saying their names differently?
Archived Thread - replies disabled
1
Replies
I say the T if sh, f, s, p, g, or sometimes an unstressed syllable is before -ton.
But -ton names with vowels, r, n, t, l before the ton, all lack the "t" sound when I say them. If I said the "t" in Payton, I would be saying the words "pay ton," not the name Payton. I don't know if it is because of the time I spent in Texas, or if I was the same way when I grew up in California, or what. I don't think they are awkward, but I don't really like saying them. I would think it was awkward, though, if someone named Colton or whatever demanded that I enunciate his T when I addressed him.
But -ton names with vowels, r, n, t, l before the ton, all lack the "t" sound when I say them. If I said the "t" in Payton, I would be saying the words "pay ton," not the name Payton. I don't know if it is because of the time I spent in Texas, or if I was the same way when I grew up in California, or what. I don't think they are awkward, but I don't really like saying them. I would think it was awkward, though, if someone named Colton or whatever demanded that I enunciate his T when I addressed him.
1
agreed. it's awkward to "over-pronounce" a name! -
1
I guess mine's more like COLT-un, PEYT-un, but I don't lose my Ts.
I don't know if it matters that much? I'm sure if Mom and Dad always pronounce it "COL-ton" and then the kid goes to school and the teacher pronounces it "COLT-un", the kid won't be confused or, unless they're REALLY sensitive, really all that bothered.
I don't know if it matters that much? I'm sure if Mom and Dad always pronounce it "COL-ton" and then the kid goes to school and the teacher pronounces it "COLT-un", the kid won't be confused or, unless they're REALLY sensitive, really all that bothered.
1
At first I couldn't the difference between the two ways you were pronouncing it. But now I realise that the understated 't' way of pronouncing it is just like my cousins' accent - they come from Plymouth, England. They never pronounce the 't' in words, most notably water, which in their accent sounds like war-er or wah-er.
In my normal accent I'd say Peyton with the t because that is how it is said where I am from, however when I am around my cousins - and I do pick up their accent immediately when in their presence - I wouldn't say the t but that's just because of the accent.
In my normal accent I'd say Peyton with the t because that is how it is said where I am from, however when I am around my cousins - and I do pick up their accent immediately when in their presence - I wouldn't say the t but that's just because of the accent.
1
I live in the US, in the Northeast. I also barely pronounce the t in these names, but more with Petyon (like PAYT'n). With Colton, I do pronounce the t more, but only half the times I say it! haha Same with Bolton. I feel like if I was saying one of those names for hte first time, or reapeating back the name to make sure I got it right, for example, I'd pronounce it with a distinct t, but if I was just saying the name of a person I knew well, I'd probably lightly touch on the t, ala Colt'n/Bolt'n.
That said, I don't think that these names sound weird or wrong pronounced with a "light" t. I think that's pretty normal, actually. Most of the time people say things fast and mush sounds together.
I don't see it as a problem, really, unless you think that, in the area you live in, the names will sound strange/not how they're "supposed" to.
For example, because I live in New England, many people have a regional accent that chops off the endings and replaces them with an "a" sound. For example, Taylor sometimes becomes Tayluh. Hence, when people actually name their child Tayla, I think it's just Taylor being pronounced with an accent, and it's confusing.
That said, I don't think that these names sound weird or wrong pronounced with a "light" t. I think that's pretty normal, actually. Most of the time people say things fast and mush sounds together.
I don't see it as a problem, really, unless you think that, in the area you live in, the names will sound strange/not how they're "supposed" to.
For example, because I live in New England, many people have a regional accent that chops off the endings and replaces them with an "a" sound. For example, Taylor sometimes becomes Tayluh. Hence, when people actually name their child Tayla, I think it's just Taylor being pronounced with an accent, and it's confusing.
1
I have the same problem as you. I usually overpronounce the names and probably sound silly enunciating Ts and Ds. Even my nephew's name (Jaden) always makes me feel like I'm either swallowing the D or being too prim and proper! :)
1
I remember posting about this, when the name"Winter" was discussed.I aways say the "t" in winter..even when whispering to myself, my tongue ticks against my inside top teeth.
But Peyton and Colton? No, I say Pey'un and Col'un.
Perhaps because "Winter" (the season) has been part of my vocabulary since vey young childhood, whereas I rarely have occasion to say Peyton and Colton.
But Peyton and Colton? No, I say Pey'un and Col'un.
Perhaps because "Winter" (the season) has been part of my vocabulary since vey young childhood, whereas I rarely have occasion to say Peyton and Colton.
1