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ArchivesHey Pavlos!!!
Hey, remember me? It's been a long time since I've posted,but I remembered that you are the all-wise resident Greek name expert, and I need help with a name. I'm reading a book with the name Iolanthe. It's so hard to read when the character's name can't be read properly! I found it's name and meaning on this site, even the pronunciation. It's the pronunciation part I need help with. Could you break it down for me a little more?
The site has it as follows: ie-o-LAN-thee
Is the "ie" like the sound made in "cheese"?\
Is the "LAN" part said like "land" w/out the "d"?
I appreciate any help!!! Thanks.
The site has it as follows: ie-o-LAN-thee
Is the "ie" like the sound made in "cheese"?\
Is the "LAN" part said like "land" w/out the "d"?
I appreciate any help!!! Thanks.
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Replies
Sorry, I'm not Pavlos - but there's a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta called Iolanthe after the heroine, and there it's eye-oh-LAN-thee, with the LAN like 'land' without the D and the -thee with the -th- sound we get in 'thigh' and 'thistle', not the voiced version.
When they were writing, an English gentleman (and his audience) would be expected to know Greek; however, when I think of how they used to pronounce Latin, I must confess to a little shiver of doubt ...
When they were writing, an English gentleman (and his audience) would be expected to know Greek; however, when I think of how they used to pronounce Latin, I must confess to a little shiver of doubt ...
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Hi dear 'Cole, so good to hear a voice from the past :)
Ioalanthe is pronounced as:
Ee-o-LAN-thy
Ee- is indeed as in "cheese"
-o is as in "opera"
-LAN is as in "land"
-th is kinda tricky: it is *not*pronounced as in "the" but as in "thick". Think Thylvethter lithping "Thufferin' thuccotash!" -- get the picture?
-y as in "pretty", which reminds me of the time you had posted a link you you picture a couple of years ago :)))
Cheers, Pavlos
P.S. Anneza's suspicion that teh Brits massacred the pronounciation of Iolanthe is spot-on :)
Ioalanthe is pronounced as:
Ee-o-LAN-thy
Ee- is indeed as in "cheese"
-o is as in "opera"
-LAN is as in "land"
-th is kinda tricky: it is *not*pronounced as in "the" but as in "thick". Think Thylvethter lithping "Thufferin' thuccotash!" -- get the picture?
-y as in "pretty", which reminds me of the time you had posted a link you you picture a couple of years ago :)))
Cheers, Pavlos
P.S. Anneza's suspicion that teh Brits massacred the pronounciation of Iolanthe is spot-on :)
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Thanks guys!
I can continue to read my book now in peace knowing that I'm saying the name properly. Especially because my mom and I exchange books and I just know she'll ask me about this one! You guys are the best!
I can continue to read my book now in peace knowing that I'm saying the name properly. Especially because my mom and I exchange books and I just know she'll ask me about this one! You guys are the best!
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