# Character name pronunciation decisions **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 13, 2014, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-name-pronunciation-decisions/693034 "2014-07-13T23:48:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-name-pronunciation-decisions/693034/21 "2014-07-14T13:27:38Z")
I haven’t had it happen too often, but I stick with the author’s version. About the only time I noticed it was hearing Terry Brooks pronounce “Shannara.” Chip Delany’s pronunciation of “Nevèrÿon” is also what I hadn’t expected. I hadn’t realized what he meant by the accents – it’s pronounced “Nuh-VAIR-ee-on.” ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-name-pronunciation-decisions/693034/22 "2014-07-14T16:18:54Z")
In Stephen King’s _Dark Tower_ series, his character Roland often reminisces about his childhood friend Cuthbert. To me, it was always pronounced “Cuth-bert.” In _Wizard & Glass_ from that series, someone is referring to Cuthbert’s real name (part of the novel revolves around them having assumed false names…Cuthbert’s was “Arthur Heath.”), and pronounces it “Cuh-yooth-bert.” Which now makes me wonder how [Elisha Cuthbert](https://www.google.com/search?q=elisha+cuthbert&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=zQLEU-2ECIvF8QHHroGIDg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1600&bih=799) pronounces her last name. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-name-pronunciation-decisions/693034/23 "2014-07-14T16:44:13Z")
When I first read the name “Golan Trevize” in the Foundation series, I pronounced it with three syllables—Treh-vee-zay At some point when another character calls him “Trev” he says that his name has two syllables “Trev-ize.” I didn’t like the way that sounded so I stuck with my version. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-name-pronunciation-decisions/693034/24 "2014-07-14T17:56:45Z")
Generally, I take the author’s intention, but there are a few times where I just don’t see it and insist on my own. For example, there’s a Discworld character named “Teatime” and the book specifically tells you to pronounce it “Te-ah-time-ah” and I refuse to do that. (I suspect most readers do - it’s probably an intentional joke that way.) I have also given up trying to pronounce Welsh names correctly. I’m sorry, but you people need to use the same letters in the same way as the rest of us. 🙂 One reason I prefer to use the author’s pronunciation is that it’s often a good clue as to how other names are pronounced. For example, where you place the accent on Shannara should be a result of some consistent linguistic scheme that other names follow. I’m not familiar enough with those novels to know whether it is consistent or not. If it’s not consistent, then I’m likely to insist on my own pronunciation regardless of the author. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-name-pronunciation-decisions/693034/25 "2014-07-14T17:59:12Z")
Who woulda thunk that you’re supposed to pronounce the K in Knufflebunny? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-name-pronunciation-decisions/693034/26 "2014-07-14T22:20:11Z")
One that I’ve run across a lot are the names of European board games. We Americans apparently amuse the hell out of Europeans as we try to pronounce names like Agricola, Antike, Carcassonne, Caylus, Cyclades, Formula Dé, Le Havre, Strozzi, Sylla, Tannhäuser, Troyes, Tuchulcha, Yggdrasil, and Ys. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-name-pronunciation-decisions/693034/27 "2014-07-14T22:23:35Z")
One more is comic book publisher Catherine Yronwode (or catherine yronwode). It took me a long time to find out her last name is pronounced Ironwood. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-name-pronunciation-decisions/693034/28 "2014-07-14T22:52:08Z")
I have just finished the 3rd Harry Potter book.I have heard my stepdaughter pronounce the character Hermione’s name as Her-My-Knee many times. As of the ending of the 3rd book, there has never been an explicit pronunciation stated. So I flop back and forth between Her-Me-Own, which is how I guessed the pronunciation should be, and Her-My-Knee. I don’t doubt my stepdaughter’s judgement, and she has seen the movies, but until I myself am directed by either the author or the story, I will waffle. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-name-pronunciation-decisions/693034/29 "2014-07-14T23:07:02Z")
In one of the books, **bobot** , Viktor Krum pronounces it “Her-My-Knee.” And, IIRC, she corrects his pronunciation. Had a friend who actually named his daughter Hermione. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-name-pronunciation-decisions/693034/30 "2014-07-14T23:29:00Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > I have just finished the 3rd Harry Potter book.I have heard my stepdaughter pronounce the character Hermione’s name as Her-My-Knee many times. As of the ending of the 3rd book, there has never been an explicit pronunciation stated. So I flop back and forth between Her-Me-Own, which is how I guessed the pronunciation should be, and Her-My-Knee. > I don’t doubt my stepdaughter’s judgement, and she has seen the movies, but until I myself am directed by either the author or the story, I will waffle. Apparently it’s a not-entirely uncommon British name, and they pronounce it Her-MY-uh-knee. That’s how it’s pronounced in the movies, and [by JK Rowling in interviews](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_l19dLE1kg). ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-name-pronunciation-decisions/693034/31 "2014-07-14T23:30:58Z")
In Jacqueline Lichtenberg’s _House of Zeor_, one of the main characters is named Klyd. I first read the book in junior high, and for many years I pronounced it “Klid.” According to the author, it’s actually pronounced like “Clyde.” I can’t bring myself to do that, though. The character is really cool and my favorite in the series, and to me the name “Clyde,” no matter how it’s spelled, has connotations of redneck guys with missing teeth (no offense to any Dopers named Clyde–it’s my issue, not yours). So he’s always gonna be “Klid” to me. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-name-pronunciation-decisions/693034/32 "2014-07-14T23:32:44Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > In one of the books, **bobot** , Viktor Krum pronounces it “Her-My-Knee.” And, IIRC, she corrects his pronunciation. Had a friend who actually named his daughter Hermione. I thought he called her “Her-mee-own,” and “Herm-oh-ninny.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-name-pronunciation-decisions/693034/33 "2014-07-14T23:42:45Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Argh! This drives me batty. I try to hear it the author’s way, but then I slip back into “my” way and then I hit this literary mental speedbump where I correct myself and yank myself right out of the story, and then eventually I descend to using my version until I put the book down for a bit, at which point it starts all over again. Ditto. > [@dracoi](#): > > For example, there’s a Discworld character named “Teatime” and the book specifically tells you to pronounce it “Te-ah-time-ah” and I refuse to do that. (I suspect most readers do - it’s probably an intentional joke that way.) Absolutely it’s an intentional joke. WC Fields in THE BANK DICK plays Egbert Sousè and constantly says, “Sou-say, with an accent aigu over the e” ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-name-pronunciation-decisions/693034/34 "2014-07-14T23:46:11Z")
> [@Infovore](#): > > I thought he called her “Her-mee-own,” and “Herm-oh-ninny.” 🙂 You’re probably right. It’s been a while since I’ve read them, and I don’t have them handy to check. I did remember the pronunciation that **bobot** being in the book, though. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2014, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-name-pronunciation-decisions/693034/35 "2014-07-15T00:12:42Z")
The “real” Tolkein pronunciations were lost on me when I first read his stuff in high school. When I read explanations of how they were truly pronounced, it still wasn’t “real” in my head, not until the movies created an annoying dissonance after I actually heard it. So, I still tend to read the dragon’s name in my head as “Sm_aw_g,” not “Sm_ow_g.” But I don’t bother with Gandalf, because my mispronunciation is close enough. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2014, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-name-pronunciation-decisions/693034/36 "2014-07-15T00:51:10Z")
I had a high-school drama teacher correct me, but darned if I didn’t prefer “Waiting for Gho-Dott.” ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2014, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-name-pronunciation-decisions/693034/37 "2014-07-15T02:44:40Z")
> [@dracoi](#): > > For example, where you place the accent on Shannara should be a result of some consistent linguistic scheme that other names follow. If it was spelled “Shanarra” I think the incorrect-but-popular pronunciation would be correct. The actual spelling is “Shannara,” so it’s not wrong to pronounce it Terry Brooks’s chosen way, but I think both pronunciations are still reasonable with that spelling. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2014, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-name-pronunciation-decisions/693034/38 "2014-07-15T02:51:21Z")
I will always switch to the author’s way. The author knows best. This has happened a lot with George Martin’s books since _Game of Thrones_ began airing. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2014, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-name-pronunciation-decisions/693034/39 "2014-07-15T02:58:03Z")
Martin has explicitly disavowed any expertise on knowing how the names of his characters should be pronounced. He has said in interviews that he knows nothing about such linguistic matters and trusts the TV producers to come up with the correct pronunciations. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2014, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-name-pronunciation-decisions/693034/40 "2014-07-15T02:59:18Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Martin has explicitly disavowed any expertise on knowing how the names of his characters should be pronounced. He has said in interviews that he knows nothing about such linguistic matters and trusts the TV producers to come up with the correct pronunciations. Still, I’ve adopted the show’s style. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-name-pronunciation-decisions/693034.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-name-pronunciation-decisions/693034.md?page=3)