How to pronounce the surname Tzou?

[jjimm]

@Reply

I presume you missed my second post agreeing with you?

I did.

However, as for the “never pronounced like it looks to an English speaker” part, I have to disagree. The name game can get tedious for some immigrants or their descendants and sometimes it’s easier for them to just assume the American pronunciation even if it isn’t technically accurate. The woman may or may not feel any particular attachment to the “authentic” pronunciation, especially if she was born in America.

And again I erred - my Ellis Island comment was meant to clarify that an Nth generation immigrant to the US could pronounce it in any number of Americanised ways. But I missed the mark by using the word “never” with respect to ‘authentic’ pronunciation.