What is the correct pronunciation of the Dutch name “Nuitjen”?
Need answer fast!!
Are you sure it isn’t “Nuijten”? That is pronounced kind of like a cross between “Noyten” and “Nighten”. But if it is Nuitjen, then it could be a several-generations-back immigrant name that might well have been mangled at Ellis Island or wherever, and could be pronounced any old how.
ETA: you can hear it here (I have no sound on this PC so don’t know how accurate my stab above was…)
I think you’re right, it is “Nuijten”
Thanks!
According to a very experienced and exasperated researcher on the staff of the Ellis Island foundation, NO names were ever changed and only a tiny percentage of names were erroneously recorded at immigration entry points. The trope of immigration officers arbitrarily changing, simplifying or assigning names is 100% bunkum. It was difficult for an immigrant to change their own name at that point, either, because the laws, the rules and the bureaucracy were not amenable to someone just making up a new name on entry.
MANY immigrants later changed their names, when they found out how much of a handicap a difficult or stereotyped name was with respect to assimilation. Many of these later vaguely blamed it on immigration officials out of embarrassment. But it’s not true. It’s just a damnably persistent and durable trope.
You mean sort of likethis? (“The Honeymooners,” at 1:13)