Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-31
PRONUNCIATION IN ENGLAND.
A Few Reasons Why Stranger Over
There Should Take to the Woods.

From Tit-Bits.
We usually laugh at the foreigners eff
forts to master the pronunciation of our
mother tongue, but most of us are not with
out doubt when we come to pronounce GER
tain proper nouns. Any number of sur
names and geogra phical names receive as
many as four different renderings and it
is quite possible to persuade any one
tat his or her way is not the correct one.
Some surnames are SO maltreated as to be
quite unrecognizable from the spelling. No
wonder the average individual finds an
English dictionary indispensable.
Probably the most remarkable quartet
are Colouhoun, Marjoribanks Cholmonde-
ley and Bagehot. They look much less i'm
pressive when spelled as pronounced-Co-
hoon, Marshbanks. Chumley and Bajot.
Phonetic spelling deprives many names of
their terrors That awful name Geoghegan
would become simply Gagan; Ruthven
would be Riven, and Cockburn Koburn.
Some people are much annoyed If they
are not addressed in their own special way.
Mr.. st. John likes to be called Sinjin. but as
a geographical term he does not mind you
saying Saint John. Anstruther is doubt
full. but often shortens into Anster. The
Macs" also are very susceptible regarding
their surnames. If you want to be friends
with Mcleod and Maclean, call them Max
loud and Maklane land If you have inten-
tons regarding Mr.. Strachan's daughter,
don't call him Strakan If you value your
chances but Strawn. Following these good
intentions. you must allress Beauclerk as
Beauclare ana Beauvoir as Beever.
In case you ever move in ambassadoria1
circles or make friends on the Riviera,
don't forget the Baron de Longueville is
called Loneveal. NJ. st. Cyr will answer
you If you say Sanseer, and Strous would
be good rendering Of the name of the
eminent composer Of waltzes. Markyar-
velee will be as near as YOU can get to
Machiavelli, but possibly you may be able
to avoid this distinguished parsonage.
A couple Of Saints" are rather puZzling.
st. Clark should be rendered Sinclair, and
If you would win a smile of approval, pro.
nounce st. Leger Sellinger or Selleger.
There is no need to look up Beauchamp;
it is merely playful rendering of the IA
nous maker OF pills. Duchesne has such
an aweinspiring appearance 1t is pity We
must pronounce 1t Dukarn. Heathcote is
shortened into Hethcut. and Dillwyn has
quite an Irish flavor when pronounced Dill
lon. :
Desquesnes is not so difficult as 1t looks
Dekane would pass muster, and you may
also come across Dekann. Regarding Char
teris and Sandys, you will win approval
in high society if you stick to Charters and
Sands; and those individuals known as
Jervis, Berkeley and Derby like to hear the
first sc" turned into "ah." Why. it Is
difficult to say.
Spare Welshmans feelings by saying
Aberganny, and not Abergavenny, and, il
possible. don't attempt to pronounce
Amiwch If you are English. 1t is beyond
you. fairly successful way is to start
with "Am" and leave the rests to luck
If you are going to Dolgelly for your holi-
days. ask for a ticket to Dolgethly; and If
you are cyclist, don't inquire the way to
Llanelly. If you co, you will probably never
get there. The rustic would 'bite" at Liam
ethly, however.
Don't think Of some dimunitive maiden