Amy Tan's Blog
July 22, 2015
Mispronouncing words
Have you ever heard someone pronounce a word incorrectly and wondered whether to correct him or her? How about your pronouncing a word a certain way and discovering years later you had been saying it incorrectly (horrors)? How about pronouncing a word a certain way and later thinking you were saying it incorrectly because everyone used a different pronunciation, but then discovering you were right all along?
So here are three examples--one of which I had been saying incorrectly:
Lupine
Homage
Vladimir Nabokov
How do you say those words? Say it aloud and see the correct pronunciation below.
LUPINE: Many say "lu-pin." Merriam Webster says: "lu-pine" ("pine" as in "pine" tree), which is what I have been saying. But the pronunciation is all over the place, depending on which dictionary you consult: http://www.memidex.com/lupine+adjecti...
In other words, say it anyway you want and you're correct. To be able to say it perfectly, however, you should be standing in a field of lupine.
HOMAGE: Many say "Oh-MAJE." which rhymes with French cheese "fromage." Merriam Webster: "HOM-idge," (this is my approximation of MW's phonetic transcription). The French spell it: "hommage," with the stress on the first syllable. I have mispronounced this word as "oh-MAJE" all my adult life. I used to think that people who said "HOM-idge" would be embarrassed to know they had said it incorrectly. Tables turned. Whichever way you say it, it's nice to pay that to certain people important in your life and not just those who are famous.
VLADIMIR: Many say "VLAD-duh-meer." Nabokov said it is pronounced "vlad-DEE-mer," and here I am not using the precise Russian phonology. But as Nabokov explained, "Vladimir" rhymes with "redeemer."
NABOKOV: Many say "NA-buh-coff," with the stress on the first syllable. The correct pronunciation approximates: "Nah-BOH-kav," with that stressed "o" being said in way that is close to "cough," or "caught."
Few people pronounce Vladimir Nabokov's name as he would have wanted. The important thing is whether you love his books enough to refer to them by his name. "Speak, Memory" is a must-read, especially for writers and those who love memoirs.
So here are three examples--one of which I had been saying incorrectly:
Lupine
Homage
Vladimir Nabokov
How do you say those words? Say it aloud and see the correct pronunciation below.
LUPINE: Many say "lu-pin." Merriam Webster says: "lu-pine" ("pine" as in "pine" tree), which is what I have been saying. But the pronunciation is all over the place, depending on which dictionary you consult: http://www.memidex.com/lupine+adjecti...
In other words, say it anyway you want and you're correct. To be able to say it perfectly, however, you should be standing in a field of lupine.
HOMAGE: Many say "Oh-MAJE." which rhymes with French cheese "fromage." Merriam Webster: "HOM-idge," (this is my approximation of MW's phonetic transcription). The French spell it: "hommage," with the stress on the first syllable. I have mispronounced this word as "oh-MAJE" all my adult life. I used to think that people who said "HOM-idge" would be embarrassed to know they had said it incorrectly. Tables turned. Whichever way you say it, it's nice to pay that to certain people important in your life and not just those who are famous.
VLADIMIR: Many say "VLAD-duh-meer." Nabokov said it is pronounced "vlad-DEE-mer," and here I am not using the precise Russian phonology. But as Nabokov explained, "Vladimir" rhymes with "redeemer."
NABOKOV: Many say "NA-buh-coff," with the stress on the first syllable. The correct pronunciation approximates: "Nah-BOH-kav," with that stressed "o" being said in way that is close to "cough," or "caught."
Few people pronounce Vladimir Nabokov's name as he would have wanted. The important thing is whether you love his books enough to refer to them by his name. "Speak, Memory" is a must-read, especially for writers and those who love memoirs.
Prayers for the Living
"Prayers for the Living" is the latest novel of NPR book commentator Alan Cheuse.
And right now Alan needs many of your prayers.
The week before, friends of 20+ years shared a wonderful week with Alan at the annual conference of the Community of Writers at Squaw Valley . On Tuesday, after leaving the board meeting, Alan was in a serious car accident, which was further complicated by a subdural hematoma. He underwent brain surgery and is now in critical condition in the ICU at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. His family is with him.
As a regular NPR book review commentator on "All Things Considered," Alan has been instrumental in letting millions know of the new fiction books that are released each year, including those books by less-well known authors, whose fiction might otherwise have gone unheralded. He is a much-loved professor at George Mason University, a novelist, short story writer, memoirist, and an editor of a book on writing, as well as a workshop leader and board member of the Community of Writers.
We know there are many friends, colleagues, fans, and NPR listeners who want to join in sending healing thoughts, prayers, and love. You can get updates on http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ala...
And right now Alan needs many of your prayers.
The week before, friends of 20+ years shared a wonderful week with Alan at the annual conference of the Community of Writers at Squaw Valley . On Tuesday, after leaving the board meeting, Alan was in a serious car accident, which was further complicated by a subdural hematoma. He underwent brain surgery and is now in critical condition in the ICU at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. His family is with him.
As a regular NPR book review commentator on "All Things Considered," Alan has been instrumental in letting millions know of the new fiction books that are released each year, including those books by less-well known authors, whose fiction might otherwise have gone unheralded. He is a much-loved professor at George Mason University, a novelist, short story writer, memoirist, and an editor of a book on writing, as well as a workshop leader and board member of the Community of Writers.
We know there are many friends, colleagues, fans, and NPR listeners who want to join in sending healing thoughts, prayers, and love. You can get updates on http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ala...
