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HelpI didn't choose it, I commented on it.
in reply to a message by Ylva
Yes there are "original" and "correct" pronunciations for names.
BUT,the sounds made by letter combinations are definitely subjective to culture and dialect.
Canada and the USA are VERY NEW countries. We are all descendants of immigrants, unless, of course, we are 100% native/aboriginal.
Canada is a mosaic of different cultures, ethnicities, religions.
My grandmother is a war bride from Amsterdam.
My paternal side hails from Austria.
We all "borrow" names from abroad...In fact, I would be really hard pressed to come up with even one "Canadian" name!
While I agree there is an "original" "correct" way to pronounce a name, a person's first language does colour how letters/letter combinations are spoken.
Names do evolve. Just look at this message board!Some people will take an african name and a Dutch name, seal them together and stick a "belle" on the end!
--Though we might not choose these names for our children, HEY, that's what makes us all unique!
--And that is why this is called the OPINIONS board.
OPINIONS are DEFINITELY subjective.
As an English speaking person, it would not be unnatural or foolish of me to assume Soren would be pronounced "SOR EN"
Unless I had some experience with the Scandinavian culture/languages, how would I know otherwise? I see Soren on a baby names list, I interpret it as such. Simple.
SOR EN would be the logical pronunciation because of the substance and sequence of the letters laid out, if interpreted in ENGLISH.
Why did she choose to ask about it?
Because she is interested in the name.
Why should she be interested?
WELL>
perhaps she was inspired by a beautiful novel in which Soren is the main character.
Maybe saw the name on a list and thought it looked interesting. Perhaps she saw it scrawled colourfully on a sign over a child's coat hook in her neice's elementary school and fell in love with it
...who knows!
But, she is entitled to inquire about it, and even use it if she likes.
---She is even entitled to say it sans a scandinavian accent.
(---I think if I chose to give my child a Chinese or Japanese name, I might adapt it in such a way as would eliminate or downplay the nuances of Japanese tone and accent----As an english speaking person, it would sound very VERY odd and awkward for me to actually alter my accent for a few seconds only, when saying a name!---)
It is in that way, names evolve.
She was asking how to pronounce it, I assume, so that she can do it justice.
She obviously desires to pronounce it as it is meant to be heard.
Calm down.
Instead of incredulity, you ought to be feeling pride!
If ever I am blessed with a little girl, her name will be Freyja.
That is not a "Canadian name".It is a STRONG AND BEAUTIFUL WOMAN name, which embodies UNIVERSAL qualities I want associated with my girl.It is a Goddess name with a very romantic tale attached.I love the sound of it, the look of it, and the fact that there won't be ten other little Freyjas in her preschool class.
Hold on.It may be mispronounced...
Should I not be "allowed" to use it?
Cheer up!
;)
BUT,the sounds made by letter combinations are definitely subjective to culture and dialect.
Canada and the USA are VERY NEW countries. We are all descendants of immigrants, unless, of course, we are 100% native/aboriginal.
Canada is a mosaic of different cultures, ethnicities, religions.
My grandmother is a war bride from Amsterdam.
My paternal side hails from Austria.
We all "borrow" names from abroad...In fact, I would be really hard pressed to come up with even one "Canadian" name!
While I agree there is an "original" "correct" way to pronounce a name, a person's first language does colour how letters/letter combinations are spoken.
Names do evolve. Just look at this message board!Some people will take an african name and a Dutch name, seal them together and stick a "belle" on the end!
--Though we might not choose these names for our children, HEY, that's what makes us all unique!
--And that is why this is called the OPINIONS board.
OPINIONS are DEFINITELY subjective.
As an English speaking person, it would not be unnatural or foolish of me to assume Soren would be pronounced "SOR EN"
Unless I had some experience with the Scandinavian culture/languages, how would I know otherwise? I see Soren on a baby names list, I interpret it as such. Simple.
SOR EN would be the logical pronunciation because of the substance and sequence of the letters laid out, if interpreted in ENGLISH.
Why did she choose to ask about it?
Because she is interested in the name.
Why should she be interested?
WELL>
perhaps she was inspired by a beautiful novel in which Soren is the main character.
Maybe saw the name on a list and thought it looked interesting. Perhaps she saw it scrawled colourfully on a sign over a child's coat hook in her neice's elementary school and fell in love with it
...who knows!
But, she is entitled to inquire about it, and even use it if she likes.
---She is even entitled to say it sans a scandinavian accent.
(---I think if I chose to give my child a Chinese or Japanese name, I might adapt it in such a way as would eliminate or downplay the nuances of Japanese tone and accent----As an english speaking person, it would sound very VERY odd and awkward for me to actually alter my accent for a few seconds only, when saying a name!---)
It is in that way, names evolve.
She was asking how to pronounce it, I assume, so that she can do it justice.
She obviously desires to pronounce it as it is meant to be heard.
Calm down.
Instead of incredulity, you ought to be feeling pride!
If ever I am blessed with a little girl, her name will be Freyja.
That is not a "Canadian name".It is a STRONG AND BEAUTIFUL WOMAN name, which embodies UNIVERSAL qualities I want associated with my girl.It is a Goddess name with a very romantic tale attached.I love the sound of it, the look of it, and the fact that there won't be ten other little Freyjas in her preschool class.
Hold on.It may be mispronounced...
Should I not be "allowed" to use it?
Cheer up!
;)
This message was edited 9/29/2005, 11:22 AM
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