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Pronunciation Concerns
We found out yesterday that Iris will be getting a little brother! I posted a few weeks ago asking for opinions on Albert vs. Arthur and would like to thank everyone for their responses; you guys gave some great feedback. I still can't decide between the two and DH and I are also still looking at other options. The situation I am facing now is this: I have just realized that my daughter, who is 4, is having trouble with the pronunciation of Arthur because of the "r" and "th" sounds. It comes out sounding like, "Aw-fuh." Granted, she will most likely eventually get over her speech difficulties with speech therapy, but the question I have is this: should the fact that Iris is having trouble pronouncing Arthur now count as a disincentive for us using the name for her little brother?Thanks!
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My grandfather had a good friend whom I always thought was named Otter. He was called Otter 100% of the time, referred to in their small town as "Otter Smith" or "Old Otter." It wasn't until his funeral that I learned his name was really Arthur, and Otter had been given to him by a sibling who couldn't pronounce the name. I thought it was adorable that it ended up a lifelong nickname and that he seemed to like it. Anyway, I wouldn't worry about Aw-fuh. Your daughter will outgrow it, and it will make a cute story someday, as other posters have said. FWIW, though, I prefer Albert, particularly with Iris.
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I don't think you should worry about it. I've heard so many stories of people being unable to say their sibling's names properly when very young. They just get cute family pet names out of it :)
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I don't think that should concern you at all. Very very few people pronounce things in adulthood the way they did when they were two, hahah. Personally I think it's adorable that she says it Aw-fuh! And it gives me just one more reason to prefer Arthur to Albert. :P

This message was edited 3/2/2012, 6:03 AM

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My sons both have problems with C sounds, so my DD is still Talla instead of Calla with them. They will outgrow it as well. We knew this was the case and used it anyway. If you love the name, go for it, it will probably only be a short time and will be cute in the meantime.
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Arthur is so adorable. and quite honestly the idea of your daughter saying it as Aw-fuh is quite cute. Might just be me but I find it adorable when little ones can't quite pronounce their brother or sisters name. My cousin couldnt say Christian it came out as "chitchin" and so he became "Chin". She may well come up for her own special name for him, so don't take it out all together if you love it! Albert is not as nice sounding to me and Iris and Arthur sound delightful!
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My younger brother had some serious speech issues until he was about 8 years old. He called me 'curtain' because he had so much trouble with Kirsten. Now he says my name without issue and my 'curtain' days are just an amusing family store that embarrasses us both right along with the bath tub stories. So I wouldn't let it stop you. If nothing else being able to say her little brother's name properly will motivate her to practice her speech therapy.

This message was edited 3/1/2012, 8:48 PM

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While I don't think your daughter's temporary (adorable) inability to pronounce Arthur should dissuade you from using it, and although Arthur is one of my favorite names, I enjoy Albert much more as a sister to Iris.
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Nah. My son is 4 and still can't say the R in his own name, which is no fun for him, but he'll get over it soon. At least I didn't name him Rory. Does she call herself Iwis? hehe
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I don't think it matters. My 18 month old niece can't pronounce her newborn sister's name yet, but it's not a big deal. She'll learn eventually.
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maybeIf she was only two, say, I would say no, it shouldn't come into play, but since she is older and still having problems with it, maybe it should be a factor.Also, I don't know where you are, but around here Arthur is very commonly mispronounced by adults as Author. That would be enough of a deterrent to put me off the name if I didn't already dislike it.
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