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I prefer vee-OH-la, and I much prefer it to Violet! Violet seems droopy and wilting. Viola has sparkle and vivacity, but if it's pronounced vy-OH-la like the musical instrument it puts me right off.

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Once I taught a Viola with a beautiful, tragic face like a West African mask. All the Art students wanted to paint her! She was a very cheerful, lively child who played the drums, and the triple contrast of her personality, her appearance and her name delighted me.