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HelpRe: Zosia
in reply to a message by Story
As a Polish name it's pronounced ZOH-shuh, I believe, and it's a nickname for Zofia. If you were to pronounce it ZOH-see-uh (or even zoh-SEE-uh)... it wouldn't sound terrible, but you would definitely confuse Eastern Europeans.
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I think it's pronounced more like ZAW-sha, although I'm not an expert on Polish pronunciation, that's what the site says and how I've heard it pronounced in reference to actress Zosia Mamet.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u7ieWhUcwc It's revenge for schwa.
From the reasonable English pronunciations I prefer Zo-see-a, even if it's somewhat "more wrong", it's more pleasant sounding than Zo-sha which is crinkly.
Anyway, I wouldn't think the spelling would be that strange to English speakers, after all Marcia with the Mar-sha pronunciation exists.
From the reasonable English pronunciations I prefer Zo-see-a, even if it's somewhat "more wrong", it's more pleasant sounding than Zo-sha which is crinkly.
Anyway, I wouldn't think the spelling would be that strange to English speakers, after all Marcia with the Mar-sha pronunciation exists.
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Huh, thanks for the clip. She was speaking to someone from Russia in the video, so the pronunciation may still be a little different from the Polish. Also, she seems to pronounce it with a more American accent, when I have a feeling the Polish pronunciation lies somewhere between "ZAH-sha" and "ZOH-sha," so either one is close enough in my mind. I'll have to ask my neighbor down the street from Poland how exactly he pronounces it.
I like the supposed Polish pronunciation best, but as far as English approximations, I'm fine with ZOH-sha.
I think pronouncing it as ZOH-see-a is fine for a middle, but I think that would be a point of confusion if used as a first name.
I like the supposed Polish pronunciation best, but as far as English approximations, I'm fine with ZOH-sha.
I think pronouncing it as ZOH-see-a is fine for a middle, but I think that would be a point of confusion if used as a first name.
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The vowel barely makes a difference to my Polish ears. It's the "sha". Most English speakers don't palatalise it enough. "Sha" isn't very far off from Polish but it just gives the name a completely different vibe to me, from sweet and cutesy it becomes harsh and unapproachable. As far as I can tell, in Russian it's a palatalised "s" which I think would be even more noticeable of a difference, which would explain why a Russian person would find the English pronunciation especially strange.
I think pronouncing Zosia (Зося) as Zo-see-a would follow the pattern of Nadia (Надя) so I think it should be no more confusing than Zo-sha.
Which just made me wonder... can someone tell me how many syllables there are in Katya in English? I'd always thought the spelling suggested two but it's analogous to Nadia in Russian and Nadia did get the additional split �
I think pronouncing Zosia (Зося) as Zo-see-a would follow the pattern of Nadia (Надя) so I think it should be no more confusing than Zo-sha.
Which just made me wonder... can someone tell me how many syllables there are in Katya in English? I'd always thought the spelling suggested two but it's analogous to Nadia in Russian and Nadia did get the additional split �
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Sorry, I didn't realize you were Polish. Thanks for the info!
I think most American English speakers would use a brisk three: KAHT-ee-ya. I suspect the two-syllable pronunciation might be a bit more likely among British English speakers since they enunciate their T's more. For an American speaker, this two-syllable transition could be more difficult, but it could be two or three depending on the person.
ETA: Oh and I meant choosing a ZOH-see-uh pronunciation might be confusing if you encounter a Slavic person, not for Americans, but good to know it can be considered an acceptable pronunciation. Marcia and Alicia are good analogies. Although I would suspect someone who chose to have their names pronounced with an "s" vs. an "sh" was of Spanish descent or something.
I think most American English speakers would use a brisk three: KAHT-ee-ya. I suspect the two-syllable pronunciation might be a bit more likely among British English speakers since they enunciate their T's more. For an American speaker, this two-syllable transition could be more difficult, but it could be two or three depending on the person.
ETA: Oh and I meant choosing a ZOH-see-uh pronunciation might be confusing if you encounter a Slavic person, not for Americans, but good to know it can be considered an acceptable pronunciation. Marcia and Alicia are good analogies. Although I would suspect someone who chose to have their names pronounced with an "s" vs. an "sh" was of Spanish descent or something.
This message was edited 4/1/2021, 9:31 AM
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