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HelpI have close friends / clients who are Vietnamese. Some of them have these names (m)
in reply to a message by Sabrina Fair
When pronouncing Vietnamese names, it is helpful to remember that the French transliterated the original Vietnamese script. Therefore, when you see in "i," for example, it is pronounced "ee," the way the French would. Some of the markings I am familiar with, but you should double check a Vietnamese dictionary.
I have heard these names in Vietnamese:
Binh -- "bin"
Hue -- "hway" (There is an accent going up over the "e")
Lien -- "LEE-un," the "l" is palatalized which means you place your tongue on the roof of your mouth, the palate, when saying the name. It's closer to one syllable than two, but "leen" would be incorrect. Think of saying the English word lien, as in a mechanic's lien / judgement, but with the palatalized "l." (There is a "^" over the "e.") I know 2 Lien's, one is very close to me.
Mai -- "mie," exactly like the possessive word "my" in English (My Wild Irish Rose)
Nguyet -- I've never heard this one. But I know the name Nguyen is pronounced "nwin." So I would guess, "nwit."
Phuong -- "foong." The "oo" is said like the word "fool." This must be a popular name as I have heard it many times in the Vietnamese community.
Thi -- I want to guess this is pornounced "tee," but I'm not sure.
Tien -- Rhymes with Lien. (I'm not sure about the markings.)
Tu -- "too"
Tuyet -- Not sure.
Xuan -- Exactly like the English word "swan." I adore this name.
Yen -- Not sure, but you couldn't go too wrong guessing it as "yen."
I have heard these names in Vietnamese:
Binh -- "bin"
Hue -- "hway" (There is an accent going up over the "e")
Lien -- "LEE-un," the "l" is palatalized which means you place your tongue on the roof of your mouth, the palate, when saying the name. It's closer to one syllable than two, but "leen" would be incorrect. Think of saying the English word lien, as in a mechanic's lien / judgement, but with the palatalized "l." (There is a "^" over the "e.") I know 2 Lien's, one is very close to me.
Mai -- "mie," exactly like the possessive word "my" in English (My Wild Irish Rose)
Nguyet -- I've never heard this one. But I know the name Nguyen is pronounced "nwin." So I would guess, "nwit."
Phuong -- "foong." The "oo" is said like the word "fool." This must be a popular name as I have heard it many times in the Vietnamese community.
Thi -- I want to guess this is pornounced "tee," but I'm not sure.
Tien -- Rhymes with Lien. (I'm not sure about the markings.)
Tu -- "too"
Tuyet -- Not sure.
Xuan -- Exactly like the English word "swan." I adore this name.
Yen -- Not sure, but you couldn't go too wrong guessing it as "yen."
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