New Post
Search
Help
ArchivesRe: Etymologica update - PSI +question
in reply to a message by Pavlos
Fun! I have a question--are all the names that start with Ps- pronounced with an S sound, like Psyche?
Thanks!
Thanks!
This message was edited 1/4/2008, 8:47 PM
1
Replies
That wold be the case in English, where the "p" in "ps" is completely silent: psychology is pretty mouch pronounce as sychology.
In Greek, however, the letter Ø (PSI) had a sound distinct from "s": the "p" in "ps" in lot at all silent...think of the sound "psss" where "p" is audible. I just cannot think of an English wor with that sound!
In Greek, however, the letter Ø (PSI) had a sound distinct from "s": the "p" in "ps" in lot at all silent...think of the sound "psss" where "p" is audible. I just cannot think of an English wor with that sound!
1
How about 'ups' without the 'u' :D
Nice to see that you're working on your site again. I guess the holidays gave you some extra time?
One question about the names on the site: Are those names still used or are they mostly ancient names?
One other question: Phyche is listed twice, with different accents, what is the difference between the forms? Is there a pron difference?
Okay, one more question: How is the X (chi) proncounced? In Ancient Greek class we said the Dutch G (KH) sound to it, but it seems a bit unlikely that that is the sound that was actually used. So what was the sound that was most likely used (in Ancient Greek and Modern Greek if there's a difference)?
Nice to see that you're working on your site again. I guess the holidays gave you some extra time?
One question about the names on the site: Are those names still used or are they mostly ancient names?
One other question: Phyche is listed twice, with different accents, what is the difference between the forms? Is there a pron difference?
Okay, one more question: How is the X (chi) proncounced? In Ancient Greek class we said the Dutch G (KH) sound to it, but it seems a bit unlikely that that is the sound that was actually used. So what was the sound that was most likely used (in Ancient Greek and Modern Greek if there's a difference)?
1
Well, I would say that a very small number of these names are still used, although it is becoming very popular for Greeks to resurrect old names for their kids -- hey, I named my kids Nephele and Telemachos :)
The difference between the two Psyches is on syllable that is accented; the one accented in the first syllable is *very* obsure, although there is evidence of its use.
As for the pronounciation of chi, it may be approximated by the sound of "h" in the word "house" :) It is not as harsh as the Scottish "och". Chances are this was also the way it was pronounced by ancient Greeks, but nobody is sure of that :)
Cheers,
P
The difference between the two Psyches is on syllable that is accented; the one accented in the first syllable is *very* obsure, although there is evidence of its use.
As for the pronounciation of chi, it may be approximated by the sound of "h" in the word "house" :) It is not as harsh as the Scottish "och". Chances are this was also the way it was pronounced by ancient Greeks, but nobody is sure of that :)
Cheers,
P
1