Message: "How do you say Ottilie?"

How do you say Ottilie?

by Antique_Cherub

10/15/2009, 10:28 AM

I really like the look of Ottilie but I want to be sure I'm saying it right...
Its a female German name BTW.

Thanks!

Replies

- JHK +4

10/15/2009, 11:26 AM

In German Ottilie is either pronounced o-TEE-lee-ə or o-TEEL-yə.

This message was edited 10/15/2009, 11:27 AM

- Annemarie (guest) +1

10/16/2009, 7:14 AM

I know in Dutch it's problably pronounced: o-til-LEE

- JHK

10/16/2009, 8:41 AM

You may be right about that. o-til-LEE would be the French pronunciation and if I'm not mistaken the Dutch sometimes use French pronunciations as they do use some French names (like Anouk, Fleur & Manon).

This message was edited 10/16/2009, 8:47 AM

- Antique_Cherub +1

10/15/2009, 11:41 AM

Thanks! o-TEEL-ya is pretty.

If I liked it said this way should I spell it Ottilia?

Or would it be better to say it o-TEEL-lee-a?

This message was edited 10/15/2009, 11:45 AM

- JHK

10/15/2009, 2:25 PM

Just like Ottilie, Ottilia has two pronunciations depending on how quickly or clearly it is pronounced. Both o-TEEL-yah and o-TEE-lee-ah are correct pronunciations of Ottilia. However, you really have to watch the final letter here because in German there is a pretty big difference between a final E and a final A. While the final E of Ottilie is pronounced as the neutral vowel 'ə', the final A of Ottilia is pronounced as a clear 'ah' sound which kind of resembles the way a person with a strong British accent pronounces the letter A in the word "dancing". So yes, If you'd like it pronounced o-TEEL-yah or o-TEE-lee-ah you would have to spell it Ottilia.
Now I hope I didn't confuse you...

This message was edited 10/15/2009, 2:38 PM

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