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ArchivesTwo questions (don't have ot answer both)
The first is about the Arthurian character Sir Kai:
I've seen his name spelled Kai, Kay, and Cei. I'm assuming it has also been spelled Cai, Cay, Kei, etc. Is any one spelling "more" legit than the others? Which spelling is the oldest?
The second question is about the spelling "Keffyn". I've seen it on a real person before and was told it was Welsh. Is this spelling legit?
I've seen his name spelled Kai, Kay, and Cei. I'm assuming it has also been spelled Cai, Cay, Kei, etc. Is any one spelling "more" legit than the others? Which spelling is the oldest?
The second question is about the spelling "Keffyn". I've seen it on a real person before and was told it was Welsh. Is this spelling legit?
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Replies
Cai is the modern spelling, Kai is the oldest spelling. Written Welsh hasn't used the letter K for about 400 years, but used to (there's a note on a probable reason why here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_orthography).
The Welsh version of Kevin is spelt 'Cefin' and pronounced exactly like Kevin, as a single f in Welsh is pronounced like v in English. 'Keffyn' isn't a Welsh spelling as in Welsh it would be pronounced KEF-in, and, as I've said, Ks aren't used in modern Welsh except in foreign loan-words.
The Welsh version of Kevin is spelt 'Cefin' and pronounced exactly like Kevin, as a single f in Welsh is pronounced like v in English. 'Keffyn' isn't a Welsh spelling as in Welsh it would be pronounced KEF-in, and, as I've said, Ks aren't used in modern Welsh except in foreign loan-words.
This message was edited 5/10/2010, 4:37 AM
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From this site:
KAY (2)
Gender: Masculine
Usage: Welsh Mythology
From the Welsh name Cai or Cei, possibly a form of the Roman name GAIUS. Sir Kay was one of the knights of the Round Table in Arthurian legend.
So, it looks like Cai or Cei is the original spelling.
KAY (2)
Gender: Masculine
Usage: Welsh Mythology
From the Welsh name Cai or Cei, possibly a form of the Roman name GAIUS. Sir Kay was one of the knights of the Round Table in Arthurian legend.
So, it looks like Cai or Cei is the original spelling.
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