New Post
Search
Help
ArchivesRe: This form of Michael also in Germany?
in reply to a message by Satu
It is true: there is no "ë" in the German alphabet. But the "letter" ë does appear in German books, espacially with names (not very often though). It helps get the pronunciation clear, for instance the Aleutes in German are called "Aleuten" which usually would be pronounced as "Ahloyten" but with the ë (as "Alëuten") it must be pronounced as "Ah-leh-uh-ten"
The two dots are called a "Trema" in German (the Greek word meaning "hole" for whatever reason). Few Germans know about this I'm afraid. With Michael there is no danger of mispronunciation so there's no need for an ë!
By the way, MEE-CHA-EL is the original Hebrew pronunciation of the name (at least in modern Hebrew; we don't know much about ancient Hebrew in that respect).
Andy
The two dots are called a "Trema" in German (the Greek word meaning "hole" for whatever reason). Few Germans know about this I'm afraid. With Michael there is no danger of mispronunciation so there's no need for an ë!
By the way, MEE-CHA-EL is the original Hebrew pronunciation of the name (at least in modern Hebrew; we don't know much about ancient Hebrew in that respect).
Andy
1