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ArchivesRe: Sophia
in reply to a message by Kitty
British English has always used the eye sound for Sophia, and for centuries also for the i in Maria. Now it's Mar-ee-a as in Spanish and Italian etc. Call it the continental pronunciation. They still put the eye in Sophia, however.
In the USA, partly because of the long history of immigrants arriving from Europe, partly because of Spanish-speaking nations next door, they use so-FEE-a for Sophia. And this is correct for them, though surprising to English ears.
I know a woman with a Sophia daughter who has red hair; her family nickname is Fire, which is pleasingly ambiguous! They speak British English.
In the USA, partly because of the long history of immigrants arriving from Europe, partly because of Spanish-speaking nations next door, they use so-FEE-a for Sophia. And this is correct for them, though surprising to English ears.
I know a woman with a Sophia daughter who has red hair; her family nickname is Fire, which is pleasingly ambiguous! They speak British English.
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