How do you pronounce... - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Mithalwen · 08-17-2005, 12:32 PM

I always thought that Smeagol and Deagol were Smayagol and Dayagol .. but I have the Tolkien Audio collection and the man himself seems to say Smeegol and Deegol....!!!! I think the BBC radio version should be a fairly accurate guide since CRT advised on pronunciation providing a recording. His reading of the Silmarillion was very helpful.

the guy who be short · 08-17-2005, 12:52 PM

That would probably be the accent on the é in Sméagol misleading people... Seeing as the "correct" sound doesn't exist in modern English, it's not surprising people can't pronounce it!

Mithalwen · 08-17-2005, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the guy who be short

That would probably be the accent on the é in Sméagol misleading people... Seeing as the "correct" sound doesn't exist in modern English, it's not surprising people can't pronounce it!

But If anyone could do it surely Tolkien could if it was what he meant?

wilwarin538 · 08-17-2005, 12:57 PM

I used to be terrible with pronouncing things.

I always pronounced Celeborn and Cirdan, Seleborn and Sirdan. That has been changed though, almost.

The worst for me was Legolas, which I pronounced, League-lis(as in the lis from list). Which is absolutely horrible.

Mithalwen · 08-17-2005, 01:03 PM

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkk

Though I cured myself of Seleborn (with the help of my devotion to the BBC radio series) ... that Cirdan was Kirdan never occurred.... never made the mental jump and have been mentally mispronouncing for years..... may need to lie in a darkened room for a while and have a stiff drink...

Joy · 08-17-2005, 01:25 PM

I guess my worst was Isen/Isengard when I first read the books.

I pronounced them as Ice-n/Ice-n-gard instead of Eye-zen.

I guess I just took a wild guess on Celeborn and Cirdan - I knew it was English and just thought of the Celts, remember that it is pronounced with a K.

When I got to the Sil, it was a bit harder, but reading though the appendicies helped with that.

Mithalwen · 08-17-2005, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joy

I guess my worst was Isen/Isengard when I first read the books.

I pronounced them as Ice-n/Ice-n-gard instead of Eye-zen.

I guess I just took a wild guess on Celeborn and Cirdan - I knew it was English and just thought of the Celts, remember that it is pronounced with a K.

When I got to the Sil, it was a bit harder, but reading though the appendicies helped with that.

Well if that was your worst.. you are doing very well... that seems a relatively fine distinction. I think my main errors on reading (until about 5 minutes ago!!) were Sore-on and Thrandwil...

Joy · 08-17-2005, 01:49 PM

Well, I guess being a language major in college helped some

Mithalwen · 08-17-2005, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joy

Well, I guess being a language major in college helped some

Well so was I but Tolkien was one of the reasons for that - I was very young when I first read LOTR - that is my excuse - University was about a decade away..... but then I still tend to think of misled as mizzled ......seems right some how but I say miss-led...

08-17-2005, 12:32 PM	#1
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	I always thought that Smeagol and Deagol were Smayagol and Dayagol .. but I have the Tolkien Audio collection and the man himself seems to say Smeegol and Deegol....!!!! I think the BBC radio version should be a fairly accurate guide since CRT advised on pronunciation providing a recording. His reading of the Silmarillion was very helpful. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

08-17-2005, 12:57 PM	#4
wilwarin538 Fluttering Enchantment Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 2,508	I used to be terrible with pronouncing things. I always pronounced Celeborn and Cirdan, Seleborn and Sirdan. That has been changed though, almost. The worst for me was Legolas, which I pronounced, League-lis(as in the lis from list). Which is absolutely horrible. __________________ Comme une étoile amarante Comme un papillon de nuit C'est la lumière qui m'attire La flamme qui m'éblouit Fenris Muffin

08-17-2005, 01:03 PM	#5
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkk Though I cured myself of Seleborn (with the help of my devotion to the BBC radio series) ... that Cirdan was Kirdan never occurred.... never made the mental jump and have been mentally mispronouncing for years..... may need to lie in a darkened room for a while and have a stiff drink... __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

08-17-2005, 01:25 PM	#6
Joy Spirit of a Warrior Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wandering Posts: 1,012	I guess my worst was Isen/Isengard when I first read the books. I pronounced them as Ice-n/Ice-n-gard instead of Eye-zen. I guess I just took a wild guess on Celeborn and Cirdan - I knew it was English and just thought of the Celts, remember that it is pronounced with a K. When I got to the Sil, it was a bit harder, but reading though the appendicies helped with that. __________________ God bless, Joy KingdomWarrior@hotmail.com http://kingdomWarrior.jlym.com As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

08-17-2005, 01:49 PM	#8
Joy Spirit of a Warrior Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wandering Posts: 1,012	Well, I guess being a language major in college helped some __________________ God bless, Joy KingdomWarrior@hotmail.com http://kingdomWarrior.jlym.com As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

08-17-2005, 12:52 PM	#2
the guy who be short Shadowed Prince Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Thulcandra Posts: 2,343	That would probably be the accent on the é in Sméagol misleading people... Seeing as the "correct" sound doesn't exist in modern English, it's not surprising people can't pronounce it!

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