Ay-o-whin? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Anunia · 08-07-2002, 02:20 AM

I have the same problem since I read for the first time LoTR... Now I looked in the Encyclopedia of Arda... Here's what it says about this...

ÉOMER
Pronunciation: earme'r

Notes
1 The first syllable of Éomer's name is pronounced approximately like the English word 'ear'.
1 The éo- element of Éomer's name is surely 'horse', but -mer is less certain. It is most likely derived from Old English maer, meaning 'famous, glorious, heroic'.

ÉOWYN
Pronunciation: Approximately 'earw'in'

Notes
1 The diphthong éo is effectively extinct in English, and pronunciation is doubly difficult since Tolkien's example, the name Theobald, is also rare. The vowel-sound of the word 'ear' comes close to the correct pronunciation.

Theobald, incidentally, is a real Old English name, of the kind that might have been used by the Rohirrim, though they would likely have rendered it Théodbold. It combines the elements théod 'people' and bald 'bold'.

08-07-2002, 02:20 AM	#4
Anunia Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rivendell Posts: 60	I have the same problem since I read for the first time LoTR... Now I looked in the Encyclopedia of Arda... Here's what it says about this... ÉOMER Pronunciation: earme'r Notes 1 The first syllable of Éomer's name is pronounced approximately like the English word 'ear'. 1 The éo- element of Éomer's name is surely 'horse', but -mer is less certain. It is most likely derived from Old English maer, meaning 'famous, glorious, heroic'. ÉOWYN Pronunciation: Approximately 'earw'in' Notes 1 The diphthong éo is effectively extinct in English, and pronunciation is doubly difficult since Tolkien's example, the name Theobald, is also rare. The vowel-sound of the word 'ear' comes close to the correct pronunciation. Theobald, incidentally, is a real Old English name, of the kind that might have been used by the Rohirrim, though they would likely have rendered it Théodbold. It combines the elements théod 'people' and bald 'bold'. __________________ Flowers are the alphabet of angels, whereby they write on the hills and fields mysterious truths. Dream the impossible, because dreams do come true.