Latin pronounciation

[Hugh Wilson]

I might point out that this dynamic will probably come into play (in
the real world) when folks start linking audio files to web-based
checklists.  I don't know of any current sites that carry this
feature but it could be done with no problem, assuming that someone
is both willing and able to read a long list of names.  This type of
open linkage between the written and spoken name opens up - given
prior discussion on this topic - a wide range of interesting
potentials, especially in the general area of regional autonomy vs.
established 'authority'.



On 26 Feb 99 at 8:09, Richard Jensen <rjensen at SAINTMARYS.EDU> wrote:

> Date:          Fri, 26 Feb 1999 08:09:34 -0800
> Reply-to:      Richard Jensen <rjensen at SAINTMARYS.EDU>
> From:          Richard Jensen <rjensen at SAINTMARYS.EDU>
> Organization:  Saint Mary's College
> Subject:       Re: Latin pronounciation
> To:            Multiple recipients of list TAXACOM

> Erast Parmasto wrote:
>
> >
> >
> >    I have never heard any American / Englishman pronounce English
> > correctly, the way it would have been pronounced by Mr. Shakespeare.
> > Moreover, the Latin names pronounced in English (in American?) sound quite
> > differently in Louisiana and Maryland. Maybe, Californian pronounciation is
> > the only correct one? Let us discuss this.
>
> The implication here is that language must not evolve.  Just as word usage
> evoloves, and as new words evolve, I suspect that pronunciation must evolve as
> well.  Who, in today's world, makes any attempt to pronounce English the way
> that Chaucer did?  The important thing is that we use the correct (and
> appropriate) words and pronounce them in a way that avoids ambiguity and
> misunderstanding.  When my family moved from Ohio to middle Tennessee, I had to
> pay careful attention to what was being said - the words were the same, but the
> accents made them sound strange.  These regional dialects are often colorful
> and give language a most interesting diversity.  I have to admit I enjoy
> hearing English spoken by a "cultured" Englishman, but the English spoken by
> his less well-educated countrymen (a la Eliza Dolittle) or by a so-called
> southern gentleman (e.g., Shelby Foote), or by a New England Yankee is no less
> enjoyable.    And, I am always amused by the way many Americans carp about
> those who can't seem to pronounce English while at the same time making a
> complete hash of Spanish, French, German (fill in your favorite language here),
> etc.
>

Hugh D. Wilson
Texas A&M University - Biology
h-wilson at tamu.edu (409-845-3354)
http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/Wilson/homepage.html