Pronunciation Dialogue

[Robin Leech]

In 1957/58, I was on an expedition to Africa with Ed Ross (Cal. Acad.) to collect insects and other critters.  While there, we met Pierre Basilewski, whose schooling involved classic Latin and Greek.

At one point, he mentioned - and I will try to give his pronunciation as best I can - the family KAY-RAM BEEKEE - DAY.  I recall that Ed and I looked at one another as in, "What the hell is that?"

A few moments later, a long-horned beetle flew by and I caught it.  Basilewski said, "Ah, there is one!"

I grew up knowing them as SERAM - BISI - DEE, as I am sure most others in North America have done.

So, as Freek Vrugtman said of pronunciation by Muntz, "It all depends on where I am!"

Robin Leech