PRONUNCIATION OF FOREIGN NAMES

New Zealand Listener, Volume 30, Issue 765, 19 March 1954, Page 5

PRONUNCIATION OF FOREIGN NAMES

Sir,-May I suggest two reasons for compromise in the pronunciation of foreign names interpolated in English speech? First, it is impossible for any but a few people to render foreign _pronunciation ‘in any one language _perfectly, for fewer to do well by ‘more than one or two foreign languages. Who can be adequate in German, Hindustani and_ Australian aboriginal? The second teason ‘is a matter of taste. A foreign word in an English context Can reasonably be expected to differ slightly fron the same word in its native setting, because the mechanics of English speech differ considerably from those of the speech of most other -lan-guages-particularly European . and Maori. Using French as an example: the muscles of lips and tongue, and the vecal cords are used very much more vigorously than is necessary for the production of good English sounds. Even French consonants are ptoperly very much more explosive, resonant or sharp than the English equivalents. Therefore it seems that the sudden intrusion of a perfectly pronounced\ French word in the midst of English speech would be jarring. The whole adjustment of the speech organs must change abruptly twice. The speech ceases to- flow; . the italics are audible. A tactful approximation of the foreign sounds blends better, and. is a feasonable, ‘and sufficiently difficult goal. 5 ; Your correspondents write at length on details such as the proper sound of "Papanui," To attempt this is like trying to define a melody without any system of notation. A system of phonetic symbols, in international use, does exist. It is precise, and extremely useful to seriotis sttidents of any language-their own as well as foreign. Any person knowing both Maori and the. phonetic alphabet ‘could’ render "Papanui" in print simply and definitely. Concentrated study of phonetics is not necessary for everyone, but it might well be made a. basis for a course of

instruction for radio annouficers, who might then be better able to give the rest of us a feasonable pattern to follow.

NAOMI

CHADWICK

(Auckland).

Sir-Elwynne Thomas asks why it is genetally assumed that Esperanto is the only suitable international language, in view of the existence of othef projects, some of which are reviewed, with Esperanto, in Bodmer’s Loom of Language. The answer is simple, Among all these projects, only Esperanto has succeeded in ptactical application. Bodmer reviews. and criticises all the projects, of necessity, from a theoretical and practical point of view. In the practical field, only Esperanto has succeeded in establishing itself over the years, in the form in which it Was first published, to the point where its growing literature includes thousands of books, original and translated, on all subjects, and over a hundred magazines in present publication; it has been taught to sufficient people so that many have toured Europe and elsewhere using only Esperanto; it has been and is being used by several European and other radio stations; some on short wave; and has been for many, the means of obtaining information and knowledge not otherwise easily available. In short, it has something which makes it viable, which is not detectable by a theoretical and logical analysis.

DAVID

MACGILL

(Heretaunga).