[HPFGU-OTChatter] How to Pronounce "properly"

[Amanda Lewanski]

Crys Meaker - Domus Ludus wrote:

> My son is named Lapis.  The "proper" pronunciation is with a hard a
> (ahh).Unless he is in deep doo-doo we pronounce it with a soft a <G>.

How else would you pronounce it? That's how lapis is pronounced. Cool
name, by the way. He should have a baby ring with a lapis cabochon.

> Pronunciation changes depending on where you are.

Sort of. Referencing above, "lapis" is a word in the dictionary and
there *is* a right and wrong way. I've found that pronunciation varies
more with how "read" one is,  how long one spent in academia, and how
arcane the word in question is. My reactions to varied pronunciations
are mixed, since I'm anal and like things done correctly, but as a
linguist I am striving to be descriptivist (except in the case of
"nucular" and "real-a-tor," which are Big Ol' Push Buttons for me). My
informal, personal line is that if something is a word in the
dictionary, it should be pronounced the way it's shown. If it's invented
or slang, it can vary. Most of JKR's spells and names fall into the
latter category, which is why I can enjoy the pronunciation debates
without slipping into my "nucular" mode.

>  I ought to know.  I'm a Chicagoan living in Texas <G>.

See, that shows right there that there's something wrong with you. I
didn't move here, I was *born* here, Texas was thrust upon me when I had
no voice in the decision....you *moved* here.

> Crys (who teaches her children that it is pop and NOT soda <G>)

If you live in Texas, my dear, you teacheth your children *wrong.* In
Texas we use "coke" as a eponym, a generic word for all fizzy carbonated
drinks. If someone tells me they want a coke, I ask what kind (Dr.
Pepper, Big Red, Coke itself, etc.). "Pop" is a popsicle or a variety of
music. "Soda" is a wonderful confection made with ice cream.

You gonna live here, you gotta speak the lingo. (If you were in the San
Antonio area, I'd have to enlighten you about ice houses, too--that
usage will get a San Antonio native odd stares in other parts of
*Texas,* even.)

--Amanda


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