[HPforGrownups] pronunciation help: Draco

[Simon Biber]

No: HPFGUIDX 11355

> I received a feedback to the Lexicon from someone who questioned what
> I put for Draco's name on the Pronunciation Page of the Lexicon. I
> used DRAY-ko, which is the way my American mouth says it and the way
> Jim Dale says it on the tapes. That just sounds right to me. This
> person suggested that since it's from Latin, it should be pronounced
> DRAH-ko. Granted, it would be /ah/ in Latin (the word draconis would
> be pronounced drah-KO-nus), but DRAH-ko just sounds weird to me. Is
> my American bias showing or what here? Help me out...

I agree that the Latin would be pronounced DRAH-ko. I'm one of these people
who pronounces Caesar KAI-sar and Caecilius kai-KI-li-us. Nevertheless, I
would say Draco Malfoy as DRAH-ko. Am I any help?

Simon.