[Opinions] Marieken/Mariken
For native English speakers amongst you: which spelling of this name would sound like Maaree-kuhn: Marieken or Mariken (or neither)? We have this Dutch name on our list for number three, but live in an English speaking country. We would like to use a spelling that causes least problems with the pronounciation. My own guess would be Marieken, as Marie is pronounced as Maaree, but what do you make of it?
Replies
At first glance I pronounced it muh-REE-kin (same as you).
I am from the Netherlands, and frankly, both Marieken and Mariken (especially the latter) are old-fashioned variants of the much more modern name Marieke. That said, I think I like Mariken best, and think it would be easiest for non-Dutch people to pronounce. It's also the name of Mariken van Nieumeghen (modern Dutch: Marieke van Nijmegen), the lead character of a well-known 16th century Dutch play. :)
Weet ik! Ik vroeg mij alleen af welke schrijfwijze de uitspraak het meest op de Nederlandse zou laten lijken!
;) Ik wist niet dat je Nederlands was (vermoedde het wel, natuurlijk), maar stiekem vind ik het toch wel jammer dat je niet gewoon een Engelse was die een Nederlandse naam had ontdekt. ;)