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Help[Opinions] Re: Louis Pronunciation Problem - What to do? (edited)
in reply to a message by AngieAngelique
I actually don't think it would be too hard to get Americans to pronounce Louis LE-WEE, because Louie, pronounced LE-WEE, is a fairly common nickname for Louis that Americans are used to, and they wouldn't even think of the fact that they were actually saying, "Louis" and not "Louie."
Where did you read or hear that the LEW-IS pronunciation for Louis is incorrect? There must be thousands of American Louis's out there who pronounce their name that way. They don't think it's incorrect, nor did their parents. I think the LEW-IS pronunciation is like the word "hopefully", which some think is misused if it's used to mean, "It is to be hoped." If it's common enough and accepted enough, then it eventually it becomes correct. Words can change meanings, and names can change pronunciation. And putting an American accent or pronunciation on something doesn't automatically make it a bastardization.
I just thought of something---the name Maurice. Americans pronounce this the French way, MOR-EES. But don't the British pronounce it as Morris? I think they do, because I know that's how Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees pronounced it--who was Australian, I know, but was born in England of British parents. So in this case, the situation is reversed. But I wouldn't say that the British pronunciation is incorrect, or that they are bastardizing it. It's just the British pronunciation.
Where did you read or hear that the LEW-IS pronunciation for Louis is incorrect? There must be thousands of American Louis's out there who pronounce their name that way. They don't think it's incorrect, nor did their parents. I think the LEW-IS pronunciation is like the word "hopefully", which some think is misused if it's used to mean, "It is to be hoped." If it's common enough and accepted enough, then it eventually it becomes correct. Words can change meanings, and names can change pronunciation. And putting an American accent or pronunciation on something doesn't automatically make it a bastardization.
I just thought of something---the name Maurice. Americans pronounce this the French way, MOR-EES. But don't the British pronounce it as Morris? I think they do, because I know that's how Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees pronounced it--who was Australian, I know, but was born in England of British parents. So in this case, the situation is reversed. But I wouldn't say that the British pronunciation is incorrect, or that they are bastardizing it. It's just the British pronunciation.
This message was edited 10/7/2008, 7:04 AM
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