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Help[Opinions] Re: Ives (ETA)
in reply to a message by Tiggs
"As I was going to St. Ives, I met a man with seven wives." Ives rhymes with wives, long "i" sound. Singer / actor Burl Ives also pronounced it this way.
Now Yves, I would pronounce with a long "e" sound. But Ives (to me) has a long "i." Before the Great (English) Vowel Shift of the 15th century, Ives (and wives) would have had a long "e" sound. So I use that as a guide.
Just my two cents.
ETA: I remember watching an episode of "Berkley Square" set in turn of the twentieth century London. One of the families had a newborn named Ivo and they pronounced it with a long "i" sound. So that also added to my decision to use a long "i" in Ives.
Now Yves, I would pronounce with a long "e" sound. But Ives (to me) has a long "i." Before the Great (English) Vowel Shift of the 15th century, Ives (and wives) would have had a long "e" sound. So I use that as a guide.
Just my two cents.
ETA: I remember watching an episode of "Berkley Square" set in turn of the twentieth century London. One of the families had a newborn named Ivo and they pronounced it with a long "i" sound. So that also added to my decision to use a long "i" in Ives.
This message was edited 5/31/2011, 3:50 PM
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