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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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Replies
I think you're right that most would pronounce with the long "i". I could swear I've heard Yves pronounced with the "s", but this site shows "EEV" as the proper way to say it.
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Ah, could be. Thanks.
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I'm dating myself, but 50's / 60's French actor Yves Montand (sp?) was well enough known in English speaking countries that his pronunciation ("eev") is what is generally used. That's just a personal theory. I have no idea how it would have generally been pronounced before then. But I think I'm safe in saying that he has influenced the pronunciation since then.
It wouldn't surprise me if there are those who still say, "eevz" for Yves.
It wouldn't surprise me if there are those who still say, "eevz" for Yves.
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