Re: OT Van Gogh (was: Yogh in the news)

On 16/01/06, R A Brown <ray@...> wrote:
>
> Mark J. Reed wrote:
>
> > Is Van Gogh's name really pronounced /gQf/ in the UK?
>
> Yes, really & truly (one also hears /gQx/, but that is not so common).
>
> The usual
> > American pronunciation is roughly  [v&n goU], with long O and the -gh
> > completely silent.
>
> That would not be readily understood here this side of the Pond.
>
>
Both pronunciations seem to be current here in Ireland. Probably /gQf/ is
considered the 'correct' form, and '/goU/' a sloppier version. But to my
organs of articulation, /gQf/ (or in any case any variant in -[f]) is rather
marked as being an 'odd British form'. But I've never been too happy with
/goU/, so henceforth I'll endavour /xox/.

My €0.02 will be donated to a worthy cause to make reparations for the
YAEPTing comment.

--
Work is of two kinds: first, altering the position of      Stephen Mulraney
matter at or near the earth's surface relative           ataltane@gmail.com
to other matter; second, telling other people
to do so.                   --  Bertrand Russell