How do you pronounce in English?

[Jaguares]

Hi lads, in this thread you are going to help me improve my English pronunciation. Let's start with rugby words, names or surnames rugby players because this is a rugby forum. Then.

Henry Speight. How do you pronounce "Speight"?

Like Henry "Space"?

or

Like Henry "S-Pie"?

 

[ratsapprentice]

Speight sounds like Ate, Hate or Eight (8).

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

its pronounced like Eight but with Sp at the front, so like Henry 'Sp-Eight', I think, if I'm wrong then I did win the Dubya award for no reason. Unfortunately

 

[Jaguares]

Thanks lads! And what about Will Genia? GENIA

Is like Will "Kenya"

or

is like Will "Gin"?

 

[ratsapprentice]

More like Kenya, a hard "G" like in Agulla.

But "ee-ah" instead of "yah"

 

[Jaguares]

More like Kenya, a hard "G" like in Agulla.

But "ee-ah" instead of "yah"

Is it pronounced as Spanish?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Is it pronounced as Spanish?

Nah, in Spanish the 'G' would said like a 'H'. It's a hard G.

Genn - Ee - Ah.
Genny-A!

 

[Tony Manx]

Nah, in Spanish the 'G' would said like a 'H'. It's a hard G.

Genn - Ee - Ah.
Genny-A!

Thought it was a J that sounded like an H in Spanish? Certainly the town of Jalon is pronounced "Halon" as my parents used to live there.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Thought it was a J that sounded like an H in Spanish? Certainly the town of Jalon is pronounced "Halon" as my parents used to live there.

Whoops, you're right!
My old Spanish teacher would be mortified :lol:

 

[goodNumber10]

My old Spanish teacher would be mortified :lol:

Middle Class post of the day!

 

[Jaguares]

Nah, in Spanish the 'G' would said like a 'H'. It's a hard G.

Genn - Ee - Ah.
Genny-A!

In Spanish the H is silent, no sound...

 

[Big Ewis]

Middle Class post of the day!

mmmmyezzz !!!...meh meh meh meh !

 

[InsaneAsylum]

Henry Speight sounds like "G'day Mate"

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Nah, in Spanish the 'G' would said like a 'H'. It's a hard G.

Genn - Ee - Ah.
Genny-A!

Does anyone know how Genia himself pronounces his last name?

I've always said 'Gen-ee-ya' but the odd commentator from Oz says 'Jen-ee-ya'. Now I know the Australian commentators butcher foreign names all the time, but I figure they should be somewhat aware of how to pronounce their local players' names.

 

[Big Ewis]

Henry Speight sounds like "G'day Mate"

that he does..

 

[Jaguares]

Does anyone know how Genia himself pronounces his last name?

I've always said 'Gen-ee-ya' but the odd commentator from Oz says 'Jen-ee-ya'. Now I know the Australian commentators butcher foreign names all the time, but I figure they should be somewhat aware of how to pronounce their local players' names.

The pronunciation of Aussie English is different than British English and American English, right?

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

The pronunciation of Aussie English is different than British English and American English, right?

Yes and no. Different accents mean pronunciation can differ from country to country. I think the Americans actively seek to pronounce things differently (because America), but by and large any differences between NZ/AU and England are to do with general vocal tones. NZ 'English' is probably the closest tone to English 'English'. Kiwis say Auck-lind, Aussies say Auck-land.

Regardless, there shouldn't be such massive differences as converting a soft 'g' to a hard 'g'.

 

[InsaneAsylum]

Yes and no. Different accents mean pronunciation can differ from country to country. I think the Americans actively seek to pronounce things differently (because America), but by and large any differences between NZ/AU and England are to do with general vocal tones. NZ 'English' is probably the closest tone to English 'English'. Kiwis say Auck-lind, Aussies say Auck-land.

Regardless, there shouldn't be such massive differences as converting a soft 'g' to a hard 'g'.

you're right, the difference between england, nz, and aus is mainly tone. also people from adelaide sound more like kiwis/british than the rest of australia does. i'm not sure if it's true but I was told that adelaide's settlement wasn't a convict settlement. neither was new zealand's so perhaps there is some truth in that.

 

[LittleGuy]

Yes and no. Different accents mean pronunciation can differ from country to country. I think the Americans actively seek to pronounce things differently (because America), but by and large any differences between NZ/AU and England are to do with general vocal tones. NZ 'English' is probably the closest tone to English 'English'. Kiwis say Auck-lind, Aussies say Auck-land.

Regardless, there shouldn't be such massive differences as converting a soft 'g' to a hard 'g'.

Most historians believe that North American accents are actually much closer to how English was spoken in the past than modern day English ones. For instance the non-Rhotic accents (lack of r's) actually is post colonial and originated from England. I think you've got it backwards.

 

[Draggs]

Most historians believe that North American accents are actually much closer to how English was spoken in the past than modern day English ones. For instance the non-Rhotic accents (lack of r's) actually is post colonial and originated from England. I think you've got it backwards.

That claim is made quite often, but not really true. Consider the breadth of 'American' and 'British' accents.
In reality, both have seen great changes and none are really 'closer' to the past language, as it has always been changing. Living conditions, culture changes, etc all contribute to this. The United States saw huge immigration from dozens of countries, all contributing to the accent.