[WikiEN-l] Fwd: Suggestion: Pronunciation on all names

[Ray Saintonge]

Andrew Gray wrote:
> [This is also the reason why giving dictionary-style definitions for
> normal nouns - "tomato" - would rapidly fall over; too much local
> variation. Names and other proper nouns have a "right" pronunciation
> regardless of where you are, though, so we can get away with it]
Even with local names and proper nouns that's not the case.  In North 
America French names are particularly vulnerable to mangling when they 
are anglicized.  French speakers can only be bemused by the way that 
Americans pronounce the name of the capital of Iowa.

Ec