Klarinet Archive - Posting 000294.txt from 2000/08

From: Spikus Spiegelus <jnohe@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Lacy`s London experiences
Date: Sun, 13 Aug 2000 03:40:50 -0400

On Sat, 12 Aug 2000, Jennifer Jones wrote:

> That one has me baffled. I've always heard it pronounced "Rafe"
> Vau... Does anyone know why that is? My guess it has something to do
> with his nationality, but I don't know what language would suggest that
> pronunciation.

It is pronounced that way because it is pronounced that way. Yes, you can
lend some of it to nationality, as in Britain, the common way to pronounce
Ralph is "rayf." Stateside, it is more common to hear it as "ralf." But
he's Rayf no matter where he goes - a fine modern example is the British
actor Ralph Fiennes (The Avengers, Legends of the Fall, I think, and The
Prince of Egypt), who's name, according to the American (and New Mexican)
in me would be "Ralf FeeYENez," but as we all know, is "Rayf Fynz."

(It often sounds, when they announce his name, though, as if they are
saying "Ray Fines." ^_^ )

Still, I don't think it's bizarre by any means. If we can get "Shon" or
"Shawn" from Sean, why should we have a problem with getting "Rayf" from
Ralph? *grin*

J. Shouryu Nohe
http://web.nmsu.edu/~jnohe
Professor of SCSM102, New Mexico State Univ.
"Never put passion before principle. Even when win, you lose."
-Miyagi-san, KKpt.II

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