(no subject)

[owl]

Are any of the names on the Colquhoun/Colhoun/Calhoun/Calhoon/Cahoon variation not pronounced 'Ca-hoon'?

Also, is speak-as-you-spell sending Dee-yell the way of Mackenzie? Though in a small sample size I have noticed that Dalziel seems to be the original pronunciation more often than Dalzell.

What other disconnects between spelling and speaking are there around?

Comments

[tree_and_leaf]

Umpteen placenames in Fife - such as the notorious 'Kilconqhaur' (pronunced 'Kinnuchar', more or less)' Kirkaldy (Kirkaddy), Burtisland (generally pronunced 'Bruntisland, though that one seems under threat....) Or on the West side of Scotland, Milngavie (pron. 'Milngai')

In surnames, and moving away from Scotland, there's the obvious 'Featherstoneshaugh'/ Fanshawe....

[owl]

Oooh, and Kirkcudbright's always good for a laugh (Kirkoobri), and Edinburgh, with two pronunciations neither of which match the spelling.

[tree_and_leaf]

How could I have forgotten Kirkudbright?

And I never even think about the fact that I normally say something resembling 'Embra".