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Original poster

Welsh speakers - pronouncing 'LOWRI"???

40 replies

missjackson · 14/08/2012 17:08

It's 'LOW'-ree, am I right? Low as in opposite of high?
People seem to be saying 'L-ow-ree' (Ow as in ouch) but maybe I am just not finding the right welsh speakers, or for some reason that TV presenter says her name like that and now everyone thinks that's correct.
I like both ways actually, but I just need to know the right one! We live in Wales, are both half Welsh, but not welsh speakers.

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DuelingFanjo · 14/08/2012 19:32

missjackson, it's Low as in Bow, the kind your poodle would wear. Really it is, that's the proper Welsh pronunciation.

It's common for even Welsh people to pronounce it wrong just like they do with aneurin, thinking it's a-nye-rin when it's actually a-neigh-rin. The Welsh alphabet/language comes with its own set of rules.

It's true that lots of welsh people name their children with names they can't pronounce properly or which have been used for famous people but pronounced incorrectly.

Ham69 · 14/08/2012 19:13

I have a close friend called Lowri. Welsh is her first language and she lived near Bangor for the first 15 years of her life. Her name is pronounced Lo - ree and her nn is Lo. She blames Lowri Turner, the presenter, for people mispronouncing her name!

PotteringAlong · 14/08/2012 18:19

My cousin is called Lowri - we pronounce it Lowry like the artist. Also north Wales here!

PepperOnMyPaprikash · 14/08/2012 18:12

I think it could be a South/North difference.

Lousmart · 14/08/2012 17:59

I'm on Anglesey, which is north Wales, but has its own set of rules Wink

anairofhopeFORGOLD · 14/08/2012 17:55

I'm from Wrexham North Wales and for me is Lowri as in how.

iklboo · 14/08/2012 17:46

Sort of - DH's Welsh auntie pronounced Salford artist 'Lowry' as 'low' (opposite) to high). She was from Swansea.

Welsh friend from near Rhyl pronounces it as 'low' rhymes with how.

Original poster
missjackson · 14/08/2012 17:38

OK, now I'm really confused! So, just to check, duellingfanjo does your welsh speaking workmate mean LOW rhyming with BOW (the sort your poodle would wear) or BOW like bow down (ie also rhymes with how and now)?

I know sometimes there are differences between north and south Wales pronunciation so maybe that accounts for it?

Hmmm, the search continues.... Thanks for all your help!

OP posts:
Lousmart · 14/08/2012 17:30

It's Low as in the opposite to high. Welsh pronounce each letter. So, in actual fact its "low ooo ree" the letter "w" is an "oo" sound in welsh. Grin

Shakey1500 · 14/08/2012 17:26

I'm Welsh and have only known it be pronounced as LOW (opposite of high) REE

DuelingFanjo · 14/08/2012 17:24

Gosh - xposts with 3 people who are wrong! I have just checked with my Welsh speaking workmate and it's definitely Low (rhyming with Bow).

DuelingFanjo · 14/08/2012 17:23

It is LOW-ree, as you say in the OP. not rhyming with 'now' at all. The Welsh pronunciation is Low-ree.

peppapighastakenovermylife · 14/08/2012 17:22

Low (rhymes with how) re

PepperOnMyPaprikash · 14/08/2012 17:20

I am Welsh and have always pronounced the 'Low' bit to rhyme with WOW, not as the opposite of high.

NCForNow · 14/08/2012 17:19

No it's Low as in rhymes with now. I grew up in Wales and attended a welsh/English school....so was taught Welsh until the age of 13 or so. I'm not fluent but have known a few Lowri's.