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Baby names

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Original poster

welsh people help me! !

41 replies

followed · 19/08/2013 18:38

I am Welsh but not Welsh speaking, and I live in London.

I've named my 10 month old Osian and pronunce it OSHun, but recently met some Welsh speakers who pronunce it oshAN. Am I saying it incorrectly (which would be massively embarrassing!) or is my way an acceptable variation? Can't ask anyone irl due to embarrassment.

I'm in a real panic now and thinking of changing his name quickly before the 12 month deadline! I actually don't like the oshAN pronunciation at all but don't want him growing up saying his own name wrong!

Help.

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Hatecoffee · 20/08/2013 22:42

I hang out and live up North Wales! Grin

Very Popular up here, been so for the last 8-10 years!

LingDiLong · 20/08/2013 22:33

Honestly, I really wouldn't worry too much, the difference is so subtle. My name has a 'correct' pronounciation and another, just as common pronounciation. It doesn't bother me which people use.

In my 5 years learning welsh I have learnt one thing - there is never one single way of pronouncing any welsh words and names are no exception!

Original poster
followed · 20/08/2013 22:30

Well more unusual in London, but obviously not where hatecoffee hangs out!

OP posts:
Original poster
followed · 20/08/2013 22:27

Crosspost LingDi and exactly what I'm trying to get at!! I guess it is because Osian is more unusual that I'm less confident than I would be with Megan etc

OP posts:
Original poster
followed · 20/08/2013 22:25

Thanks for everyone's advice so far

OP posts:
Original poster
followed · 20/08/2013 22:24

Hmmm maybe I'm not explaining my pronunciation very well.

It's exactly the same as the difference between an Welsh accent Bethan and an English accent (or rather a Cardiff accent in my case) Bethan. Does that make more sense and is it still wrong?

I've been trying to say it more Welshy but I sound like I'm putting in an accent (which I guess I am!)

OP posts:
LingDiLong · 20/08/2013 22:23

I've only heard OshAn but there are plenty of welsh names where there are variations in the pronounciation - especially where there's an 'an' ending. I have a Ioan and pronounce it Yo-An. Yo-un and an almost run together yone also seem to be in use. I've also heard 'steffUn' for 'steffan' and 'MegUn' for 'Megan'.

I really wouldn't worry, it's a subtle difference.

Hatecoffee · 20/08/2013 20:33

There are 7 Osian in DC school...all pronounced oshAN, I have never heard it pronounced any other way.

Alisvolatpropiis · 20/08/2013 01:21

OP I have a friend who's son is names Osian. I've had to say it aloud repeatedly but they say Osh-un. They live in S.Wales, as do I.

lililon · 19/08/2013 23:16

OshAN here as well I'm afraid. Sorry!

Original poster
followed · 19/08/2013 21:32

Oh bluestars you've literally brought a tear to my eye I'm so relieved! Still worried of course, but a little less!

OP posts:
BlueStarsAtNight · 19/08/2013 21:16

I knew one at university and he pronounced it OSHun. He was welsh and welsh speaking.

bobbinogs · 19/08/2013 19:13

I'm welsh and would,pronounce it OshAn......but that's not to stop you pronouncing it how you want and I think OshUn is the natural way english people would say it, my Dd is Bethan and I say it bethAn but we're in England and everyone else says BethUn......

hotair · 19/08/2013 19:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mamapants · 19/08/2013 18:54

I am a welsh speaker and would definitely pronounce it OshAN and would think it very odd to hear oshUN, sounds totally wrong to me sorry.
Maybe you'd get a different response from those in the south of wales.

tiredlady · 19/08/2013 18:45

Hi,
not a welsh speaker but living in wales for over 20 yrs. Have come across the name Osian lots of times, and I've always heard it pronouced as oshAN sorry.
But really it doesn't matter you know. Just call him OSHan. No one in London will know the difference :)

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