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Original poster

Pronunciation of Roald

58 replies

whatausername · 15/12/2021 21:15

Row (as in a boat)?
Roll?
Road?
Rolled?

Not using it, just curious. I always hear Roald Dahl referred to by his full name. I think I say "row" and it runs into Dahl. What is the correct pronunication? Any Norwegians about?

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sweetbellyhigh · 28/12/2021 08:36

I'm so glad you asked! I've never known.

MakeMineAdoubleChocolate · 28/12/2021 08:29

Funny enough, I say it rolled. Rolled Dahl is the most common I think.

This thread is super interesting as would never thought about how other people pronounced it too.

WhispersOfWickedness · 28/12/2021 08:26

Sorry, only just came back to the thread, apologies for the blown minds about Astrid 😆 Yes, I was referring to the Norwegian pronunciation of Astrid (since Roald was Norwegian, so was comparing to that), I'm sure there will be many Astrids out there who pronounce the D, I was just being specific about the pronunciation in Norwegian 😊
For the pp who asked about the silent hard letter at the end of a word, yes, d at the end is commonly silent in many different words in Norwegian 😊

35andThriving · 27/12/2021 08:49

I never really stopped and thought about it 'til this thread but I say it like Roll Dahl.

TakeMe2Insanity · 17/12/2021 21:51

@DixieSun

My grandad was friends with him and called him Roo al
Winning 🥇 post!
TrashyPanda · 17/12/2021 20:04

@Pyracanth

Roald - Ro - as in how a cockney would pronounce the a in the word ball. ald - is pronounced “ull” as in Ullswater and with the tongue at back of mouth on the “ll” And if proper Norwegian pronunciation then the R would be rolling.
I’m confused

Like most non-Londoners, I have no idea how a cockney would pronounce anything.

Could you give a example that is mainstream, please?

zingally · 17/12/2021 15:18

I always thought it was to sound like Rolled... But I don't know!

SeanChailleach · 16/12/2021 18:41

@PuffinShop

Modern Icelandic Hróðvaldur

Where did you get that from? There's not a single person in the national register or the genealogical records called Hróðvaldur and the name isn't in the name register. It would be a modernisation of the Old Norse form, but a hypothetical one.

Hróaldur is in the name register and I see a few men with that name from the 9th and 10th centuries. That's it. The name isn't used in Iceland.

Good point. I got that off Nordicnames.de
IVflytrap · 16/12/2021 15:36

I always thought it was something like Roh-ald but have never been sure.

Roald Dahl's older sister was called Astri. Spelt without the D at the end, perhaps to indicate the correct pronunciation for Brits? His other sisters were Else, Alfhild and Asta. Lovely names, I think.

PuffinShop · 16/12/2021 14:34

I recommend forvo.com for pronunciation help. Most names I've ever looked up have been recorded by native speakers and you can listen in different languages, for example if you want to hear the difference between the same name in Swedish and Norwegian.

PuffinShop · 16/12/2021 12:59

Modern Icelandic Hróðvaldur

Where did you get that from? There's not a single person in the national register or the genealogical records called Hróðvaldur and the name isn't in the name register. It would be a modernisation of the Old Norse form, but a hypothetical one.

Hróaldur is in the name register and I see a few men with that name from the 9th and 10th centuries. That's it. The name isn't used in Iceland.

itwasntaparty · 16/12/2021 12:27

@WhispersOfWickedness

The d is silent at the end, like Astrid Smile
I never knew this! Why have such a hard letter as a silent letter though or is that common?
Sooverthemill · 16/12/2021 12:04

You don't pronounce the d in Norwegian. But just like we don't say paree for Paris, it's acceptable in the uk

ChristmasWithBellsOn · 16/12/2021 11:59

I pronounce it ro-uhl.

Ironicpentameter · 16/12/2021 11:59

... not to be confused with Raoul - a different name and sound altogether!

Ironicpentameter · 16/12/2021 11:57

Nowegian, and a very soft pronunciation:

Roo-ahl

DixieSun · 16/12/2021 11:48

@LindaEllen wasn't what?

LindaEllen · 16/12/2021 11:32

@DixieSun

My grandad was friends with him and called him Roo al
No he wasn't.
BertieBotts · 16/12/2021 11:25

Like old with an R.

XmasSadface · 16/12/2021 11:20

To pronounce things like a Norwegian all you do is say it in a Scottish accent.

So say roald in a Scottish accent and thats the right version

Cottonheadedninymuggins · 16/12/2021 11:17

We've always pronounced it as Rowl with the silent d. Interesting to hear all the other ways 🤣

TuftyMarmoset · 16/12/2021 11:10

Astrid is pronounced with the d in Swedish, eg Pippi Longstocking author Astrid Lindgren. Also with the d in German.

GingerbreadandJellytots · 16/12/2021 10:49

No D

GingerbreadandJellytots · 16/12/2021 10:48

Roald I pronounce like coal which I say as though it has two syllables no idea why

StonewalledNameChange · 16/12/2021 10:47

I knew Roald but my mind is blown to learn that Astrid has a silent d!

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