AIBP (pretentious) to pronounce L'Occitane "LOCK SEE TAN"?

[MardyBra]

Especially when friends and family call it "LOCKY TAIN"?

Since it would never have occurred to me to pronounce it any other way, no, YANBP at all. Why is it pretentious to pronounce it correctly?

It isn't Grunt, for some reason womma is being wierd.

Zombie, have you got any spare wine? I think womma needs some Christmas cheer!

I don't think I've ever heard of it.

I think I live down an unstylish hole.

I did love the choreetso and moay threads but I can't bring myself to say them properly though. I'm too common, I'd sound like a complete bell end.

In all seriousness Womma, what made you post on this thread.

I'm genuinely curious to know what went through your mind and why you felt compelled to tell everyone that you think their conversation is boring?

There are a million threads that I think are dull as ditch water but it wouldn't occur to me that anyone would be interested in my opinion.

I'm honestly interested in your motivation.

It always makes me a bit sad when we get a reaction like wommas. Maybe fair enough on the threads that start out by saying that its annoying when people get things wrong. But the OP didn't do that.

So here we all are, consenting adults in private enjoying the innocent pleasures of language. And we get told we are smug and petty and superior.

It's a bit like being back at school and getting grief for being a swot. I thought I had got away from all that stuff.

I personally find the sneering at any kind of education rather unpleasant.

Why do we send children to school? to University?

So they can spend their whole lives hiding their knowledge so as not to seem pretentious?

You do have to, though, don't you? Especially as a woman at work. I spent years pretending to be slower and more ignorant than I was.

It was one of the nicest things about leaving my old job and going to work at a university. Being clever and educated is nothing to be ashamed of. And I'm usually the stupidest person in the room.

Yeah. no one can reproach the UK for it's overwheening love of the intellect.

Another that I hesitate to pronounce correctly is Chamonix - which should really be 'Chamonicks', but pronouncing it thus will invariably elicit pitying looks and those 'oh, you mean Chamoneee,' type remarks.

I have no problem with people disagreeing or not finding a thread to their taste, but there shouldn't be any policing or censorship of discussions, unless they're obviously offensive.

I question the motivations of anyone who comes onto a thread solely to insult people. This isn't directed at womma specifically, but it does happen sometimes and I find it odd.

There is nothing wrong with discussing language or pronunciation, and wanting to get it right. I struggle to see how this could be a bad thing.

Kein, I didn't know that and I have been there a few times! Which accent/ dialect would that be?

Chamonicks?

I'm not sure I believe that!! I did French A level and at no point was there mention of a final x being pronounced.

'So here's a clue right away on how to blend seamlessly into the death-sport capital of the world, call it "Cham"; all the locals, French and Anglais, do. Chamonix is the 28km valley and the commune, the town is affectionately dubbed Cham. If you must use its full name, remember that it used to be spelt Chamouni; therefore the "x" at the end is silent. Only Parisians call it Chamonix, pronounced like Asterix, and they also wear jeans & gaiters … and snowblade.'

From the Guardian

'In Chamonix and in the Savoy region in general the locals make fun of visitors who pronounce the X (behind their backs...) '

From a native French person on a forum

My DH is from Southern France and pronounces it with a locc/lock sound (pays d'oc) however the right pronunciation is loxeetahn, because it stems from Occitania. He says it with his local dialect/accent- although he's only said L'Occitane about three times. I've never said it out loud, actually.

Gaiters???

The people who say it wouldn't occur to them to pronounce it any other way - is that because you know the history of the brand? Just assuming a normal French pronunciation does produce locky tan or similar doesn't it?

This is a fascinating thread - MN at its best; starting from a discussion of pronunciation, proceeding via the linguistic origins of Oc, and ending with a philosophical Latin tag.

Sub specie aeternitatis - I think that phrase just enriched my life a little.

goes to bookshelf
There is a really interesting book by Graham Robb, [http://www.amazon.fr/The-Discovery-France-Graham-Robb/dp/033042761X The Discovery of France], about the different dialects in France. Langue d'oeil - French as we know it now - was only one of several.

I've never known how to pronounce it so just point if I pass it lol

Arse. Link fail. The Discovery of France

And speaking of l'occitane and pronunciation

Shea is it shear or shay or something else?

I've always wondered how it's pronounced, I always took to pointing at the item and saying 'that posh stuff'.

I have learnt something new!.

akachan. I don't think a normal French pronunciation would make it Locky. C followed by an I usually makes a "see" sound, as in "cigarette" or "cinema". But because there is a double c, then we get the "oc" sound first.

I love a good pronunciation thread.

I find myself pretending to doubt my knowledge. If I know something that the people I'm with don't know, I always shuffle and say 'um, I thought x, y, z but I'm not sure. I might be wrong. I might have made that up...'even if I know full well that I am right. Why is that? Why can't I feel proud of what I know& can remember?

I have a friend who is a complete knowitall. Or thinks she is- she has an opinion on everything and thinks she knows all there is to know about everything and she comes across as quite arrogant. I don't want to be like that.