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Original poster

Iolanthe pronunciation?

16 replies

Catlike · 30/04/2013 13:10

I've seen Iolanthe listed in a couple of threads and thought it was beautiful, assuming that it was pronounced Yolantha Blush

Just checked on google and now know its Eye-o-lan-thee which I don't like nearly as much.

Would it be really horrendous to use it but with the wrong pronunciation that I liked? (I suspect that it might be)

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SoupDragon · 30/04/2013 13:12

Yes, I think it would be I'm afraid! it's like Sian/See-an [shudder]

MerryMarigold · 30/04/2013 13:13

I thought Yolantha when I saw it on the thread title. I don't like it, but I don't think it would be unreasonable. Teachers and friend's parents will always struggle, but they seem to struggle with my dd's name which is straightforward but sounds like another, more common name.

sparkle12mar08 · 30/04/2013 13:15

What about Yolande? I had a scottish friend at uni with this name, pronounced Yo-lan-de/duh - a hard Yo but soft de at the end. Her nn was Yoli pr Yolly.

AuntieStella · 30/04/2013 13:17

Well, it would be like pronouncing Siobhan "See-ob-han"

I think it would be seen as uneducated. Especially as the G&S operetta is still in frequent performance.

Just spell it Yolantha, if that's what you want said.

Original poster
Catlike · 30/04/2013 13:21

Oh god, the See-an/Sian thing is awful! I really don't want to be one of those parents.

Yolanda's lovely but wouldn't go as well with our surname. The "tha" sound goes slightly better than the "da" sound. Fussy, I know...

OP posts:
JojoMags · 30/04/2013 13:57

I think the name is too well known to get with Yolantha pronounciation.

alexpolismum · 30/04/2013 13:58

Just pronounce it Ee-o-lan-thee if you like it that way and tell people it's the Greek pronunciation, and you or your partner have connections to Greece (invent a grandfather, if necessary).

badtime · 30/04/2013 14:25

Yes, in many ways it is the English pronunciation which is 'wrong', and your preferred pronunciation is closer to the original Greek. If anyone is snotty to you about 'mispronouncing' it, you could be snotty right back.

Original poster
Catlike · 30/04/2013 16:29

Hmm that's a thought alex and badtime!

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thermalsinapril · 30/04/2013 20:21

Is it worth it for a lifetime of correcting people though?

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 30/04/2013 20:48

I think it's lovely when pronounced correctly and I'd steer well clear of inventing your own pronunciation. Love Yolande too though.

Original poster
Catlike · 01/05/2013 09:45

No, you're right. Even if its pronounced Yolanthee in some countries, people would still be cringing at us here.

OP posts:
Gwennan · 01/05/2013 10:07

Just call her Yolantha then.

Original poster
Catlike · 01/05/2013 10:27

No, I think I'll just pick something else Grin

OP posts:
Gwennan · 01/05/2013 10:29

Best of luck choosing!

I know you discounted Yolanda above but I know one and it works really well as a first name - never met one before or since either.

Original poster
Catlike · 01/05/2013 10:51

Cheers Gwennan, got til October to decide so plenty of time to get it right! Yolanda is lovely :)

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