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Original poster

Settle a debate: Isobel vs Isabelle

82 replies

UnoriginalUserName948 · 01/10/2019 06:06

Is it just me, or these two very similar, but slightly differently pronounced names? No, I am not planning on using them for twins or anything daft! My friend and I were having a discussion about it yesterday and she says they are pronounced exactly the same- I say there is a very subtle difference. Who is right?

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GaudyNight · 01/10/2019 06:09

A lot of people pronounce the middle syllable as a schwa, however it’s spelled, though.

siriusblackthemischieviouscat · 01/10/2019 06:29

There is a slight difference but i don't think people would notice it and most wont see someone's name written down so might mot pick up on the more unusual isObel.

LucieFurr · 01/10/2019 06:31

Pronounced exactly the same

Peachbubble · 01/10/2019 06:58

The same

MIdgebabe · 01/10/2019 07:02

If you say a-bell ideally you would spell it with an a. Just to help people who have trouble spelling
Some people say the names differently if it has an o. is-o-bell Especially further north.

PotteringAlong · 01/10/2019 07:03

The same

BoomZahramay · 01/10/2019 07:04

Same

TottieandMarchpane · 01/10/2019 07:06

Pr. the same in my (southern) accent.

NoSauce · 01/10/2019 07:10

I know an Isobel ( in her 60s ) and she pronounces her name Iz-O-bel, the Isabelle’s I know ( 2 under 16 ) are pronounced Izabelle.

Astronica · 01/10/2019 07:15

The same pronunciation.

Gummibaerchen1 · 01/10/2019 07:16

I would pronounce Isobel and Isabel with the emphasis on the first syllable.i

Isabelle is emphasised on the last syllable.

AlexaShutUp · 01/10/2019 07:17

I'd pronounce them the same.

Gummibaerchen1 · 01/10/2019 07:17

And Isobel is Is o bel whereas Isabel is Is a bel.

Bucatini · 01/10/2019 07:18

The same

DameSylvieKrin · 01/10/2019 07:18

I pronounce them differently but I don’t think you can hear the difference.

SabineSchmetterling · 01/10/2019 07:21

Same In my accent. Both have a schwa sound in the middle.

isabellerossignol · 01/10/2019 07:25

In my accent they'd sound different, there would be a definite 'o' sound to Isobel.

yellowish · 01/10/2019 07:26

Same

CampingItUp · 01/10/2019 07:54

I would pronounce them the same.

I presumed that the two spellings arose because the sound in the middle is too quick to distinguish as o or a.

But I see Isabelle is French
Isobel is Scottish

Gummibaerchen1 · 01/10/2019 07:54

IS oh bel

vs

Is a BELLE

So yes, very different in my accent.

NumberblockNo1 · 01/10/2019 07:56

Sound same in my southern accent. I think I might think Im saying theyre different but end result is def the same.

user838383 · 01/10/2019 07:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Equatoria · 01/10/2019 08:00

The same, IZZ-uh-bell for both. I have never heard Iz-OH-bel or Izo-BELLE.

milliefiori · 01/10/2019 08:02

I pronounce them the same because the middle syllable is uninflected, so in standard English, it's more of an uh sounds, regardless of the vowel written down.
So either way, it's IZ-uh-BELL

milliefiori · 01/10/2019 08:02

Just learned that's called a schwa!