Help with French/Belgian pronunciation

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jimmowatt
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Post by jimmowatt »

Greetings
This is a bit cheeky me here asking for help as I so rarely do anything Librivoxy at the moment but remembering what splendid people the Librivoxers are I decided to pop along anyway to see if there were some who could help make sure I get the pronunciation right for my podcast.
I do a podcast called Historyzine over at http://historyzine.com/ and I'm currently writing up the Battle of Ramillies, 1706.
There's a good link to the goings on in the battle here http://sites.google.com/site/ramillies1706/the-viewpoint-of-marlborough

Can anyone confirm plausible sounding pronunciations for any of these words?:

Ramillies
Taviers
Tirlemont
River Gheet
River Mehaigne
Autreglise
Foulz
Franquenay
Judoigne
Corswaren
Maison Du Roi
Offus
Villeroy
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Julila
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Post by Julila »

I'm not altogether sure about Gheet or Foulz, but this is what I would make of it: http://upload.librivox.org/share/uploads/xx/pronunciationsjimmowatt.mp3
Hope this helps!
Constructive criticism is greatly appreciated!

Mr. Wooster, how would you support a wife? Well, I suppose it depends on whose wife it was, a little gentle pressure beneath the elbow while crossing a busy street usually fits the bill. (P.G. Wodehouse)
ezwa
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Post by ezwa »

Hi Jim and Julie,

There are a few words I'd pronounce slightly differently from Julie :

Mehaigne
Autreglise
Judoigne (as in oignon - "onion")
Corswaren ("w" as in English, not as in German. It's a letter that we pronounce differently in Belgium and in France)

http://upload.librivox.org/share/uploads/ez/Bnames_jimmowatt_20091031.mp3
Ezwa

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jimmowatt
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Post by jimmowatt »

That's absolutely splendid.
Thank you Julila and Ezwa.
That's just what I wanted - I very much appreciate you taking the time to help me out.

Kind regards

Jim
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jimmowatt
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Post by jimmowatt »

I've now posted my latest episode of Historyzine at Historyzine.com, The Battle of Ramillies.
My pronunciation has slipped a few times but some of them I've managed to get close to your suggestions. Thanks again for helping me out with these.
Kind regards

Jim
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jimmowatt
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Post by jimmowatt »

Greetings
I return once more, cap in hand looking for some assistance, if I may.
I'm close to releasing another episode of my podcast, Historyzine and wondered if anyone could help with a little Belgian, French and Italian pronunciation.
These are the words I'm having difficulty with:

Louvain
Brabant
Dylet
Senne
Sheldt
Courtrai
Chamillart
Marshal La Fueillade
Piedmont
Adige
Cherasco
Oglio
Dendermonde
Deynse
Menin
Vauban
Ath
Count Goes

I know it's a tall order but if anyone could record some pronunciations for me I would be very grateful.
I'm also feeling a little guilty that, of late, I seem to be only taking from the Librivox community and not giving so it would assuage my conscience a little if you wish to nominate a chapter in a work that needs assistance and I'll record that as a thankyou for any assistance.

Kind regards

Jim
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Julila
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Post by Julila »

Dear Jim,

A couple of the names you listed there have a Dutch alternative; I added them after the French pronunciation. I only picked the 'Flemish' names:
Louvain (Leuven), Brabant, Senne (Zenne), Sheldt (Schelde), Courtrai (Kortrijk), Dendermonde, Deynse (Deinze).
I could have a shot at the other names as well, if you'd like me to. Perhaps a native speaker will come along, though; then you'll have the correct pronunciation right away :).

http://upload.librivox.org/share/uploads/xx/pronunciationsjimmowatt2.mp3
Constructive criticism is greatly appreciated!

Mr. Wooster, how would you support a wife? Well, I suppose it depends on whose wife it was, a little gentle pressure beneath the elbow while crossing a busy street usually fits the bill. (P.G. Wodehouse)
jimmowatt
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Post by jimmowatt »

Julila wrote:Dear Jim,

A couple of the names you listed there have a Dutch alternative; I added them after the French pronunciation. I only picked the 'Flemish' names:
Louvain (Leuven), Brabant, Senne (Zenne), Sheldt (Schelde), Courtrai (Kortrijk), Dendermonde, Deynse (Deinze).
I could have a shot at the other names as well, if you'd like me to. Perhaps a native speaker will come along, though; then you'll have the correct pronunciation right away :).

http://upload.librivox.org/share/uploads/xx/pronunciationsjimmowatt2.mp3
Thank you very much indeed.
That gives me a really good start.
I think I'll go for the more French sounding pronunciation even though I find it problematical.
I tried the Dutch ones and I was nearly strangled by my tongue.
I remember suffering similarly when we did the History of Holland project on here some time back. I found those Dutch names a real challenge.
Thanks again for taking the time and trouble to help me out.

Kind regards

Jim

(can anyone help me with the rest?)
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ezwa
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Post by ezwa »

I'm not 100% sure about all of them but... Here you are, Jim: http://upload.librivox.org/share/uploads/ez/Bnames_jimmowatt_20100121.mp3
Ezwa

« Heureux qui... sait d'une voix légère passer du grave au doux, du plaisant au sévère »
Boileau
« Soyez joyeux dans l'espérance, patients dans la tribulation, persévérants dans la prière. »
Rm 12:12


Envie de lire du dramatique ?
jimmowatt
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Post by jimmowatt »

Hurrah!
Thankyou Ezwa and Julila.

Does anyone know whether the beginning of Cherasco is a ch sound or a k sound?

You are both quite wonderful.
And now to assuage my conscience.
Do either of you want to nominate a Librivox chapter for me to read or shall I pick one myself?

Regards

Jim
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ezwa
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Post by ezwa »

jimmowatt wrote:[...] Do either of you want to nominate a Librivox chapter for me to read or shall I pick one myself? [...]
Well, Jim, since you ask... why not pick a chapter for either of these two projects : http://librivox.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19217 and http://librivox.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18863 ?

;-)
Ezwa

« Heureux qui... sait d'une voix légère passer du grave au doux, du plaisant au sévère »
Boileau
« Soyez joyeux dans l'espérance, patients dans la tribulation, persévérants dans la prière. »
Rm 12:12


Envie de lire du dramatique ?
jimmowatt
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Joined: January 13th, 2006, 8:44 am
Location: Cambridge UK
Contact:

Post by jimmowatt »

ezwa wrote:
jimmowatt wrote:[...] Do either of you want to nominate a Librivox chapter for me to read or shall I pick one myself? [...]
Well, Jim, since you ask... why not pick a chapter for either of these two projects : http://librivox.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19217 and http://librivox.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18863 ?

;-)
Ouch!
You are cruel
I'm quivering in terror even at the possibility
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ezwa
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Post by ezwa »

I was just kidding, Jim.

You'll pick something to record if you want (not from either of the two projects I nominated, I presume. Though I don't understand why you're quivering in terror at the possibility of recording in French. For Dutch, I could understand... But I'm sure Julie would tell us otherwise. ;o).
Ezwa

« Heureux qui... sait d'une voix légère passer du grave au doux, du plaisant au sévère »
Boileau
« Soyez joyeux dans l'espérance, patients dans la tribulation, persévérants dans la prière. »
Rm 12:12


Envie de lire du dramatique ?
jimmowatt
Posts: 1532
Joined: January 13th, 2006, 8:44 am
Location: Cambridge UK
Contact:

Post by jimmowatt »

ezwa wrote:I was just kidding, Jim.

You'll pick something to record if you want (not from either of the two projects I nominated, I presume. Though I don't understand why you're quivering in terror at the possibility of recording in French. For Dutch, I could understand... But I'm sure Julie would tell us otherwise. ;o).
Even French words frighten me.
The sounds seems to emanate from the back of the mouth and I have trouble forming a sound from there.
Anyways, I think I've decided which project to record for and it's one I started as a solo a million years ago - the St George for England.
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