How the Hell do you pronounce that?

I'm currently reading Arthur C. Clarke's "Sunstorm" and one of the main characters is called Siobhan.

Now, how the hell are you supposed to pronounce that without dislocating your jaw?
Are there letters you don't pronounce or what? :frusty:

shivon

Thanks.

Don't know why but it somehow blocked me... :unsure:

or sho vaune depending on your Gaelic accent.

There is no letter v in the Celtic alphabet so bh is used.

It's a bit rich though, a Frenchman complaining about unusual spelling. :shifty:

Well our good friends the Romans have helped us a bit with forgetting the subtleties of the celtic languages... :dry:

Amazing!
Before I even opened the topic I knew what you were going to ask.

I've never known how that name is pronounced, either.

sigh-oh-bahn

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Originally Posted by Guillaume

Well our good friends the Romans have helped us a bit with forgetting the subtleties of the celtic languages... :dry:

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Speak for yourself. :lol: We Celts retained our language an heritage. The Romans had to build two walls(ballachan) to keep us out*. :lol:


* Or in. Depending on how you want to look at it. :lol:

Certainly to keep you out.

Keeping in they did at Alesia. :angry:
Damn Celtill the vercingetorix and his lack of brains! :frusty:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Guillaume

Certainly to keep you out.

Keeping in they did at Alesia. :angry:
Damn Celtill the vercingetorix and his lack of brains! :frusty:

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We should have sent you stocks of Whisky. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Guillaume

Certainly to keep you out.

Keeping in they did at Alesia. :angry:
Damn Celtill the vercingetorix and his lack of brains! :frusty:

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You had Asterix though. :01:

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Originally Posted by Biggles

or sho vaune depending on your Gaelic accent.

There is no letter v in the Celtic alphabet so bh is used.

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They realized they had no "v" so decided to use "bh" in it's stead.

That seems an unlikely tale.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JPaul

They realized they had no "v" so decided to use "bh" in it's stead.

That seems an unlikely tale.

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:) Perhaps.


Then again...

siobsan?

colin

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Originally Posted by GepperRankins

siobsan?

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I asked about an Irish name, not a Japanese one! :angry:








coat?

i say it sha-von

:01:

*mutters about simpletons*

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Biggles

or sho vaune depending on your Gaelic accent.

There is no letter v in the Celtic alphabet so bh is used.

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http://www.wheeloffortuneinfo.com/PatAndVanna-White.JPG
Here are Pat and Vanna to present the Celts with the letter "V".
This should help atone for centuries of linguistic oppression.

The manufacturers of stobhes and Range Robhers will be ever so grateful if you'll use it properly.

Lobhe,
Clocker

Quote:

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Originally Posted by clocker

http://www.wheeloffortuneinfo.com/PatAndVanna-White.JPG
Here are Pat and Vanna to present the Celts with the letter "V".
This should help atone for centuries of linguistic oppression.

The manufacturers of stobhes and Range Robhers will be ever so grateful if you'll use it properly.

Lobhe,
Clocker

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I am going to put two fingers up to you sir. :ph34r:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ab/upyours.jpg
If you wonder what it means, please remember we dont have a 'V' in our language. :lol:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bigboab

If you wonder what it means, please remember we dont have a 'V' in our language. :lol:

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Bhictory?

I'll be leabhing now....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by clocker

Bhictory?

I'll be leabhing now....

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That is why we are a peaceful nation. We cant vent our anger. :lol: :lol:

But you can "bhent"...not as effective, but t'will do I suppose.

Is this a good time to mention that there isn't a j,k,q, w, x,y or z either? :shifty:

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Originally Posted by j2k4

What odd letter combinations do you substitute for these when the need arises, Les? :huh:

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For example the Isle of Skye is An t-Eilean Sgitheanach. :lookaroun

Alas I don't speak it - I grew up in the A Ghaidhealtachd (the Highlands) but languages are not my forte and it was just too damned hard. I have toyed with learning it in my dotage when there are less demands on my time (but procrastination has stolen most of that)

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Originally Posted by j2k4

Yeah-dotage is a bitch.

I've been wondering about selling mine off on E-bay or something...:P

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If you get a good price let me know - might offload mine too.





Actually, come to think of it, any price will do.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Biggles

Is this a good time to mention that there isn't a j,k,q, w, x,y or z either? :shifty:

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There's no reason not to use these letters, there are plenty of them just lying about doing nothing.

It's not as if anyone's going to say "get off those, they're ours" ffs.

What is it with you Celts? Lazy or just too bloody minded? :shutup:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lynx

There's no reason not to use these letters, there are plenty of them just lying about doing nothing.

It's not as if anyone's going to say "get off those, they're ours" ffs.

What is it with you Celts? Lazy or just too bloody minded? :shutup:

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:ohmy:

Spendthrift!

Have you never heard Gordon taking about being prudent? :unsure:

It is pronounced 'bitch'

(remembers school day's bitch queen)


(apologies for nice people call Siobhan)