Cailean?

Ciamar a chanas mi.... / How do I say...
clarsair
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Cailean?

Unread post by clarsair »

I've come across several different ways of pronuncing this name, according to various websites and sound files so would be interested to know what the general consensus is.

Thanks.


akerbeltz
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Re: Cailean?

Unread post by akerbeltz »

Consensus not needed. It's a clear-cut case even across dialects: /kalan/ with weak (English) l and weak (English) n and two clear /a/ vowels. It gets messier in the vocative/genitive though: a Chalein! /? xal?N?/ with a palatal /N?/ at the end and the c > ch and /a/ > /?/ change.
horogheallaidh
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Re: Cailean?

Unread post by horogheallaidh »

As akerbeltz says, Cailean is mainly pronounced like Kal-ann - however Sgitheanachs agus Uibhisteachs seem to prefer a sort of Kell-ann instead. Some Irish pals also would say Kay-lan - but I don't go with that one - Kal-ann is good enough for me :)
akerbeltz
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Re: Cailean?

Unread post by akerbeltz »

That's be the somewhat unpredictable /a/ ~ /?/ variation. Wouldn't worry about it. Any you're right about the strange Irish thing ;)
Stìophan
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Re: Cailean?

Unread post by Stìophan »

/'kalan/ is how I pronounce it [both 'a' sounds roughly like English 'cat'] and indeed the way all of the Gaels I have spoken to pronounce it, so I would go with Akerbeltz as well. :priob:
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