20 November 2009

The pronunciation problem

Last night, the BBC World Service was sticking with Van Rompoy (to rhyme with toy), whereas this morning BBC2 favoured Van Rompow (to rhyme with cow).

I rather think I would be inclined to Van Rompwee but it's awfully difficult to tell with Flemish names.

What do you mean, does it matter?

3 comments:

commentor said...

My attempt would be Fon Rompow (with a weedgie style 'pow' that's almost verging into 'pie' territory)

Half marathon man said...
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Will said...

My Flemish is limited to buying lunch, but my guess would be that it's halfway between 'pow' and 'poy' - not too dissimilar to the Northern Irish pronunciation of the diphthong in 'however'.