Dune mess ear?

[undyingking]

Quick pronunciation survey. In each case, pick the one that's closest to your version – it doesn't have to be absolutely exact. (And 'ə' is a schwa, ie. a neutral 'uh' type of vowel sound.)

If you use different pronunciations in different contexts, answer the commonest one and expand in a comment. Likewise if you have a pronunciation that's not like any of the options…

[Poll #1729985]

Comments

[gbsteve.livejournal.com]

That was my problem. I mean, I know about Theydon Boyce but I didn't know it wasn't Bo Liə. I had no frame of reference to say Bew Lee, especially having spent 10 years in France.

[venta.livejournal.com]

Shortly before order a "Buccleuch estate beef burger" in a pub the other, t'other half asked me how to say "Buccleuch".

Neither of us had a blithering clue. I have suspicions that it might be One Of Them words that try to trip up the unwary.

I think he said "a burger", which seemed to work but got us no forwarder.

[undyingking.livejournal.com]

It's /bəˈkluː/, according to the FOAK. Which I think is approx like 'berCLOO(ch)' where the ch is vestigial.

[venta.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Not too bad then - hardly into Beaulieu territory.

[secondhand-rick.livejournal.com]

Any bets on Kirkcudbright?

[venta.livejournal.com]

K'COOObree, innit?

[secondhand-rick.livejournal.com]

Smart arse. How about Southampton?

[venta.livejournal.com]

Saaaaaaarmpn, I think. Not sure on that one, though.

[secondhand-rick.livejournal.com]

The only sentence I can still hear in my grandfather's 'voice' is 'Goan down Sampton, sarf'dee'.

[mr-malk.livejournal.com]

"Holborn" confused me for ages. Pronounce it anything like it's spelt and parochial Londoners contrive to affect complete ignorance.

Assuming my very best (i.e. most grotesquely parodied) "Saaand a'Bow-Behwz" accent turns it into Owb'n (like the town near the Isle of Mull in NW Scotland - only more so.

[secondhand-rick.livejournal.com]

I still have trouble with Hoebunn as well.