Author Topic: How do you pronounce... (Read 3876 times)

Anna · « **on:** May 05, 2006, 07:20:53 AM »

The name of Philip Pullman's heroin, Lyra?

Porter · « **Reply #1 on:** May 05, 2006, 07:44:55 AM »

I don't even know who Philip Pullman is, but I would pronounce it Leer-a.

Jonathon · « **Reply #2 on:** May 05, 2006, 08:15:18 AM »

I don't even know who Philip Pullman is, but I would pronounce it Leye-ra.

Porter · « **Reply #3 on:** May 05, 2006, 08:17:51 AM »

I would pronounce it like the now defunct Italina Lira.

Anna · « **Reply #4 on:** May 05, 2006, 08:39:44 AM »

Quote

I don't even know who Philip Pullman is

You must be kidding! In France at least his books have had a great success with both children and adults.
In my head I pronounce it like Jon Boy does, but I'm wondering what would be the correct pronounciation.

Porter · « **Reply #5 on:** May 05, 2006, 08:46:16 AM »

Oh. I've heard of his books, but haven't read any. From the little I've heard, I'm not sure I ever want to.

Anna · « **Reply #6 on:** May 05, 2006, 09:00:30 AM »

I don't think you should read them.

I found them great, but you're a believer so if you don't want to feel offended I think you would have to stick to the idea that it's just a fiction during all the reading and it's not that easy.
Anyway I always wondered about the pronounciation of the girl's name, because I heard both the one you gave and the one Jon Boy gave.

Jonathon · « **Reply #7 on:** May 05, 2006, 09:05:08 AM »

Ditto what Porter said.

Porter · « **Reply #8 on:** May 05, 2006, 09:11:40 AM »

There's an mp3 player (made by RCA?) called the Lyra. I always pronounce it like the Italian Lira.

Anna · « **Reply #9 on:** May 05, 2006, 09:23:44 AM »

JB, I know you would feel that way - sometimes it makes me sad I can't share books I loved with everyone but I guess that's life.
Anyway I didn't make this thread to talk about the books but about the girl's name.

sarcasticmuppet · « **Reply #10 on:** May 05, 2006, 10:28:49 AM »

Anna, I read the books, and I always pronounced it Leera like Porter. How far have you gotten in the trilogy? I actually prefer his Sally Lockhart series.

Jonathon · « **Reply #11 on:** May 05, 2006, 10:32:51 AM »

For what it's worth the name of the constellation Lyra is pronounced with a so-called long i.

Porter · « **Reply #12 on:** May 05, 2006, 01:32:06 PM »

Quote

For what it's worth the name of the constellation Lyra is pronounced with a so-called long i.

Always? Because I'm pretty sure I've heard it pronounced Lira.

Jonathon · « **Reply #13 on:** May 05, 2006, 01:45:14 PM »

Yes, always.

Porter · « **Reply #14 on:** May 05, 2006, 02:00:40 PM »

Ask a stupid question...

Jonathon · « **Reply #15 on:** May 05, 2006, 02:23:08 PM »

. . . get a stupid answer.

I considered adding "except when people incorrectly pronounce it like lira" to the end of that, which would have made it an even stupider answer.

Porter · « **Reply #16 on:** May 05, 2006, 03:13:48 PM »

Let me ask it in a non-stupid way:

In your experience, is the pronunciation of the constelation pretty consistent? Because I would pronounce also like Lira.

Jonathon · « **Reply #17 on:** May 05, 2006, 03:22:01 PM »

Yes. But it's not like I talk about constellations pretty often. However, there is one accepted pronunciation (it is, after all, simply the Latin word for lyre).

Porter · « **Reply #18 on:** May 05, 2006, 03:24:07 PM »

That I prounounce like "liar".

Also, your explination makes sense. I guess I'm just wonrg.

Jonathon · « **Reply #19 on:** May 05, 2006, 03:46:11 PM »

Indeed.

Porter · « **Reply #20 on:** May 05, 2006, 03:50:39 PM »

:wallbash:

I swear that that is a real typo.

Porter · « **Reply #21 on:** May 05, 2006, 03:53:12 PM »

:wallbash: :wallbash:

And now it's a sig.

rivka · « **Reply #22 on:** May 05, 2006, 04:08:16 PM »

Jonathon · « **Reply #23 on:** May 05, 2006, 04:11:20 PM »

If it really bugs you, I'll change it.

Porter · « **Reply #24 on:** May 05, 2006, 04:17:00 PM »

I have no doubt that you would.