BS: Louis de Bernieres Pronunciation

Subject: BS: Louis de Bernieres Pronunciation
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 12 Dec 10 - 05:18 PM

How does the British author Louis de Bernieres pronounce his name, in English as "Loo-iss de Burn-yurz" or in French as "Loo-ee de Burn-yay"? I've googled the question and a few forum postings seem to favour the French pronunciation, but as there is little associated discussion I can't tell whether the people responding are simply showing off their knowlege of French or actually know how Mr. de Bernieres answers his phone. But someone here at Le Chat de la Boue (le shaa de la boo) is bound to know.

Subject: RE: BS: Louis de Bernieres Pronunciation
From: GUEST,Silas
Date: 12 Dec 10 - 05:20 PM

I think he just calls himself 'Bill'

Subject: RE: BS: Louis de Bernieres Pronunciation
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 12 Dec 10 - 05:27 PM

Pronounced "gee-yawm"?

Subject: RE: BS: Louis de Bernieres Pronunciation
From: Monique
Date: 12 Dec 10 - 05:28 PM

Video, it seems it's pronounced the French way "loo-ee duh bear-nee-air"

Subject: RE: BS: Louis de Bernieres Pronunciation
From: bobad
Date: 12 Dec 10 - 05:31 PM

I would pronounce it as Bairn-yerre not Burn-yay. That pronunciation would hold if it was spelled Bernier.

Subject: RE: BS: Louis de Bernieres Pronunciation
From: bobad
Date: 12 Dec 10 - 05:32 PM

Cross posted with Monique.

Subject: RE: BS: Louis de Bernieres Pronunciation
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 12 Dec 10 - 05:39 PM

Thanks, Monique. It's all on You Tube, isn't it? Amazing.

Subject: RE: BS: Louis de Bernieres Pronunciation
From: jonm
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 06:42 AM

He used to pronounce his surname "Smart."

Subject: RE: BS: Louis de Bernieres Pronunciation
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 07:06 AM

The author was born to an English family (French ancestors long ago), so his real first name ends with an audible "s". He doesn't seem to object to the French pronunciation though, which makes him look more of an expert for continental matters than he actually is.

Subject: RE: BS: Louis de Bernieres Pronunciation
From: s&r
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 07:43 AM

I know several (four) people called Louis. All of them prefer the "French" pronunciation.

Stu

Subject: RE: BS: Louis de Bernieres Pronunciation
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 09:20 AM

s&r, it seems you're right that this is the preferred pronunciation now in the UK (where "Lewis" is available for the other pronunciation).

My own concern is that novelists often claim expertise for exotic settings, sometimes (not often) do meticulous research for details, but fail to grasp the authentic mentality. Film makers aren't any better. An exotic-sounding name can be a jigsaw piece of an image of authenticity.

What is the significance of the names "Bill" and "Smart" named above? Abuses?