Colin or Cole-in?

Subject: Colin or Cole-in?
From: Arnie
Date: 16 Oct 01 - 06:50 AM

Why is it that Gen. Colin Powell, who gets a mention almost every day on the UK news, is pronounced 'Cole-in Powell? I have friends called Colin, and they pronounce their name phonetically. Is it an American thing, or does the General just like to be different?? Arnie (pron. Airhead).

Subject: RE: Colin or Cole-in?
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 16 Oct 01 - 06:54 AM

Pronunciation of 'Colin'

Subject: RE: Colin or Cole-in?
From: CarolC
Date: 16 Oct 01 - 06:55 AM

It appears to be more of a Scottish versus English thing than anything to do with the US. Although both pronunciations seem to be pretty common in a lot of places.

Check this thread for more information.

Subject: RE: Colin or Cole-in?
From: CarolC
Date: 16 Oct 01 - 06:56 AM

Oops.

Subject: RE: Colin or Cole-in?
From: SeanM
Date: 16 Oct 01 - 06:59 AM

I think it can all be summed up as "personal preference" though. Names seldom follow rules of pronunciation uniformly. "Tom'aiye'to/Tom'aaah'to" and all that.

M

Subject: RE: Colin or Cole-in?
From: Arnie
Date: 16 Oct 01 - 07:23 AM

Thanks for the link Malcolm D and Carol - didn't realise that I was treading over old ground with this query. I really must get on Mudcat more often!!Guess that answers my question anyway!

Subject: RE: Colin or Cole-in?
From: Troll
Date: 16 Oct 01 - 07:37 AM

What I have never been able to figure out, through all the many posts regarding the pronunciation of Gen. Powells name is, what does it matter?

troll

Subject: RE: Colin or Cole-in?
From: Scabby Douglas
Date: 16 Oct 01 - 08:49 AM

You're right, Troll... it doesn't matter, any more than a lot of topics we kick around on here... like naming peoples' kittens, or bands, or wishing people happy birthday, or whatever.
It's just conversation, exchange of opinion, and it's ephemeral.. Nobody's day is vastly improved, or greatly degraded either...

so for me, it's just like lots of conversations I have in the course of a day..
Cheers

Steven

Subject: RE: Colin or Cole-in?
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 17 Oct 01 - 03:11 AM

If I came from other than Scotland, my name would sound "Bob"!

Subject: RE: Colin or Cole-in?
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 17 Oct 01 - 06:54 PM

Since I was responsible for starting the original thread, troll, I would agree that in the great scheme of things it doesn't matter, but I am curious about all things linguistic, and an unusual pronunciation of a (to me) very familiar name justified comment.

Scabby Doug has summed it up well above, most people have conversations like that every day. Trivia, gossip, casual chit-chat, it's all part of the daily grind.

Murray