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Colin or Cole-in?

16 Oct 01 - 06:50 AM (#573200)
Subject: Colin or Cole-in?
From: Arnie

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).


16 Oct 01 - 06:54 AM (#573203)
Subject: RE: Colin or Cole-in?
From: Malcolm Douglas

Pronunciation of 'Colin'


16 Oct 01 - 06:55 AM (#573205)
Subject: RE: Colin or Cole-in?
From: CarolC

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.


16 Oct 01 - 06:56 AM (#573207)
Subject: RE: Colin or Cole-in?
From: CarolC

Oops.


16 Oct 01 - 06:59 AM (#573210)
Subject: RE: Colin or Cole-in?
From: SeanM

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


16 Oct 01 - 07:23 AM (#573218)
Subject: RE: Colin or Cole-in?
From: Arnie

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!


16 Oct 01 - 07:37 AM (#573225)
Subject: RE: Colin or Cole-in?
From: Troll

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


16 Oct 01 - 08:49 AM (#573278)
Subject: RE: Colin or Cole-in?
From: Scabby Douglas

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


17 Oct 01 - 03:11 AM (#573992)
Subject: RE: Colin or Cole-in?
From: GUEST,Boab

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


17 Oct 01 - 06:54 PM (#574452)
Subject: RE: Colin or Cole-in?
From: Murray MacLeod

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