Re: [Paddlewise] Tlingit and Kootznoowoo

Funny how pronunciation is so different depending on where you live. We all 
might think the native Tlingit indians would determine their own manner of 
speaking their ethnic names. And this is no doubt where you derive your 
answer. But interestingly enough, note how we say "Berlin" (Germany), 
whereas those in Deutschland would say something that sounds more like 
Bayr-leen' (accent on second syllable). And you get different sounds and 
pronunciations in various parts of Germany too. The town of Berlin, New 
Hampshire (and surroundings) is where most folks pronounce their town Ber' 
-lin (same as American manner of saying  Berlin, Germany, but with accent 
on first syllable). Most New Englanders, however, sound the town's name 
like we speak Berlin, Germany.

In the over-two-decades I lived in Alaska I have always heard Tlingit 
pronounced Klin'-kit (accent on first syllable). But, as I know how 
terribly difficult it is to make sounds in the well-over-twenty-seven 
native Alaskan languages (some with only one or two remaining speakers), I 
would certainly try to say any word as those who speak and live among the 
natives do.

Bob's story is superb, by the way!


At 11:01 AM 8/29/2002 -0800, you wrote:

>     Tlingit pronunciation isn't always easy for those of us who grew up
>speaking English as a
>first language! They have 10 or so sounds that we don't have.
>     We were told that we could pronounce 'Tlingit' as 'Klin-get', with a
>hard 'k' and the accent
>on the second syllable. That isn't entirely correct, but it is close. (The
>spelling is from an
>American mispronunciation of a Russian mispronunciation of the original
>Tlingit!  Is that
>confusing enough?!)

Tom LeTourneau
Wells, Maine

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