Re: Pronuncing Pittosporum
Kurt wrote:
> I
>remember reading an article once by Christopher Lloyd, wherein he ridiculed
>those who insist upon doing a little 'hiccup' at the end when pronouncing
>specific names based upon surnames, for example: Douglasii, Abramsii,
>Hallii, Robinsonii, etc. He always pronounces such specific names
>Douglas-eye, Abrams-eye, Hall-eye, Robinson-eye, etc., and makes no excuses
>about it. I rather doubt that anyone tries to correct his pronunciation,
>either.
Well, a highly respected nurseryman, old friend *and* adversary of his
- sadly no longer with us, would tease him mercilessly about his
quaint enunciation of certain latinised names. It was all pretty good
humoured at first, but the irascible Lloyd would soon fail to see the
twinkle in the eye and the intended wit.
In no time a full scale row would ensue as they wandered about each
other's respective gardens. Perfectly harmless of course - Lloyd's
'bark' is known to be worse than his bite and the sight and sound of
the two elderly gentlemen bickering in an highly animated fashion was
a source of great hilarity to all onlookers.
Dave Poole
TORQUAY UK
