There is no "a" in my name

[brynndragon]

I know the lack of vowels is confusing to the non-Welsh, but all native English speakers should know about "sometimes y" (for those who might not be, it acts as "i" in a word that otherwise lacks vowels). As much as I'd like think I could pass as male I really don't, so when I'm standing in front of you there's no excuse for calling me Brian. In written interaction this is even worse - just cut and paste and save yourself the embarrassment.

(This was precipitated by getting an e-mail addressed to "Bryann", replying to an e-mail I signed as "Brynn". Srsly.)

ETA: Just to be clear, my name is pronounced "Brin". In case you weren't sure ;P

Comments

[dragontdc.livejournal.com]

It all goes back to the great Norman-French sacking of Wales in 1069, in which they stole the vast majority of that nation's vowels. Ever since, the Welsh have had to rely on double consonants and a dubious use of the letter "y" to make their language pronounceable. As a result of this action, the French have since had such an abundance of vowels that they long ago gave up on trying to pronounce all of them.

[benndragon.livejournal.com]

Thank you for making me laugh. That reminds me of the R trade between MA and MD, whose history is sadly unknown to me but still continues to this day leading to cahs pahking in Boston and being warshed in Baltimore.

[pezzonovante.livejournal.com]

I have a similar problem with my last name. Everyone assumes that since I'm a Boston area resident, the 'a' sound at the end is just my non-existent accent showing through. And I've had several run-ins where people screw it up in writing as well as in person. How people can see 'Traina' and pronounce it 'Tray-nur' is quite beyond my capacity.

[benndragon.livejournal.com]

Well, they say "warsh" instead of "wash" in parts of Maryland (see comment above) so you might be encountering that accent. But it must get frustrating to say "Traina-with-an-a" and still have them get it wrong because they assume you're referring to the middle of the word. . .

[pezzonovante.livejournal.com]

My usual corrective statement is "it's Italian. It ends with a vowel." It tends to get the point across.

[bleemoo.livejournal.com]

But there is an a in your name. Brynndrgon just looks weird.

:-p

[metahacker.livejournal.com]

With the rise in Bryanne and Briana and Bryanna and Brynnynanynanayanaia's in the near future I unfortunately expect your problem only to worsen. 'scuze me, worshen.

[benndragon.livejournal.com]

But I assume all of those are girl's names (the first being pronounced "Bri-ann") and "Brian" is still exclusively a boy's name. If it had caught on as a girl's name I'd be less annoyed by it. In the above case there's the added bonus of wondering if it was someone subconsciously disbelieving I'm a girl who rides a motorcycle because girls don't ride. . .

(edited for apostrophe abuse)

[metahacker.livejournal.com]

Bree-anne sounds like someone's parent liked cheese too much.

Also, girls who ride motorcycles are HAWHT and the public is slowly realizing they exist... :P