All these years since the birth of the OGD I have privately wondered what is the correct pronunciation of Bruyninckx, our host's surname. I'll admit that the name doesn't often come up in conversation, but when it has I have only referred to him as 'Kenneth of the OGD' (sounding to me like a member of the Knights Templar). I have never encountered the name elsewhere and I don't think I have ever heard it spoken, or at least I didn't recognize it. It is a sad fact (among many, I'm afraid) that we Americans tend to be ignorant with respect to foreign languages and their correct pronunciation. I would appreciate Kenneth (or anyone, actually) providing the correct phonetic pronunciation of his name.
Next request: Braem, a name that has been subject to various vocal permutations here in the States. With respect to a genus or species name incorporating a proper name, is there any consensus regarding its correct pronunciation? Take, for example, the species epithet 'devonianum'. Should it be pronounced as the English 'Devon', with the accent on the first syllable, and the Latin suffix added at the end, or does the accent shift to the second syllable when pronouncing the species name? In other words, is the proper name part always pronounced as it would be in its native tongue, or should it be adapted to Latin pronunciation? How do you pronounce 'emersonii'? Is there an unequivocal answer to this question? Just thinking between waterings... Regards, Rick Barry _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
