William Sansom Vaux (1 Viewer)

Ian Lewis · Jul 31, 2014

How would William Sansom Vaux have pronounced his surname?

On a recent trip to Mexico the Brits on the tour said 'Vow's' Swift, the Belgium tour leader 'Vor's' Swift whilst the Americans called them 'Vawkes' Swift.

Ian

njlarsen · Jul 31, 2014

I have always thought of that name as 'Vou's Swift

Niels

Edit: in Vou, the 'ou' part is more one sound than two when I think about it.

Richard Klim · Jul 31, 2014

Kevin McGowan: Dr. Language Person's Guide to Bird Name Pronunciations...

VAUX'S (Swift) - Here again we have a bird named for a person, this time William S. Vaux, and we need to know how he pronounced it. Those of you with training in French probably, and understandably, think you pronounce it as would the French - "vo" with a silent x. But you are WRONG (and probably pretentious too). Terres and Websters lists it as "vauks." I talked to someone once who knew some relative of William Vaux and said that they pronounced it "vauks."

Daniel Philippe · Jul 31, 2014

Kevin McGovan said:
But you are WRONG (and probably pretentious too)

Ouch !

Richard Klim · Jul 31, 2014

Daniel Philippe said:
Ouch !

Daniel, your post makes it look as if I said that! I was just innocently quoting...

Btw, I once owned a 'Vo-hall' Astra.

Daniel Philippe · Jul 31, 2014

Richard Klim said:
Daniel, your post makes it look as if I said that! I was just innocently quoting...

Btw, I once owned a 'Vo-hall' Astra.

Sorry ! Fixed now.

Btw Mercedes is better

Richard Klim · Jul 31, 2014

Daniel Philippe said:
Btw Mercedes is better

If I bought fewer bird books, perhaps I could afford a Mercedes. :smoke:

Ian Lewis · Jul 31, 2014

Many thanks for your quick and amusing replies. Seems the American birders got it right.

Ian

nartreb · Jul 31, 2014

Kevin McGowan said:
{some of you} think you pronounce it as would the French... you are WRONG

I think I know how I pronounce a name. How others, including Mr Vaux, pronounce it is none of my concern.

William Sansom Vaux (1 Viewer)

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Ian Lewis

aka Gryllo

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Richard Klim

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Daniel Philippe

Well-known member

Richard Klim

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Daniel Philippe

Well-known member

Richard Klim

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Ian Lewis

aka Gryllo

nartreb

Speak softly and carry a long lens

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