not a culture question, pronunciation instead
 

I feel sure that I'm asking my question in the wrong forum, but I couldn't figure where to go? I'm sorry.

Would someone please help me with the pronunciation of Tolumnia? Is it pronounced: TolumNIA, ToLUMnia, simply as Tolumnia...with no distinction of any particular "section/portion" (for lack of knowing the correct term) of the word....or if none of these, how?

One last question: does someone know of a list/site (etc.) that will help me with certain orchid pronunciations?

Vicki

Try this
Pronunciation of Orchid Names

Troy Meyers web site usually has pronunciations for the plants he has in flasks.
https://lab.troymeyers.com/flasking/...lask&id=TN7081
I've always thought it toLUMnia, but I usually massacre most of the pronunciations. Don't even think about spelling;).

Bill

Hedge
 

Thank you, Hedge...but, for some reason, this link doesn't open for me ??

For quite sometime, I've had a sporatic problem opening certain sites via link here on the board, opening pictures...occasional posts (etc.) and sometimes even being unable to sign in (luckily, this part doesn't happen often). As I said, all of this doesn't happen all the time, but even sporatically is not good enough for me since I love being a member here and reading all the very helpful and interesting information, comments (etc.) from many people. I only have this issue with Orchid Board, nowhere else, which is confusing to me because, so far, I have not read that anyone else here is dealing with this, as well. Even though I'm not on the subject, I would like to say that I wish very much that I could be of help to other members, but I honestly don't feel as though I'm experienced enough yet to post advice. I would be afraid that I might lead someone in the wrong direction.

If you or anyone could lend any insight on my "opening problem", I would VERY MUCH welcome your comments.

Again, Hedge...thank you for the link! I appreciate your help. (Sorry I typed a book.)
Vicki





---------- Post added at 12:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:41 PM ----------

Thank you for your help, Bill...I now know how to prounce TOLUMNIA = toe-LUM-nee-ah :D
Vicki

Hedge's link was not working, something had gone wrong during posting it I think. I've updated Hedge's post to correct the link, so it should work now.

Even worse, Rosie, when i checked it out, Tolumnia isn't on the beeping List!!!!

Unfortunately, tolumnia is not in that list, and are several pronunciations there that are incorrect.

Vicki, the judges around here put equal stress on each syllable.

Take note : it is Latin...
it is an ancient very old language
it is no longer used in the Catholic high mass on sundays
the Pope only uses it for very special edicts or if he wants to excommunicate someone...or to write new cannon law...
but sadly: the RHS still uses it to classify orchids

you pronounce it as Latin speakers do...syllabicated...
it is not pronounced in the US or British English way
so their dictionaries wont apply

accent on the second syllable: Toh-LUM-nee-ah

in pronouncing orchid names always consult the Latin dictionary (even google or the internet dont have a Latin dictionaly; we are under the mercy of a Library or an old convent)

Unfortunately Bud, classic Latin, "church" Latin, and botanical Latin are not the same...

I did study classic Latin (way back when), so tend to lean that way in my pronunciation, but the entire world, for some unfathomable reason, doesn't agree with me on that.

This drives me crazy. I am always trying to pronounce the Latin names correctly, but I think the fact that Americans are mostly unilingual causes us to want to pronounce foreign words as though they were English words. And since Latin is for all intensive purposes a dead language (in that we cannot consult people of whom this is a first language), I think there will always be debate over pronunciation. This bothers me. Sadly I think I'm just going to continue following whatever pronunciations the "masses" use, and when all else fails go with what sounds right to me.

I would have to respectfully disagree with you there, Bud. Orchid genus names (separate from botanical latin) are merely latinized - whatever that means - versions of all sorts of things: Dendrobium (Greek), Cattleya (English), Chaubardiella (French), Kefersteinia (German), Dracula (Romanian), etc., etc., etc.

I find it far more helpful and natural-sounding to understand the pronunciation of the root and carry that forward into the pronunciation of genus and species. So for Cattleya, for example, I opt for CAT-lee-ya over cat-LEE-ya. (NEVER the horrific cattle-LEE-ya.)

Tolumnia is based on Tolumnius (a character in a Virgil play), which is conventionally pronounced with the accent on the second syllable. So tol-LUM-nee-ya it is for me. :twocents:

well whatever language its origins...its still bastardized latin...or wanna be latin...that they RHS is doing:

Ray is right...no matter what research you do in correct classic Latin: the English speaking world will still insist on their own pronounciation...
but I want my name pronounced as I grew up with...I was in Tokyo and they have a weird way of saying my name and I am deeply disturbed(they called me "bood"...
so I make it a point to listen to the person how to say their name and then I mimic it to the correct accent and syllables...

I hope for your psychological health that they never name a genus for you. Budia would almost certainly be pronounced by nearly everyone as BOOD-ee-a. :lol:

I know exactly what you mean. "Bruce" is seemingly unpronouncable in any language but english (although french-speakers do a reasonably good job). Bruceara would invariably end up being pronounced BRUCEY-ara. :roll:

Dude ! you kill me...LOL

I just try my best to copy people who should know what they are talking about ( pronouncing about?) lol.

I wonder what bob would be if it was Latinized into a species or genus. Lol! Bob-lee-ton e a? Bobclarkeara? Lol

Your confidence may be seriously misplaced.


According to those Wikipedia nuts, the latin for Robert is Rodepertus - which sounds like a perfectly 'normal' orchid genus all by itself. Of course you'll need to change your screen name to Call_Me_Rodepertus. :biggrin:

It vey well may be misplaced confidence. But I do trust these people so it may be correctly places. People like ray and the like. Next school year I'm taking Latin do maybe that will help.

Haha rodepertus! Hahahahahnahahahah that made my day! If I ever discover a new orchid I'll name it that, sounds cool "cattleya rodepertus" hahah too bad my name really isn't bob

Just so there's no misunderstanding, you're absolutely right to have confidence in Ray and many others on this forum. I (stupidly) thought you were referring to me!

Lol. I've never heard you speak in real life so I wouldn't know who to copy :P

rangiku
 

Thank you.

Vicki

I never know with these, but for me the main reason for knowing how to pronounce it is so that other orchid collectors/growers know what I'm talking about.

I therefore tend to ask nursary people at shows or just copy what they seem to be saying. I sometimes have to make an attempt at one, then say "not sure how you pronounce it" in the hope they will tell me. The staff at one of my favourite nursaries tend to be very polite and won't correct me as long as they know what I mean, so I often have to ask for their pronunciation.

Basically I don't really mind if what they tell me is not stricktly right, as long as it matches what people in the UK (those I'm likely to meet at shows) would understand. After all in living languages such as English the pronunciations differ all over the world and it doesn't matter as long as we all understand each other :)

And of course here on OB it doesn't matter how we hear the word in our head, as long as we spell it right so others know what we are 'talking about'.

Anyway, that's just me :biggrin:

RosieC
 

Thank you, Rosie! :D

There wasn't any particular reason I asked....I guess I just wanted to know how to pronounce the name(s) correctly in my head while I was reading one of your (or anyone's) post here on the board.

There aren't any true orchid collectors/growers around here, as far as I know (or at least I haven't met any yet). I even asked the Plant Manager at Lowes if he knew of anyone in particular, and he didn't seem to. Neither is there an orchid nursery...or just a general nursery, for that matter, anywhere in the area. There's not an orchid society less than 50 miles from where I live and honestly, I haven't really tried to find out the exact location, but I've been thinking more lately about doing that.....so I'm not a member anywhere. Neither are there ever any orchid shows, also less than 50 miles from here. You guessed it.....I live in the country! I really love living here, have lived here all of my life, but it would be nice to have some orchid friends nearby to discuss culture, etc. with. Bottom line: Since I've never heard the types of orchids pronounced by anyone, I decided it's finally time I learn more about how they should be spoken.

Thanks again for your reply,
Vicki