Name pronunciation
 

We've all done it and heard it...the mispronunciation of orchid names. For the most part the pronunciation of the genus is not too difficult and can be looked up (Clan orchids). Where I have been corrected and made to feel like a complete ignoramus is when it comes to the pronunciation of the species/grex name.

From a bad encounter with an orchid name snob in my early learning stages, I am still afraid to say an unfamiliar species name out loud for fear of once again encountering the look of disgust and hearing the disappointment in another orchid lovers voice. I would like to think I'm not alone in this, especially if your just learning about orchids.

So the question I have is, does anyone have a trick to learning the correct pronunciation of a species/grex name they would like to share (besides going to your local meetings to hear them said)?

My trick is... When you see a ii at the end of a species/grex, like lowii, the ii is pronounced ee-eye.

I don't have a good trick. I'm always afraid to say them in front of other orchid growers. Luckily when I've had too I've actually been met with understanding. I usually say "not sure how you pronounce this" before attempting it so they know I'm not sure.

One guy at the nursery I like visiting doesn't actually correct me if he has understood what I mean and I sort of wish he would tell me the correct pronunciation. Others have given me the correct pronunciation but in a friendly way because I've invited then to give me the correct pronunciation.

It seems to work... but I do always feel odd when I've read and typed a name so many times but don't know how to say it.

^^+1 I COMPLETELY agree with what Rosie said..... Actually, I was about to reply with the same answer... :coverlaugh:

Name pronunciation
 

:((

RosieC and Island Girl, I think that it's great you both have had such positive experiences!! I wish I had encountered a more understanding person in the beginning; I too mentioned I wasn't sure of exact pronunciation and they almost yelled it at me with a look of disgust! Hopefully, no one else will have that type of experience. For the most part, people that I've encountered in the hobby are very nice and understanding, I just had the unfortunate experience to come in contact with one of those who was not and it stuck with me!

That really sucks that you had such a bad experience :(

Unfortunately, classical Latin, botanical Latin, and church Latin disagree on pronunciation.

From a classical sense "i" is pronounced as "ee", so lowii would be "low-ee-ee", but you're right, "low-ee-eye" is far more common.

Two of my favorites in this are stanhopea and neofinetia.

The first is commonly pronounced "Stan-HOPE-ee-uh", but being named after a Stanhope, it should properly be "Stan-HOPE-uh".

The second one is mostly pronounced "Nee-oh-fin-eh-TEE-uh", and sometimes "Nee-oh-fin-EESH-uh", but as it's named after a French botanist, Finet (Fee-NAY), it really should be "Neo-Fee-NAY-uh". Although, that's no longer a concern, as they are now classified as vandas.

Thank you!

---------- Post added at 09:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:09 AM ----------

Ray, thanks so much for the great information.

I agree with Rosie and Island Girl also. I'm terrible with names so I always mention that I'm not sure how to say the name. I no longer worry about it because I find I can grow better orchids than many of the orchid name snobs. A couple of them have asked me for culture tips.