The REAL Rhiannon

singertobe · #1 12-30-2016, 12:41 AM

So I just got my copy of the Welsh Mabinogi and it begins with a guide to pronouncing Welsh names. Naturally Rhiannon was one of those names and I found out WE'VE ALL BEEN WRONG! Its pronounced "Hree-ahn-on."
I would so love to share this with Ms. Nicks herself. What do you think she'd have to say for herself?

annabellee · #2 12-30-2016, 01:11 AM

And would you really say that to Bob Dylan?

James89 · #3 12-30-2016, 10:08 AM

I'm Welsh so I can shed a little light on this. Welsh speakers would pronounce it like that but I have two friends called Rhiannon and their names are pronounced just like the song so it depends on if you speak Welsh or not really.

FuzzyPlum · #4 12-30-2016, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James89

I'm Welsh so I can shed a little light on this. Welsh speakers would pronounce it like that but I have two friends called Rhiannon and their names are pronounced just like the song so it depends on if you speak Welsh or not really.

...and given the majority of Welsh people do not speak fluent Welsh I'd say the majority of people would pronounce it as it is in the song- though Welsh accents can sometimes be a bit more drawn out so Welsh people would say something that sounds like 'Reeanaaan' (at least, that's how they pronounce it in the valleys).

singertobe · #5 12-30-2016, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by annabellee

And would you really say that to Bob Dylan?

Yes! Yes I would

pryderi · #6 12-31-2016, 02:21 PM

I believe she did an interview years back, someone help me, where she pronounced it the correct way but then said that Rhiannon (the song pronunciation) was the prettiest way to say it.

bombaysaffires · #7 12-31-2016, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pryderi

I believe she did an interview years back, someone help me, where she pronounced it the correct way but then said that Rhiannon (the song pronunciation) was the prettiest way to say it.

yes, she did.

she's well aware of the correct Welsh pronunciation but also that it's easiest for people to say and remember as reeeaaannon

singertobe · #8 12-31-2016, 03:02 PM

I wanna see that interview.
While on the topic of Rhiannon, have you guys ever thought of Disney doing the movie? Since she marries a prince, that technically makes her a princess, and I think she would be a perfect addition to their princess line-up.

paleshadow · #9 12-31-2016, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singertobe

I wanna see that interview.
While on the topic of Rhiannon, have you guys ever thought of Disney doing the movie? Since she marries a prince, that technically makes her a princess, and I think she would be a perfect addition to their princess line-up.

She was already an immortal Princess before she married Pwyll. Part of the beauty of that story is that she gave up that life to marry a mortal. It would be cool to see the story on screen, but I think Disney would make it too cutesy.

MoonSister75 · #10 01-01-2017, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singertobe

WE'VE ALL BEEN WRONG! Its pronounced "Hree-ahn-on."

I've been learning Welsh for many years, but it's been a very slow process...

Most non-Welsh speakers would pronounce is as Stevie does.

Welsh speakers use an aspirate sound for the Rh - as you have written... Hree..(I always think of it as rolling the r, but it can also be described as - h followed by r with a hiss)
Welsh speakers also emphasize the second syllable - Hree ahn On

The rh and stressing of second syllable are described well here - https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Welsh/Pronunciation

Happy New Year to all Stevie/FM fans :0)

**SisterNightroad** · #11 01-01-2017, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paleshadow

She was already an immortal Princess before she married Pwyll. Part of the beauty of that story is that she gave up that life to marry a mortal. It would be cool to see the story on screen, but I think Disney would make it too cutesy.

What about Tim Burton? I mean as a movie, not animation.

singertobe · #12 01-01-2017, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SisterNightroad

What about Tim Burton? I mean as a movie, not animation.

Oh dear me NO!

StreetAngel86 · #13 01-01-2017, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoonSister75

Welsh speakers use an aspirate sound for the Rh - as you have written... Hree..(I always think of it as rolling the r, but it can also be described as - h followed by r with a hiss)
Welsh speakers also emphasize the second syllable - Hree ahn On

Happy New Year to all Stevie/FM fans :0)

and now you've got me pronouncing it in the COUNT's voice

one ... one HreeARNon ...

MoonSister75 · #14 01-02-2017, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StreetAngel86

and now you've got me pronouncing it in the COUNT's voice

one ... one HreeARNon ...

Ah yes Count von Count... He featured on a kids program over here during Christmas - The Furchester Hotel. I was surprised to see he's still around

I imagine The Count saying it with a long drawn out aahhhnnn

I think in Welsh it's a shorter ann in the middle, and the emphasis is in the higher tone. Rhi ann (up) on (down again)

(I could be wrong, feel free to correct me anyone...)

FuzzyPlum · #15 01-02-2017, 03:57 PM

Hey singertobe,
I don't think these really shed any light on different Rhiannon pronunciations but they are Welsh Rhiannon songs that you may be interested in hearing;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dJo84QtaD8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wckHKz02Ho

Also, this is Welsh comedian Rhod Gilbert on learning the Welsh language;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvSc...vScUgHcA8Y#t=5

Also, Ali G (Sacha Baron Cohen) learning Welsh;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WnFW5mgPbk