Lerwick/Lerick

[Rhyd6]

Many moons ago I worked with a chap who hailed from this town and he always pronounced it Lerick but I noticed today on the BBC weather forecast that the weatherperson (getting the hang of this gender thing ) pronounced it Lerwick. Anyone any insights into the correct pronounciation?

R6

[kiloran]

I'm in central scotland and I've never heard it pronounced Lerick. Perhaps I've lived a sheltered life.

Norwegian pronunciation?

--kiloran

[swill453]

I think it's a bit like Shrewsbury, and also Gullane in East Lothian - even the locals pronounce it multiple ways, there's no right answer.

Scott.

[AleisterCrowley]

I think it's a bit like Shrewsbury,...

Oh, don't get me started !

Anyway, none of the outsiders get Burwarton and Diddlebury right

[Nimrod103]

I think it's a bit like Shrewsbury,...

Oh, don't get me started !

Anyway, none of the outsiders get Burwarton and Diddlebury right

Nor Wrotham, Meopham, Ightham and Trottiscliffe (so it even happens in Kent).

[Clariman]

The locals (Shetlanders) pronounce it Lerrick. Folk in Central Scotland would normally pronounce it Lerwick.

[EverybodyKnows]

We have many....

Milngavie (mulgai)
Garioch (Geerie)....

[AsleepInYorkshire]

Many moons ago I worked with a chap who hailed from this town and he always pronounced it Lerick but I noticed today on the BBC weather forecast that the weatherperson (getting the hang of this gender thing ) pronounced it Lerwick. Anyone any insights into the correct pronounciation?

R6

Was the weather person blonde with very very big brown eyes

The correct pronounciation is pronunciation

I know, I know ... my coats on and the dogs are coming with me

Bydda i'n cael fy nghôt ac yn siarad â'r fenyw dywydd

AiY

[Rhyd6]

AIY, judging from the forecast you'd be better with your wellies and mac. Not sure which weather woman it was, I have a soft spot for Tomas myself!
Nos da.

R6

[marronier]

Why not ask someone from Berwick upon Tweed.

[redsturgeon]

Why not ask someone from Berwick upon Tweed.

Or Warwick

John

[swill453]

Why not ask someone from Berwick upon Tweed.

Or Warwick

I don't think they'd know, to be honest.

Scott.

[bionichamster]

Why not ask someone from Berwick upon Tweed.

Or Warwick

John

Or Wick......?

[Dod101]

Interesting that. Berwick I know, but Lerick? I have never been to Shetland but from the little I have heard natives speak, they have a very different accent. Is it just that or is it the Berwick syndrome?

I remember being corrected the one and only time I have been to Leominster.

I can confirm that the rule does not apply to Wick. The locals have got a long sound for the 'i' which makes Wick sound to my ears like Weak, as in weather.

Dod

[AleisterCrowley]

Ah Lemmster, land of my fathers (my grandfather's parish was near Leominster)

[Clariman]

Shetland has a very distinct accent as does Birmingham, Glasgow, Essex etc. As I said before a native would pronounce it with a short E and without the W sound.

Culturally and accent-wise Shetland is very distinct from central belt Scotland, while sharing things in common too.

[swill453]

Shetland has a very distinct accent as does Birmingham, Glasgow, Essex etc. As I said before a native would pronounce it with a short E and without the W sound.

And as I said, it's pronounced in multiple ways by the locals, including with the 'w' sound, so there's no single answer.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk%3ALe ... ounciation "In Shetland, and even within Lerwick, there is no accepted right or wrong pronunciation, unlike the examples you give above. The most common pronunciations are variations on Lerwick, Lerick, Lerook and Larook, depending on the local dialect of the speaker. Lerick is probably the most common pronounciation by 'Lerwigians'"

Scott.

[MaraMan]

Even local villages in Sussex like; Cuckfield, Slaugham, Hortsted Keynes and Ansty are almost always pronounced wrongly by those not in the know. I guess it happens everywhere. It's one of many reasons why the UK is such an interesting place.

MM

[Clariman]

Shetland has a very distinct accent as does Birmingham, Glasgow, Essex etc. As I said before a native would pronounce it with a short E and without the W sound.

And as I said, it's pronounced in multiple ways by the locals, including with the 'w' sound, so there's no single answer.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk%3ALe ... ounciation "In Shetland, and even within Lerwick, there is no accepted right or wrong pronunciation, unlike the examples you give above. The most common pronunciations are variations on Lerwick, Lerick, Lerook and Larook, depending on the local dialect of the speaker. Lerick is probably the most common pronounciation by 'Lerwigians'"

Scott.

OK I stand corrected. I thought all Shetlanders pronounced it that way.

[redsturgeon]

This is just part of a wider process whereby speakers who use a word a lot over time will possibly tend to shorten the vowel sounds so War-wick becomes "warrik" and Leo-minster becomes "lemnster" and Wor-ces-ter becomes "wuster".

I have noticed this year a move from Co-vid with a long "o" to "covvid" with a short "o", just makes it quicker and easier to say I suppose.

John