Pronunciation

[gordontaos]

I am doing a bit of research into "The Scottish Horse", a private military unit founded during the Boer War.
Their leader was the Marquis of Tullibardine.
How is the title "Marquis" pronounced in Scotland? Is it MarKee or MarKwis, or something else?
Thanks in advance.

Gordon

[Jock Scot]

"Markwiss", in the UK.

[ForresterModern]

"Markwiss", in the UK.

At least that is how they pronounced it throughout the whole movie "Rob Roy".

HI jock.

[BoldHighlander]

I am doing a bit of research into "The Scottish Horse", a private military unit founded during the Boer War.
Their leader was the Marquis of Tullibardine.
How is the title "Marquis" pronounced in Scotland? Is it MarKee or MarKwis, or something else?
Thanks in advance.

Gordon

Hi Gordon,

The Marquis also help found the Transvaal Scottish Volunteers (later the Transvaal Scottish Regiment):

from http://www.jocks.co.za/history.htm:
Historical Background -- The regiment was founded in 1902, under the name of the Transvaal Scottish Volunteers, at the conclusion of the Second Anglo-Boer War (also known as "The Boer War"). Lieutenant Colonel the Marquis of Tullibardine, heir to the dukedom of Atholl, worked closely with local Caledonian societies in this regard to ensure that membership was strongly Scottish. The new unit wore his family tartan, and its regimental march was Atholl Highlanders. It took the form of a large battalion with companies in major Transvaal towns.
A detachment saw service in the Natal Rebellion of 1906, but it was not until January 1914, shortly before the start of World War I, that the regiment suffered its first casualty. This was a private soldier killed during the suppression of strike-related violence and sabotage on the Witwatersrand.


Scottish Horse Slouch Hat
(presented by Lord Bruce Murray, Marquis of Tullibardine, June 1996)

Worn by the Marquis of Tullibardine, founder of the Transvaal Scottish Volunteers on his return to Scotland in 1902 as Officer Commanding the Scottish Horse (Yeomanry).

Notes: The inside label indicates the manufacturer, "Lincoln Bennet, Sackville Street, Piccadilly, London".

Also, only the Commanding Officer would wear the silk Murray of Athol tartan in the pogri.

Having founded the Regiment, the Marquis of Tullibardine recommended that the new Regiment used the Scottish Horse slouch hat and black cock feather. This head dress was only used in the period 1902 to 1906.




The Regimental Museum

Transvaal Scottish Regimental Association

[sfb]

Not only is that a rather good looking hat, it's got quite the best name for a hat I've ever heard.

[BoldHighlander]

Not only is that a rather good looking hat, it's got quite the best name for a hat I've ever heard.

Indeed!

I was thinking something along these lines (w/ my clan badge) would look mighty nice & shady to wear on a hot sunny summer day at the local games, rather than a wee wool bonnet

I should contact my mate down under to send me an Australian horse slouch hat

[wildrover]

"Markwiss", in the UK.

http://wordwenches.typepad.com/word_...ciation_d.html

Indeed.

And they are absolutely correct about Americans wanting to say "marKEE" rather than "MARkwiss"...we have more than a few French roots in American English. I had to look it up...I just wasn't ready to believe "MARkwiss" wasn't simply a bastardization, like people in the states call "Bellefontaine" "Bell Fountain".

-Sean

[BoldHighlander]

I thought I might post a few images of the Scottish Horse

Lieutenant William John English
2nd Scottish Horse
3rd July 1901

"This young officer belonged to one of the corps raised during the Boer War—a corps, as its name implies, of men from that part of Great Britain celebrated for their hardiness and fighting powers. This grand body of men has, however, been disbanded since peace was restored in South Africa, but its achievements will not be easily forgotten. At Vlakfontein the Boers made a most determined attack upon our position, the extreme right of which was held by Lieutenant English and five men. Though of his small party two were killed and two wounded, the position was most gallantly held " owing to this officer's personal pluck." As time went on, ammunition ran short, and he went for a fresh supply to the next party, having to cross over fifteen yards of open ground, within thirty yards of the enemy, under a very heavy fire. Received the Victoria Cross at the hands of H.M. the King on July 1902, in London."



Members of the 2nd Scottish Horse in South Africa during the Boer War:



Wounded Scottish Horse member, the Imperial Yeoman Hospital:



Scottish Horse (WW1):



I couldn't close without including this image of Captain Arnold Statham Milne, Transvaal Scottish Volunteers, wearing the afore mentioned Scottish Horse slouch hat

[gordontaos]

Thank you all for your rapid and thorough replies. It certainly is an education being a member of this group.
Mar Kwis it is, and ever shall be.

[CDNSushi]

Sounds right to me too. But wouldn't the subject's provenance make some difference? I mean, to me, both mar-KEE and mar-KWIS sound fine (even though I personally use mar-KEE)... But in some instances, for example when I know the person is French, mar-KWIS just doesn't sound right to me.

Eg.

Donatien Alphonse François, Marquis de Sade

I just can't imagine "mar-KWIS de Sade" as sounding correct. Only "mar-KEE de Sade."

On the other hand, if it's a place like "The Marquis Hotel" I imagine that local custom would be the rule... If the locals all tend to say "mar-KWIS" you might be looked at funny for saying something different.