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  1. #1
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    Correct Pronunciation Request -Clachnaharry?

    My grandparents immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1919. In his later years my Grandfather started to write his life story. He was born in Glasgow where his father worked in the shipyards. However, his father, and apparently the family for many generations before him were from the village of Chachnaharry which is now part of the City of Inverness. Can one of our resident Scots help me out with the pronunciation of Clachnaharry? I have always said it like it is spelled but I realize I could be quite wrong.

  2. #2
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    klak-nuh-har'ree. You are probably pronouncing it correctly. The pub has a superb selection of real ales!

  3. #3
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    Well, sounds like I have not been far off. I knew my Grandfather well so perhaps I even heard him say it but I only consiously became aware of our family connection to the place when I read his memoire. I will reslove to visit the place and raise a pint or two of real ale in memory of my ancestors. Thank you.

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by ThistleDown View Post
    klak-nuh-har'ree. You are probably pronouncing it correctly. The pub has a superb selection of real ales!

    Does it become easier to pronounce the longer you are at the pub?
    If you see abbreviations, initials or acronyms you do not know the Xmarks FAQ section on abbreviations may help.

    www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/faq.php?faq=xmarks_faq#faq_faq_abbr

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Friday View Post
    Does it become easier to pronounce the longer you are at the pub?
    Every day except friday when the polis are parked down the road.

  6. #6
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    Clachnaharry doesn't have much in history to commend it (other than that it was the concluding place of a running fight between the Clanchattan and Munros and its position as the the canal-end) but in pre-history it was probably of great importance. I kniow the name to mean the place of rocks, but I can't tell you whether it has its origin in Gaelic, Norse or an earlier language such as Pictish.
    Last edited by ThistleDown; 7th August 12 at 08:20 PM.

  7. #7
    Phil is offline Membership Revoked for repeated rule violations.
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    Quote Originally Posted by ThistleDown View Post
    klak-nuh-har'ree. You are probably pronouncing it correctly. The pub has a superb selection of real ales!
    Sadly you are not pronouncing it correctly. You are, in fact, making the same mistake as most non-native speakers do with regard to the "ch" sound found in words such as 'loch' and 'broch'. Imagine the composer J.S. Bach or the film star Barbara Bach (always assuming you are able to pronounce their names correctly, that is). Alternatively, when pronouncing the word 'back' be aware of where your tongue touches the roof of your mouth when saying the 'ck'. Then deliberately stop your tongue from touching the roof of your mouth but keep the breath coming and you should achieve the correct 'ch' sound. It is known as the voiceless velar fricative replacing the ck sound in back. That wasn't difficult now, was it?
    Now pronounce it - "clach na harry".
    I am most surprised at your pronunciation advice, ThistleDown, given your stated Location as Inverness-shire.
    Last edited by Phil; 8th August 12 at 06:10 AM.

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