Re: Pronunciation Question

[Raymond Ancog <rayancog@pacific.net.ph>]

John Conway wrote:

> Pteryx = feather (TEH-ricks). Gnathus = jaw (NATH-us). So the letters are 
> supposed to be silent. There was a discussion on the vert. paleo. list a 
> couple of months ago about this, and it was (somewhat) agreed that since 
> our pronunciation of greek/latin is so bad anyway, we should not worry too 
> much about it. Unless, of course, it might result in serious miscommunication.
>
> As most people pronounce the "P" in Archaeopteryx, and the "G" in 
> Compsognathus, miscommunication is unlikely.

I agree. Anyway, for the purists, the "p" is silent, and "gn" in Latin (and 
Italian too if I'm not mistaken) is like the Spanish "ñ". Quite easy to 
pronounce in the middle of a word, but in the beginning of a word might be 
difficult, as in "gnathostomata" unless you're used to it.


Raymond Thaddeus C. Ancog
Mines and Geosciences Bureau
Philippines