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Pronounciation of Lewes

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contrex

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I don't really understand why the people who live somewhere are automatically entitled to dictate to everyone else how to pronounce the name of that place. Plenty of places have no single 'correct' pronunciation.
 
WesternLancer

WesternLancer

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contrex said:
I don't really understand why the people who live somewhere are automatically entitled to dictate to everyone else how to pronounce the name of that place. Plenty of places have no single 'correct' pronunciation.
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they aren't - but it can be handy if people who live somewhere can help people correctly pronounce it, after all most people do want to be able to say place names correctly - and eg when asking for directions to said place for example - less critical now many people carry digital maps on them of course

but not so long ago I was perplexed by someone asking for directions to a street I'd never heard of in my own town - when they tried a few times (not a UK native) I realised it was a street I knew well and helped them on their way - and told them how to pronounce it in case they needed to ask anyone else.
 
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contrex

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WesternLancer said:
they aren't - but it can be handy if people who live somewhere can help people correctly pronounce it
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I am reminded of the possibly apocryphal tale of the American tourist wanting (why?) to go to 'Loogabarooga'. My father (who was born in Castle Donington and went to Loughborough Grammar School) said it the East Midlands way, but I say it like a southern jessie. My grandfather, originally a Geordie, worked at Messenger's in Loughborough for over 40 years and said it another way.
 
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SuspectUsual

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contrex said:
I am reminded of the possibly apocryphal tale of the American tourist wanting (why?) to go to 'Loogabarooga'. My father (who was born in Castle Donington and went to Loughborough Grammar School) said it the East Midlands way, but I say it like a southern jessie. My grandfather, originally a Geordie, worked at Messenger's in Loughborough for over 40 years and said it another way.
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As a teenager I remember being on a London bus and an American couple sat next to me. They were going to Paddington in order to get a train. The chap turned to me and said “say, is it Reading [as in a book] or Reading [as in Otis]?”
 
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Brightonboy

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zwk500 said:
As somebody who also grew up very much just outside Lewes, I wouldn't say she's pronouncing it wrong, more just an accent thing. She's perhaps slightly overstressing the second syllable, rather than mispronouncing it, IMO.

Although the original pronunciation might well have changed with more people moving into Sussex from other areas and the prevalence of the Isle of Lewis, Lewisham, and the man's name Lewis as reference points.

I would naturally pronounce the second syllable about halfway between 'ess' and 'iss', if I think about it.
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I grew up in Brighton close to the Lewes Road and I'd go along with your suggested pronunciation.....
 
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johntea

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I'm Northern if it makes a difference and my first instinct would always be 'Loos' too for some reason!
 
Strat-tastic

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contrex said:
I am reminded of the possibly apocryphal tale of the American tourist wanting (why?) to go to 'Loogabarooga'. My father (who was born in Castle Donington and went to Loughborough Grammar School) said it the East Midlands way, but I say it like a southern jessie. My grandfather, originally a Geordie, worked at Messenger's in Loughborough for over 40 years and said it another way.
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Thanks to Dave Gorman I now call it Lowbrow :D
 
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Fenchurch SP

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I believe the last syllable of Ardingly (as in the Junction) is pronounced as "lie", like Leigh station near Tonbridge.
 
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PeterC

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In influx of incomers can change a pronunciation. Chesham is invariably pronounced Chesh'm these days rather than the Chess'm used in the 50s.
 
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Dave61

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johntea said:
I'm Northern if it makes a difference and my first instinct would always be 'Loos' too for some reason!
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I'm north of the Watford Gap , so also considered a northerner and my instict when passing through on the excursion the other week was for the 'Loos" as well
 
Trackman

Trackman

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PeterC said:
In influx of incomers can change a pronunciation. Chesham is invariably pronounced Chesh'm these days rather than the Chess'm used in the 50s.
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This is what is happening in Holburn (Hoburn) due to the influx of incomers
 
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contrex

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Fenchurch SP said:
I believe the last syllable of Ardingly (as in the Junction) is pronounced as "lie", like Leigh station near Tonbridge.
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So I understand. However, if anyone had the temerity to correct me, I'd deliberately say it wrong in their presence for ever more. I wouldn't (genuinely) be able to help it.
 
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