GNUS ABOUT NGAIO

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 165, 15 July 1939, Page 3 (Supplement)

GNUS ABOUT NGAIO

rvIFFICULTY has arisen in the U United States over the pronunciation of the name of our own Ngaio Marsh. According to the "Wilson Bulletin for Librarians," the American publishers of Miss Marsh, "rising young English detective story writer," recently announced that Miss Marsh's Christian name might be pronounced either "Gay-o" or "Guy-o." It did not matter much which, so long as the "n" was silent. We may first demur to the statement that Mis* Marsh is rising, and then to the description of her as English. An author with half a dozen stories to her l«cn who is compared to Dorothy Savers, may fairly bo said to have risen. Then "English"; may we not have the credit of producing the creator of Inspector Alleyn? We may suppose, however, that in the United State* it pays to describe a writer from anywhere in the British Commonwealth as English. "N'ew Zealand ?"' asked a member of an .American

university etaff the other day on being introduced to a New Zealander. "That's somewhere in England, isn't it?" But to go on with the story, Miss Marsh's English publishers promptly weighed in with the statement that Miss Marsh should be called "Xy-o," with the "g" silent as in "gnu." "We do wish they'd get together," comments the

By--Cyrano

"Wilson Bnlletin." "In the meantime, we can't help thinking that anyone who clings to such a name deserves whatever happens—even to being called , (and we actually heard this at a book counter) 'Xaggio.'" From one point of view this is good news. Miss Marsh has at least one reader in America. Miss Marsh's parents, of course, had a perfect right to call her Xgaio. It is a good Maori word, the name of a handsome tree, which grows about me ae I write. Street planters and gardeners

could make more use of the ngaio. The word also means expert, clever. Whether it is entirely suitable as a name for a writer may be doubted. Personally, 1 think it is, but that may be because 1 know how to pronounce" it. The name is distinctive; outside Xew Zealand indeed it is unique. But if you really think it is pronounced '"Xaggio," it may prejudice you against the author. Possibly mere uncertainty about the name may put possible buyers off. I have never bought a book by Mr. Alec Waugh, but if I had been disposed to do so I should have been slightly embarrasaed. How should I have asked for it? Was the name "Waw," or "Woff," or "Wuffr , I understand now that it is 'Waw." Then there is a writer called Mrs. de la Pasture. Until recently, if I had asked for a book by her. I should have spoken her name as written, but I happened to hear her called '"Mrs. de Lappature," which I assume is correct. What a narrow escape! How do they get on with this name in America ? Pronounce it as written, I suppose. They haven't the same responsibility as Britons in these matters. If "Cholmondeley" ir. "C-h-o->m-o-n-d-e-l-y" to them, the chance of anyone freezing them with a stony stare of correction is small.

We New Zealanders are used to this sort of tiling , , "Xgaruawahia" has often been mutilated into "Xaggerawya. , "Xgauruhoe " becomes " Xasgerahoo."' "Xgnunguru" is "Gunguru." Newcomers smiles at "Papatoetoe," but i* it really any more amusing that the English "Big Slaughter" and "Little Slaughter,' or the American "Blackfoot?" We must admit, however, that we ourselves are at fault, for few Europeans in New Zealand sound the Maori "Ng" as it should he sounded. We make it a mere "n," whereas it should He pronounced as the "ng" in "singing." Some Retorts Tf an American seriously objects to the use of words like "Xgaio," we may retort by asking him how he expects us to be certain about the pronunciation of "Sioux" the name of one of the tribes whose warfare used to enthrall vis in the days of our youth, or, for that matter. "Los Angeles." How are we to know that "Chicago" is "Shicawgo?" (I hojM> that's right!), or that "Roosevelt"' is "Rosevelt?" (Or is it Rosefelt?") In England the pitfalls are much more numerous, and if an Englishman waxed sarcastic about our names we could overwhelm him with examples. Why does he call "Majoribanks"' "Marehbanke" or "Marshbanks" and "Mainwaring" "Mannerins?" We could go further and tell him that in many cases he himself isn't certain how *to pronounce names. In England we find both "Derby" and "Darby," and there was once a long discussion, apparently without as to whether the* ancient town of Cirencester wae pronounced as spelt or called "Sissiter." I seem to remember that even in the town iteelf they were not sure. "Compton" is "Cumpton," but it seems to be a toss-up whether "Menzies" is "Minzies" or "Mingies." I understand the new Prime Minister of Australia is "Menzies." If he were to change it to "Mingies" he would probably lose hie seat. It would be worse than Mr. Bruce's epats. Should a Xew Zealander in England have occasion to ring up Mr. Featherstonehaugh and inquire for him as such, and the butler replied that "Mr. Feerstonhaw" was out. it would probably he in a tone that implied the gentleman would continue to be out if he were so addressed. The Colonial could, reply, however: "All right, old man: you're only one. 'Featherstonhaw's' correct, and so is 'Fansliaw' and 'Feestonliay.' You may know the story of the army recruit called Montigup. '"Private Monteeg?" called the sergeant-major at, the first roll-call. Xo answer. "Private Mnnteeg?" Still no answer. "Why don't yon answer your name. Private MontePg?'* '"My name is Mon-ti-gue." '"Ho, is it. Well, you take two days' fat-i-gue!" 8.8.C. Instruction There is so much ignorance and confusion in England that the 8.8.C. has issued a booklet in which it lays down, or tries to lay down, correct pronunciations for a large number of surnames. Such is the perversity of human nature that it is possible when the 8.8.C. has everything r>trai"-'Ui'ii«d out and everybody call* "St. .T-Vm" "Sinjun." etc. etc., etc.. the aristocracy will start changing their pronunciation's. an,l you will be out-ide the Pale if you call Cholmondeley ("hnmley. Meanwhile 1 don't think Mis- Marsh has anything to worry about. The "Wilson Bulletin" has given her a nice advertisement, which I gladly pass on. She deserves it.