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Monday, April 7, 2008

Explain about ... Scottish pronounciation

The names of most Scottish whisky distilleries are determined from their location. Many of these are derived from the Gaelic language and a lot of people find them hard to pronounce. I have heard some very funny attempts at some of the distillery names, so I thought it would be a good idea to tackle some Gaelic pronounciation. Some are easier than others. Below is a list of some of the trickier ones, with the correct pronounciation in brackets. Hopefully this will help understand a bit about how the Scottish language works.

Allt-a-bhainne (olt-a-vane), Auchentoshan (ocken-toshun), Auchroisk (ar-thrusk), Balvenie (bal-vaynee), Bruichladdich (brook-laddie), Bunnahabhain (boo-na-harvun), Caol Ila (kool-eela), Caperdonich (kappa-doe-nick), Cardhu (kar-doo), Clynelish (kline-leesh), Craigellachie (craig-ella-key), Dailuaine (dal-yewan), Edradour (edra-dower), Glen Garioch (glen-geery), Glenallachie (glen-alla-key,) Glenfiddich (glen-fiddick), Glenglassaugh (glen-glassoff), Glenmorangie (glen-morrun-jee), Glenugie (glen-oojee), Lagavulin (laga-voolin), Laphroaig (la-froyg), Ledaig (lay-chuck), Pittyvaich (pitty-vek), Poit Dhubh (posh-doo), Strathisla (strath-eye-la), Tamdhu (tam-doo), Tamnavulin (tamna-voolin), Te Bheag (chay-vek), Teaninich (teen-inik), Tomintoul (tom-in-towel), Tullibardine (tully-bar-dee).

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